Hello again!

This is my second time being featured in Kelly's Block Party and I am VERY excited to be back, particularly because there's this crazy thing happening: my story is being published in the SNOW anthology.

My story is called Tobacco & Pine and... here's the blurb:

Less than a month into 1953, Esther Blake's father Samuel Blake dies unexpectedly. Essie is now alone in the world, save for her vapid stepmother, Evelyn, and her bookish, mostly absent step-brother, Harvey. Soon to inherit her share of Samuel's substantial fortune, Essie's not quite sure what that future will look like, aside from the important things (tea and Hemmingway).

Raymond Carter, the epitome of a suave mid-century bachelor, will play a big part in whatever does await Essie, of that she's certain. She suspects the feeling is mutual... Why else would he turn up uninvited to her father's funeral? And what shocking news does the Blake family lawyer have for Samuel's widow and daughter?

Tobacco and Pine takes Essie out of Manhattan, in too deep with secrets and betrayal, and further than she ever thought she'd be able to go on her own.

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That's right! I went all historical on this sucker. Boom.

I'm allowed to show you an excerpt, too, so here's that... and not much else from me (for now). I've got some more 'behind the scenes' stuff on my page, but saved an extra bit of the story to include HERE (that you won't find on my profile because... reasons.)

Hope you enjoy reading Essie's story as much as I loved writing it!

Lucy x

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Essie reached the bottom of the Blake's grand staircase a good twenty minutes after she was supposed to. She was met by Evelyn Blake's well-practiced once over, framed by an arched brow and filtered through the spotted veil that spilled from her black velvet half-hat. Evelyn made a pointed glance at her wristwatch, let out a genteel sigh, and said, "Well, it's too late to do anything about your hair now, dear." She raised a gloved hand to pat her coiffure and pursed her rose-red lips. "At least black is still the color à la mode."

"And the color du jour," Essie muttered, tucking a rebellious curl behind her ear. From the corner of her eye, she saw Evelyn's son Harvey shift his weight, hands sunk in his pockets. 

Throwing Essie another look—possibly one intended to be sympathetic—Evelyn spun and sashayed away, her voluminous petticoats rustling. She left behind a cloying mixture of French perfume and disapproval.

Essie smoothed her hands over the pleats on her skirt. The woolen fabric itched her skin, despite the multiple layers of undergarments, but she liked it. It made her feel like she could pass for an adult. In her black suit she might be a woman of the world with responsibilities and purpose. Without parents...

She turned her attention to Harvey Beaumont. While technically her step-brother, the intimacy of that label never quite fit them. Essie had grown from a girl into a woman with Harvey as little more than horn-rimmed background noise fading in and out with the seasons.

Harvey's dark eyes were on her now, speaking volumes more than the worried turn of his mouth. She attempted a small smile, more a promise that she would be all right rather than implying that she already was. He stepped forward and embraced her with warm, solid arms.

"Essie..." His deep voice played against her neck, behind her ear.

She took a shaky breath. He smelled like tobacco. And the forest. The dullness in her body dissipated slightly. Her heart thumped underneath her mother's pearls, cold against her breastbone. Harvey pulled back and studied her face. Her cheeks heated under his scrutiny, her mouth dry.

"Just for the record, my mother is a basket case," he said with a straight face. "You look swell. Not that today is about that, but... well, you do."

She kissed his cheek and stepped back. "Thanks for coming today."

Harvey furrowed his brow. "Of course I'm here, Essie. You're... We're family. And Samuel was a wonderful man. He will be missed. By all of us."

Essie lowered her head. Harvey reached out and tucked a finger under her chin, lifting her face until their eyes met. She felt tears sprouting and shook her head to clear them. At this rate, her makeup would be ruined before the day began. Harvey pulled her back into his arms. He didn't say anything, but Essie understood. He was there, and he always would be. They were family.

*   *   *

After the funeral concluded, Essie found herself back in the only home she had ever known. She was surrounded by ebony-clad acquaintances and pâté, her head lost in a haze of second-hand cigarette smoke and the delicate clinking of coffee cups. Not yet twenty-one and already an orphan. Not quite an adult, but definitely not a child. A world of opportunity beckoned—education, career, travel, marriage... She attempted to piece together the fragments of her old life and the new realities that emerged from the gaping hole her father had left.

Practically speaking, Essie knew she was without any sufficient means until her next birthday and the release of her trust fund. She was trying not to remember that she would now be subject to the whims of her vapid stepmother for at least a little while longer. Instead her attention was caught by the notion that her circumstances provided two small comforts. The first was her stepbrother Harvey's steadying presence. The second was the sudden appearance of Raymond Carter.

*   *   *

Several months earlier, Essie was enjoying the lunch special at her favorite diner on Eastbrook and Seventh. She was nose-deep in the latest Hemmingway, and suddenly there he was.

"Excuse me, miss?"

Essie jumped, knocking her leg against the table and splattering coffee across the tabletop. She yanked her paperback out of danger and reached for some napkins. He did too, and their hands brushed against each other. She looked up, startled by the intimacy of his warm skin.

"I'm so sorry, I—" He stopped. Their eyes met. Her breathing quickened. There was a comforting familiarity to his features. It felt like they had been meeting like this for years, for centuries. Her face heated. His seemed to do the same.

He gestured to the crowded dining room. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but would you mind lending me a seat in your booth? It's a madhouse in here today." He grinned, and a set of straight white teeth peeked out.

"No, not at all. I mean—yes, of course." Essie gestured to the empty seat opposite her. "Please."

He placed his hat on the upholstered bench and slid in next to it. "Is your book OK?" he asked.

She nodded. "No lasting damage." Her tongue felt too big for her mouth, cumbersome and sluggish.

He laughed again and stuck out his hand. "Raymond Carter."

Essie hesitated before reciprocating. "Esther Blake."

If he recognized the name, he didn't show it. "It is an absolute pleasure to meet you, Miss Blake."

The veil of familiarity that Essie felt toward him lifted, inviting something intoxicating into her chest. He bowed his head and pressed his lips to the back of her hand, his hot breath sweeping over her knuckles. She was grateful for the seat beneath her legs.

"Likewise, Mr. Carter." Essie smiled demurely, letting her book drop onto the table with a dull thud.

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Lucy Rhodes is a writer, poet and graphic designer.

Tobacco & Pineanthology will be her first published work and she is CRAZY EXCITED!

Aside from the SNOW anthology, Lucy is currently working on finishing her first novel Ashes to Ashes, a contemporary romantic comedy-slash-not your average ChickLit novel. Ashes to Ashes is available to read, in its current state, on Wattpad for FREE!

As a designer, Lucy works with writers to create customised book covers, kick-ass websites, and scroll-stopping social media graphics that effectively market to online readers. Lucy's clients are international best-selling authors, Wattpad Stars, Wattys award winners, and authors signed to big publishing houses.

Lucy worked with all the authors involved in SNOW to create individual covers for each of their stories, as well as creating the main cover for the anthology.

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P.S. Don't forget to enter the 130+ #WattpadBlockParty Giveaways! Clickable links are at the top of my Wattpad profile! :)

GIVEAWAY LINK ONE:

http://kellyanneblountauthor.blogspot.com/2017/01/giveaways-for-wattpad-block-party_31.html

GIVEAWAY LINK TWO (with Widgets):

http://kellyanneblountauthor.blogspot.com/2017/01/giveaways-with-widgets-for-wattpad.html

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BUY LINKS:
Amazon: http://getbook.at/SnowAnthology
iBooks: https://itun.es/us/EX1Nib.l
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/snow-kelly-blount/1126023141
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/snow-49