April Excerpt of "Violets Are Blue"

Because the purpose of this event is twofold--to commemorate the Titanic AND to celebrate the completion and hopeful publication of my book--I think it is most important to include several excerpts of Violets Are Blue, to be posted on this blog throughout the course of the event. One every month, to be exact. :) Shall that suit you?

This first excerpt is one of my favorite parts in the book because it deals with Ethan and Vi's first meeting. Enjoy, and please let me know if you have any suggestions on how to improve it. :)

The next day I went to the butcher’s shop to buy some meat. To my surprise, the butcher, Mr. Peterson, was not there. In his place was a young man who looked to be about sixteen. I bought the meat and was turning to leave when the young man tapped my shoulder.

“You would be Miss Bradshaw, correct?” he asked.

I whirled quickly. “Sir, how do you know my name?”

“My uncle has told me all about you. He says you come every Wednesday to buy a pound of meat, normally whatever we have on sale. Is that true?”

“I don’t know why that would be any of your business, sir. And who might your uncle be?”

“I’m not ‘sir,’ I’m Ethan. And my uncle’s the butcher. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Bradshaw.” He held out is hand in a friendly gesture.

I dropped a curtsy. “And I’m not ‘Miss Bradshaw’—I’m just Violet.”

He grinned, then gestured toward my basket. “Is that enough to feed your family? I was sure that there were nine of you.”

“We get along well enough,” I said stubbornly, blushing. 

“Now, I didn’t mean to offend you, Violet,” Ethan said quickly. “It just didn’t seem like much meat to be taking home to a large family.”

“It’s all we can afford,” I said softly. I curtsied once more, than left the shop.