Today is #sixsunday where writers share six sentences from their work. I’ll share a snippet from my time-travel romance WIP tentatively titled MUST LOVE BREECHES, which is now out in query land! (You can see the other entries here.) Just found out yesterday that it finaled in the SARA Merritt Contest in the paranormal category.
Here’s my new pitch/logline: When a thoroughly modern girl finds herself stranded in 1834 London, she must find a way home while navigating the pitfalls of London society, resisting her attraction to a hunky lord, and ultimately having to decide when her true home lies.
Since everyone’s been enjoying her ride in the curricle with Lord Montagu, I thought I’d pick up exactly where we left off last week. It seems appropriate too, since what he asks her in a bit is the Act One break/turning point. This is from Isabelle’s POV, and she and Lord Montagu are in a curricle (a type of carriage) in Hyde Park. She’s only been back in time for two days and he’s just called on her to ask her to go on this ride with him:
Weird, so, this was a date? Well, as close as it got with these people? The idea almost made her laugh, but it really wasn’t that funny. This slower, more distant type of courtship was actually much more stimulating, more exciting. And oddly, more intimate, though that didn’t make much sense. Oh, girl, this isn’t good.
As always I welcome constructive feedback. Thank you!
To see snippets from others who are participating or to sign up yourself, visit here.
Thank you to everyone who comes by and comments each week! Have a great Sunday!
| 
Wendy S. Russo
/ March 25, 2012I like her introspection here, recognizing the intimacy of courtship at a distance. Her reaction to it is wonderful.
Stephanie
/ March 25, 2012You do a great job of showing the UST, and Isabelle’s voice his spot-on.
Lisa Fox
/ March 25, 2012Actually, it sounds very good. Lol! Great six!
Donna Cummings
/ March 25, 2012Ahh, she’s hit exactly on what appeals about this time period.
Her voice is such a great contrast to that, too. Great job.
Paula Martin
/ March 25, 2012Great six – love her thoughts about the slower courtship being more exciting.
Kate Meader
/ March 25, 2012I love her internal back-and-forth and how her ultimate declaration is that, yes, she’s in trouble! Great six!
DeAnna Felthauser
/ March 25, 2012I think she’s enjoying this more romantic type of courtship! Lovely six
angela quarles
/ March 25, 2012Yep, as she discovers, it’s more her “speed”
Rebecca Hart
/ March 25, 2012Love the modern vs old world charm of this story. Enjoyed the six
Joya Fields
/ March 25, 2012Excellent job really getting into her POV, Angela. I feel her confusion with her. Very cool that she is appreciating this new world, and finding things she likes better than her usual world. Keep up the great work.
Debra Moore
/ March 25, 2012“Weird, so this was a date?” Can’t tell you how many times I’ve said that myself… LOL Well done!
Cara Bristol
/ March 25, 2012So true. Slow is more seductive!
K.E. Saxon
/ March 25, 2012Yep, like Tom Petty said: The waiting is the hardest part. I love that she’s enticed by the slow courtship rituals. Great six and I love this story!!
Claire Gillian
/ March 25, 2012I love her insight and comparison of courting then and now. Congrats on finaling in the contest and with the querying.
Sue
/ March 25, 2012oh so true – I’m doing an historical also, as you know, and the slower pace is definaitely sexier. love this
Sarah W
/ March 25, 2012No, no, girl—this is very good!
Ursula Grey
/ March 25, 2012Fabulous six:-) I love the time travel genre ~ hope this comes out of query land soon! Congrats on the contest news:-)
angela quarles
/ March 25, 2012Thanks Ursula!
Guilie
/ March 25, 2012Nice six, Natalie! Love how her paradigms are shifting, if grudgingly. We “modernites” tend to knock down the past for the chauvinism, the lack of “equality”, the patronizing attitudes… But when we changed all that, what did we lose? Not to say it needs to be one or the other, but perhaps in the process of modernity we’ve let some things, valuable things, go as well. Good luck with the querying, Natalie!
angela quarles
/ March 25, 2012Thanks! I so agree! That’s what makes that time period so fascinating. I really do feel like we’ve lost some things in the transition…
Jessica Knauss
/ March 25, 2012Congrats on being a finalist! This does look like a much better time travel book than I’ve read before.
Janey Falls
/ March 25, 2012Congrats and good luck! I can’t wait to read more from this WIP…and I love that she knows she’s headed for trouble there! Great six.
Steven Montano
/ March 25, 2012Wonderful inner character voice, as always!
Carly Fall
/ March 25, 2012Angela,
First, congrats on your awards. That is awesome!!
Great six as well. Interesting to think about…the more space, the more intimacy. Nicely done.
Candice Bundy
/ March 25, 2012I love her confusion over switching gears. I know I’d feel it too, so it drives it home. Well done!
Sabrina Garie
/ March 25, 2012Great six. Congrats on the Sarah Merritt contest. This story is really moving and you can see it in the writing.
sueannbowlingauthor
/ March 25, 2012Slow? Two days? Isn’t he moving scandelously fast for his times?
angela quarles
/ March 25, 2012It’s just a carriage ride at this point, so no moves… which is what is intriguing her
Also, in some ways they moved faster. Wasn’t unknown at all for guys to dance with a lady and the next day ask for her hand…
Chantel Rhondeau
/ March 25, 2012One of the things I love best about your novel is Isabelle’s comparisons of the differences between her time and Lord Montague’s. This is a perfect example. Great job!
Liz Crowe
/ March 25, 2012well done.
Kate
/ March 25, 2012When do I get to go back in time for one of those curricle rides in the park? Lovely six.
Jalisa Blackman (@J_M_Blackman)
/ March 25, 2012But it does make sense. Time allows for the slow burn to build to a consuming fire–and she’s clearly on the receiving end of the heat. I love to hear her inner monologue. She’s got a good sense of humor.
Sandra Sookoo
/ March 25, 2012Loved it!
Jo-Ann Carson
/ March 25, 2012Awesome six. It leaves me with so many questions.
Jessica Subject
/ March 25, 2012Congrats! A great six to illustrate how much we’ve changed.
Skye Warren
/ March 25, 2012Oh great. I love how we’re seeing the past the past through her eyes and how she appreciates it.
indylinda
/ March 25, 2012This is a brilliant idea, to do a time-travel to the regency period. It allows you to comment on so many things in the regency era, from the modern reader’s perspective. Good luck with your queries!
Mae Clair
/ March 25, 2012Great six! Sounds like it will be a fantastic read. I love time travel romances!
Monica Enderle Pierce
/ March 25, 2012Wrong-o! This sounds wonderful! You’ve captured her confusion so well, Angela.
sarahballance
/ March 25, 2012Congrats on finaling! That’s awesome. *grin* And this is a wonderful six and it makes a great point. That slow build of sexual tension is out of this world!
Carmen DeSousa
/ March 25, 2012Oh, I agree… The anticipation is so enticing…I love the build up. And I’m really liking these excerpts.
siobhanmuir
/ March 25, 2012Congratulations on finaling in the SARA Merritt contest, Angela!
Fun six.
Jenna Jaxon
/ March 25, 2012I think she’s liking this courtship way too much! Loved her last line. LOL Congrats on finalling!
Cindy Dwyer
/ March 25, 2012That makes perfect sense – imagine all the anticipation!
Carrie-Anne
/ March 25, 2012I love Isabelle’s voice, and completely agree about a slower-paced courtship with little or no physical contact being more intimate than today’s typical model.
Jennifer Comeaux
/ March 25, 2012Still loving Isabelle’s voice! Congrats on the contests!
Melynda Price
/ March 25, 2012Great job contrasting courtship. Well done
Karysa Faire
/ March 25, 2012Fun six. One of the best love scenes in a comes from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (different culture/time, obviously). Two characters who were in love with one another were sitting, having tea. Neither said anything. Neither touched. Yet it was such a powerfully intimate scene. So yes, I buy (and agree with) her thoughts.
elaine cantrell
/ March 25, 2012I agree with your time traveler!
veronicascott
/ March 25, 2012See I am just totally loving this and wanting to read it ALL in one sitting, not a teaspoonful at a time – I hope it SELLS quick
I keep putting myself in your heroine’s place and enjoying the heck out of it. In the meantime, terrific snippet!
Sandra Bunino (@SandraBunino)
/ March 25, 2012Oh yes, slower is definitely better! Love your six.
Vivien Dean
/ March 25, 2012She might not be enjoying it much yet, but we sure are. Great six!
Sharon Cullen
/ March 25, 2012LOVED that last line.LOL!
Lynne Murray
/ March 25, 2012Congrats on the contest finaling! The feedback and connections sound like they are also valuable. Fun six, flirting if not exactly dating!
Sara Walter Ellwood
/ March 25, 2012Great introspection… Loved it!
Lorraine Paton
/ March 25, 2012I love her perspective on that era.
Looks like she is falling… and enjoying this courtship.
Heather Boyd
/ March 25, 2012Slow can be good. Less chance of mistakes that way. Great six as always
Babette James
/ March 26, 2012Very nice six. I’m enjoying her observations.
silverj
/ March 26, 2012Sorry I’m so late getting around to my SSS favorites. No wifi yesterday.
I love the juxtaposition between her modern sensibilities and adapting to her surroundings. Well done.
Silver James
/ March 26, 2012I hate when my wordpress ID gets messed up. LOL
Jean Marie Ward
/ March 26, 2012Amazing what you find out about yourself when you’re outside your comfort zone. Lovely six, with the added advantage that I got to see today’s Hunk Who Reads, too.
Gem
/ March 28, 2012I love this story and the way you’ve managed to include both eras in the reader’s mind. Awesome plotting and writing.