Dianna's question for me this week: How would Razel's first Christmas with her Prince go?
Now, if you haven't read Razel Dazzle, but would like to read it you may want to skip reading this post because to some degree it is semi-spoiler-ish, but then again if you know what happens at the end of the original fairytale Rapunzel . . . maybe not.
So, read on at your own risk.
For those of you who have so kindly purchased a copy and have indeed read Razel Dazzle - thank you, and I do hope you enjoyed it - you will know that the story is set around Christmas time. Razel and Matthew meet on a Christmas photo shoot, and then later at a New Year Ball - Big Christmas tree taking center stage during this scene lol - but despite it just being the festive season, you may recall Razel yearning to do every day tasks, one in particular is decorating a Christmas tree, something she has never been allowed to do.
Well, Razel now lives with Matthew in his apartment in San Diego along with their three-month-year-old-daughter, Amelia - named after Matthew's mother - and it's their first official Christmas together, and Razel has just gone crazy with the decorations. The tree is massive, almost touches the ceiling and is way to wide. Matthew and Craig didn't have fun getting it up the stairs, but it was worth it to see Razel's excitement. She took her time decorating the huge pine wanting it to be perfect. Once she had finished she moved on to decorating every inch of the house with silly little ornaments, placements, lights . . . oy. You name it. They have it.
Matthew being a man has been rolling his eyes every time she brings more Christmas themed items, but he understands why it is a big deal. And he has been taking pictures like crazy of both of his girls.
Neither Razel or Matthew can cook so they are going out for Christmas dinner with Matthew's good friend, Craig. It would be a shame if they ended up burning their apartment down after she has spent so much time decorating it in gold, red, and green.
And I have a feeling that the little present that Matthew is saving for Christmas evening after they have put Amelia to bed will just make Razel's first Christmas away from her mother, well, the first or many fabulous ones with Matthew. ;-P
And now I think it is only right to share an excerpt. :-)
~ * ~
A moment later, the door of the
dressing room opened, and Gabriella walked out, followed by her team.
“Mr. Prince, may I introduce you
to Razel D’Punz.”
She stepped out of the way, and
he was greeted by a set of ice-blue eyes framed by long, black lashes.
His heartbeat seemed to quicken
as he stepped forward and extended his hand. A small smile fluttered across
Razel’s ruby red lips as she placed her slender right hand into his left. Her
skin, feather soft and almost as white as snow. He raised her hand to his lips,
and then pressed a soft kiss upon her knuckles. The smell of coco butter and
honey flooded his senses.
“It’s a pleasure, Miss D’Punz,”
he commented, meeting her gaze and releasing her hand.
He had seen many pictures of the
young model but looking at her in person, no photo would ever do her justice.
She wasn’t beautiful. She was flawless…breathtaking.
Her oval face beheld a slender
nose and high cheekbones. Her trademark long, golden hair was curled and fell
down her shoulders. She looked so pure and innocent next to her witch of a
mother.
“How would you like me?” Her
voice was like a gentle whisper in his head.
A collision of unexpected and
very unprofessional thoughts erupted in his mind, taking him by surprise. The
thought of them being alone and Razel allowing that red velvet dress she wore
to slide off her body. Of her lying before him, her long hair draped across her
naked flesh, teasing him by covering her breasts and sex. His pants became
tighter, and heat surged through his body. He coughed, attempting to cover the
moan that longed to break from his lips. He could feel everyone’s eyes burning
into him.
“If you would just like to start
near the tree; pretend you’re decorating it. There is a small box of baubles
there for your props.”
Her mother escorted her to the Christmas
tree. The velvet caressed every inch of her body. It seemed to dance across her
skin with each step she took, almost mocking him. He found himself suddenly and
absurdly hating that dress. Hating the way it hugged her graceful curves.
He took a deep breath and
focused on checking his camera.
He could see Gabriella fussing
over her. Moving her hair off her right shoulder, exposing the milky skin
beneath…the gentle dip of the nape of her neck…the top of her right breast….
He pulled his focus from her.
“Are we ready?”
Gabriella grunted, handing Razel
the box before walking out of the shot.
“Ready when you are, Mr.
Prince,” Razel answered, her mouth curved to one side.
“Matthew,” he corrected her.
“Please call me Matthew.”
She nodded, picking a gold decoration
from the box and holding it up to the tree. He began taking pictures,
captivated by the way she moved around the set; comfortable, almost as if she
were home within the small space.
“Smile, Razel,” Gabriella
snapped.
Razel’s lips turned upward at the
command. Her right shoulder dipped forward slightly as her head tilted down and
to the right. There it was; her dazzling smile.
He stared through the lens in
astonishment. The shy, young girl who had walked out of the dressing room had
disappeared. The woman looking back at him reeked of confidence and sheer
sexuality.
He forced his finger to press
the button and continue taking pictures, but he couldn’t help wonder who she
truly was. Was she the shy girl, quiet and almost expressionless, or the
confident woman who craved attention?
~ * ~
Will she let down her hair for the man of her fantasies?
Famous for her long, golden hair and beaming smile, Razel D’Punz is the hottest model in the industry. But although most women would kill to get ahead in this profession, Razel lives an isolated life; one she has learnt to accept...until she meets Matthew Prince, a new photographer in the business.
Refusing to let her mother/agent’s strict rules stop her from spending time with the man of her fantasies, Razel quickly discovers that one night with Matthew isn’t enough....
And neither is the life she is chained to. Something will have to change if she is ever to get her very own Happily Ever After.
Length: Novella|
Content: Fairytale Retelling|
Publisher: Elizabeth Morgan
Purchase: Smashwords|
Barnes&Noble|
Amazon US|
Amazon UK
