Title: Sommerville Days
Author: Vicki Batman
Genre: Romantic Comedy Short Stories
Book Blurb:
Love blossoms in the small town of Sommerville in these heartwarming tales, filled with fun and forever possibilities.
Raving Beauty: What if the love of your life was in front of you all along?
Store Wars: The competition is heating up when Janie's old flame returns to town and is running his family's store. Could following dreams break her heart?
San Diego or Bust: When a young woman plans a romantic getaway with her boyfriend, disaster strikes. Is her Mr. Right the right Mr. Right?
Excerpt from Store Wars:
"This stuff is crap." I ran a finger along the edge of a faux-finished table parked inside the store's entryway, flicking more than a hint of dust from my fingertip.
My best girlfriend, Tracy, and I were scoping out the competition along the Sommerville Historic Depot District, one of which was Tejas Souvenirs, owned by an old flame's mom. So far, no business we'd visited had measured up. The other stores all looked...tacky touristy.
I walked through to the next section, thoroughly disgusted with what lay before me. This store needed major first aid. No quality merchandise anywhere. The overpowering scents of vanilla and cinnamon from the cheap candles loaded on another tabletop caused me to have a major sneezing fit.
Tracy passed a tissue she dug from her front pocket. Her bright blonde curls bounced. "Janie, need this?"
"T'anks." I blew and stuffed the used wad in my pants’ front pocket, praying the urge to let loose again would bypass.
"Why in the world is a huge candle display by the front door, assaulting a customer when he-slash-she walks in? I can't be the only one who's allergic. And look" --I pointed to the section at the top of four steps-- "room diffusers up there. Another brand of candles over there. And yes, people, let's combine those with scented bath products. A whole lotta stinky people and stinky homes are out there in the big wide world."
Excerpt from Raving Beauty:
"I can't believe I let your loony brother, who's tormented me all my life, talk me into this."
With my eye on the teenage competition standing off to one side, I tugged the swimsuit’s leg opening into place to better cover my hip. "Just because I did some modeling in college doesn't make me a pageant diva. Back then, I was incredibly skinny, and clothes fit easily."
"Daniel is a rat. He took advantage of your third, or was it your fourth, margarita, Kelly?" Maggie Ackerman, my best friend and roommate, adjusted the scarlet satin sash draped across my body. Glittery stick-on letters spelled out Miss Yahoo! Ranch Steakhouse. "Don’t worry. You’re beautiful and will be fine. Now, hold still."
I watched her pick my brown hair at the crown of my head with an old-fashioned teasing comb. When the eerie suspicion I resembled a scary dame with Big Texas hair from the television show, “Dallas,” I turned my head to avoid the mirror.
"Close your eyes." She blasted my hair with several short bursts of super freeze-it hairspray. "Now, that ain't goin' nowhere."
Excerpt from San Diego or Bust:
My boyfriend is a dirt wad. I just decided.
With a “humpf,” I dragged my pink tote up the narrow aisle to the plane's exit, accidentally banging it into the sides of the seats along the way. The relieving notion of being back home in Sommerville caused the tension in my chest to fade a smidgen. A quick peek to the exit told me where Davis, my boyfriend, stood waiting for the okay from the ground crew to head out. His glance my way didn't look at all pleasant. Similar to one wrapped in disappointment with a downward tilt of his mouth.
I don't care much. I just decided.
The words creep, jerk, moron, and “why the hell am I still dating him?” jumbled my thoughts around. My heart pounded as anxiety ratcheted my insides again. Maybe I shouldn’t. Maybe I should not put up with him anymore.
Buy Links:
What’s your favorite part about being an author?
I love when an idea hits and my head takes off, allowing me to create something fun.
Here’s my tip to add romance to your love life:
I use this tip for life in general – talk nice to everyone, not snarky, not sarcastic, but with a caring voice.
Giveaway:
Enter to win a $50 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card
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Open internationally
Runs February 1 – 29
Drawing will be held on March 2.
Author Biography:
Vicki Batman has sold many romantic comedy works to magazines, several publishers, and most recently, two humorous romantic mysteries. Along the way, she has picked up some awards and bestsellers. Avid Jazzerciser. Handbag lover. Mahjong player. Yoga practitioner. Movie fan. Book devourer. Chocaholic. Best Mom ever. And adores Handsome Hubby. Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking, "What if??"
Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vicki-Batman-sassy-writer-of-sexy-and-funny-fiction-133506590074451/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VickiBatman/
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Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/author/vickibatman/
Email: vlmbatman@hotmail.com/
Instagram: vickilbatman