Sizzling First Encounters with Janet Dean

by | Jun 22, 2010 | Christian authors | 12 comments

Oh it’s such a great pleasure to have Love Inspired author, Janet Dean visiting us today. Her stories are as sweet as her personality – and they’re definitely not lacking in romantic tension or conflict. Thanks so much for joining the blog series, Janet.

Pepper, I love this blog, the depth of your faith and the beauty of your writing. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share one element of romantic tension with your readers.

It’s my pleasure, Janet. And I’m so glad you’ve chosen Courting the Doctor’s Daughter as your scene today. It’s my favorite of your books. So much internal conflict and spiritual depth. Any interested reader can learn more about Janet’s books at www.janetdean.net

So, let’s get on with the questions. What is one element of great romantic tension? 

With each story I write, I try to bring the hero and heroine together in that first encounter with emotions that ramp the romantic tension yet ring true. For my excerpt today that element is anger. Anger and tension go hand in hand. Though it might appear to be an easy way to add tension to the opening, anger has to come from who these people are. In other words it has to come from what matters to them, from what they experienced in their pasts that make them act and react as they do. When those elements feel real, the clash of a first encounter will feel appropriate, not contrived. For that tension to be romantic, the anger must be accompanied by equally strong attraction. Strong attraction that is contrary to the character’s wishes, yet undeniable. I hope you can see the romantic tension in this excerpt from the first encounter of Mary and Luke in Courting the Doctor’s Daughter, May, 2009.  I hope you see clues as to what motivates Mary’s reaction to Luke. And yet see how much the hero has affected her, even against her will. If I’ve succeeded then the scene will sizzle.   

Mary Graves couldn’t believe her eyes. And the gall of that man. A stranger stood on the seat of his wagon holding up a bottle and making ridiculous claims for its medicinal value with all the fervor of an itinerant evangelist. His Eastern accent grated on her Midwestern ears.

She slipped through the gathering crowd to sneak a closer look. Gazing up at him, Mary pressed a hand to her bodice. The man didn’t resemble any preacher she’d ever seen. Hatless, the stranger’s dark hair lifted in the morning breeze. He’d rolled his white shirtsleeves to his elbows revealing muscled, tanned forearms. He looked more like a gypsy, a member of the marauding bands tramping through the countryside stealing chickens and whatever else wasn’t nailed down—like the Noblesville residents’ hard-earned dollars.

Well, she had no intention of standing by while this quack bilked the town of its money and worse, kept its citizens from seeking legitimate treatment.

Not that her father needed more work. Far from it. Since Doc Roberts died in the spring, her father often worked from sunup to sundown—and sometimes through the night. With the exception of those folks who’d profited from Noblesville’s natural gas boom, most patients paid with produce or an occasional exchange of services.

The peddler raised the container high above his head. “Just two capfuls of this medicine will ease a nervous headache and an upset stomach. It’ll cure your insomnia, but most importantly, this bottle holds the safe solution for a baby’s colic.”

This charlatan attempted to take money out of her father’s all but empty pockets with a potion no doubt containing nothing more than hard liquor or flavored water. Imagine giving such a thing to an infant. But her neighbors nodded their heads, taken in by his nonsensical spiel.

“Imagine, folks, getting a good night’s sleep and waking refreshed to tackle the day,” the peddler went on.

Around her, John Lemming, Roscoe Sullivan and of all people, Pastor Foley reached in their back pockets for their wallets. Even her friend, Martha Cummings, a baby on her hip and two of her youngsters clinging to her skirts, dug into her purse. And everyone knew Martha could squeeze a penny until it bled.

Mary clenched her jaw. Such foolishness. Why couldn’t these people recognize a sham when they saw one?

“Step right up folks, for the sum of—”

“Whatever you’re charging is disgraceful,” Mary called, the words pouring out of her mouth. She turned to her neighbors. “Have you forgotten the swindler who came through here last year, promising his tonic would do all that and more? Not one word of his claims proved true.”

The townspeople stilled. Her gaze locked with the frauds. Suddenly cool on this sunny October morning, Mary tugged her shawl tighter around her shoulders. “You’re preying on these good folks’ worries, knowing full well what’s in that bottle can be found for less money over at O’Reilly’s saloon.” Her deceased husband had hidden his drinking behind the pretext of using it for medicinal purposes.

The man shot her a lazy grin, revealing a dimple in his left cheek, giving him a deceptive aura of innocence. Then he had the audacity to tip an imaginary hat. “Pardon me, Florence Nightingale, but without testing my product, you’ve no cause to condemn it.”

Florence Nightingale indeed. No one in the crowd chuckled as the man had undoubtedly intended. They all knew her, knew she lent a hand in her father’s practice. Knew what had happened to her mother.

Mary folded her arms across her chest. “No right? I’ve seen your kind before….” A lump the size of a walnut lodged in her throat, stopping her words. She blinked rapidly to hold back tears.

Though his smile still remained, the stranger’s eyes darkened into murky pools and every trace of mirth vanished. Good. Maybe now he’d take her seriously.

He leaned toward her. “And what kind is that?”

She cleared her throat, determined not to be undone by this rogue. “The kind of man who instead of putting in a hard day’s work, earns his living cheating others. That nonsense in your hand isn’t worth the price of an empty bottle.”

His eyes narrowed. “Your assessment of my remedy—of my kind—is hardly scientific.”

He jumped to the street and bystanders stepped back, giving him a clear path, a clear path leading directly to her. He stopped inches away from her skirts, his features chiseled as if from stone, his dimple gone. The starkness of that face put a hitch in Mary’s breathing. Her hand lifted to her throat.

“This isn’t a bottle of spirits as you’ve alleged.” He unscrewed the cap and thrust it under her nose. “It’s good medicine.”

She didn’t smell alcohol, only peppermint and honey, but couldn’t make out the origin of another scent.

“Let’s hear what he has to say,” Roscoe Sullivan said.

Roscoe’s rheumatism had been acting up and he probably had trouble sleeping. The poor man dreaded the onset of winter, and no doubt hoped to find a miracle in that bottle. But miracles came from God, not from a peddler with a jarring accent. 

John Lemming, the owner of the livery, waved a hand toward the remedy. “Our baby cries all evening. I’d give a king’s ransom for something to soothe him.”

“If it worked.” Mary exhaled. How could these people be so easily fooled? “Don’t you see, John, he’s in this to fill his pockets and then move on before you folks discover his claims are meaningless. Just like last year’s peddler.”

The stranger smiled, revealing even white teeth. “Since you’re so sure of yourself, Miss Nightingale, why don’t you pay the price of this bottle and investigate the medicine yourself?”

Lifting her chin, she met his amused gaze. How dare the man poke fun at her? And worse, ask her to pay for the privilege of disproving his claims? “And line your pockets? Never!”

He stepped closer. If he intended to intimidate her, she wouldn’t give ground, though her heart rat-a-tatted in her chest.

“Well then, stand aside for those folks who are open-minded enough to give it a try.” He pushed past her and lifted the bottle. “For the price of three dollars, who wants a bottle of my remedy?”

Mary gasped. “Three dollars. Why, that’s highway robbery!” She grabbed his arm, then watched in horror as the bottle slipped out of his hand and hit the ground, shattering the glass. Her neighbors’ gasps drowned out her own.

The man pivoted on a booted heel. “I believe you owe me three dollars,” he said, his voice low, almost a tease.

The liquid trickled between the brick. She lifted her gaze to lock with his. “I’ll pay your price—if you’ll move on to another town.”

His mouth thinned into a stubborn line. “I’m not leaving.”

Perhaps she had a legal way to get rid of this menace. She planted her hands on her hips. “Do you have a permit?”

With that lazy grin and irritating dimple, he reached inside his shirt pocket and retrieved a slip of paper, waving it in front of Mary’s face. Her hands fisted. This rogue had thought of everything.

Nearby, Roscoe and John exchanged a glance, and then both men ran a hand over their mouths, trying to bury a smile and failing. Apparently, her neighbors found the exchange entertaining.

Mary dug into her purse and handed over the money. “You’ve made a handsome profit on this bottle alone, so move on to fleece another town and leave us in peace.”

“I like it here.” He tossed her a smile, as arrogant as the man himself. “I’m staying.”

Though he deserved it, she had no call to give this scoundrel a sharp kick to his shin, but oh, how she’d love to give in to the temptation. Mary closed her eyes and said a quick, silent prayer to conduct herself like a God-fearing woman, not a fishwife. “Well, I don’t want you here.”

John Lemming pulled out three dollars. “If it works, it’ll be worth every cent.”

The peddler gestured to the knot of people crowded around them, opening their purses and wallets. “Looks like you’re in the minority, Miss Nightingale.”

He returned to his wagon and the good citizens of Noblesville started forking over the money, purchasing the worthless stuff the man had undoubtedly concocted out of peppermint and honey. How could they trust him?

Why had her mother befriended such a man? Her stomach knotted and tears stung her eyes. Even five years later, grief caught her unaware, tearing through her like a cyclone. She bit her lip, forcing her gaze on the hawker.   

Surely he didn’t mean to stay. If he did, everyone would discover the worthlessness of his remedy. No, he’d depart in the middle of the night, having a good laugh at the town’s gullibility.

Handing out bottles of his so-called remedy, the stranger glanced her way, shooting her another grin. Obviously, he took pleasure in swindling her friends and neighbors right under her nose. Like a petulant child, she wanted to stomp her foot—right on his instep. That ought to wipe the grin off his haughty face.

As if he read her thoughts, he turned to her. “Best remember the exhortation in the Good Book to love thy enemy.”

How dare he mention the Bible while he duped her neighbors? Still, she had let her temper get the best of her. Love thy enemy was a hard pill to swallow.

Then of all things, the man gave her a wink, as bold as brass. A shimmer of attraction whooshed through her. Aghast at her base feelings, Mary turned on her heel and stalked off.

Behind her, the man chuckled. 

Cheeks burning, Mary strode down Ninth Street and then turned right on Conner. Permit or no permit, she’d find a way to run that peddler out of Noblesville. He represented the last thing she and this town needed—trouble.

 Thank you again, Pepper, for the opportunity to share with your readers. Your blog is a favorite of mine!

Come by tomorrow for another Seeker, Cheryl Wyatt.

12 Comments

  1. Julie Lessman

    Oh, Janet, I just LOVE that scene!! But then I loved the whole book! 🙂 Just reading it now tempts me to reread it …

    Thanks, Pepper, for helping to kick the day off in such a great way, and Janet — can’t wait for the next one, my friend.

    Hugs,
    Julie

    Reply
  2. Melanie Dickerson

    Wow, this is a great scene, Janet! This is the one I haven’t read, too!

    Reply
  3. Janet Dean

    Thanks, Julie! If I can please the Queen of Romantic Tension–you–I’m one happy writer. 🙂

    Hugs back at you.
    Janet

    Reply
  4. Janet Dean

    Hi Melanie, I hope you get a chance to read Courting the Doctor’s Daughter. Congrats again on your debut, The Healer’s Apprentice! I can’t wait to read it!

    Janet

    Reply
  5. Kathy Taylor

    Beautiful! I thought I was too old (smiling) to read romances, but I just changed my mind.

    Reply
  6. Myra Johnson

    Oh, I well remember reading that scene, Janet! Great romantic tension that made me wonder how you would ever get those two together–but wow, did you ever!

    Reply
  7. Janet Dean

    Oh, Kathy, I’m with you. We’re never too old to read romances. Hopefully never too old to write them either. 🙂

    Janet

    Reply
  8. Janet Dean

    Thanks Myra! I love happily ever after endings! Luke and Mary really earned theirs. 🙂

    Janet

    Reply
  9. Sherrinda

    Oh, I love that!!!! There is nothing like anger to fuel the fire of great tension. I bet their romance is a fiery one. 🙂

    Reply
  10. Missy Tippens

    Oh, I loved this book! And especially this scene. 🙂

    Pepper and Janet, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  11. Janet Dean

    Hi Sherrinda. There’s fire and also some surprises. 🙂

    Janet

    Reply
  12. Janet Dean

    Thanks Missy! You all are making my day!

    Janet

    Reply

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