It's so interesting to see how a writer can evolve over time...you grow wiser and more 'seasoned.' Look at this example to show how much more mature my writing has gotten since I wrote this book about 20+ years ago. I'm sure I could polish it up one day, and it would take some seriously heavy editing, but I'm too focused on my current book to even THINK about doing it just yet. Compare it to the mystery novel I'm writing NOW, which is still untitled, though I have an idea of what it will be. First is the sample of the 'older' book from 20 years ago "And the Tide Will Turn"... following it will be a small snippet of the LATEST book so you judge for yourself...
CHAPTER ONE
“Yes ma’am,
I’ll be right in.” Diane Richards hung
up the receiver and rushed to her employer’s office. She was only 22 years old and already holding
down a wonderful job at LaRouge, the most successful cosmetic and fashion
corporation in Los Angeles. She was secretary to the Founder and
President, Jacqueline Barrett. Ms.
Barrett was so exciting to work for with her worldly ways and wealth of
knowledge and power. She was in her
mid-50’s but still very beautiful with her lengthy chestnut hair, always
twisted in a sophisticated bun, and a figure just as slim as the models. She was an extremely intelligent woman who
was well-respected in the industry.
“I’m glad
you’ve come in for some constructive criticism.” she smiled.
Taking a nervous breath, Diane sat in the soft chair facing Jacqueline’s
mahogany desk. “Don’t be so nervous,
dear. That’s what I wanted to talk to
you about. You need to loosen up a
bit. You’re an attractive young
woman. Why don’t you ever let that come
out?”
“You think
I’m attractive?” she blushed.
“Oh, don’t
be so modest! You have a wonderful
figure, and your hair is like spun silk, but you just let it lie flat.”
“I don’t
mean to sound ungrateful, Ms. Barrett, but why are you telling me this?”
“I care
about people looking their best. I own
the most popular agency in L.A.,
and I think it’s about time I helped you
out.”
“Thanks, but
I’m afraid it’s hopeless.” her eyes fell
to the plush navy carpeting.
“How do you
expect to improve yourself with that line of thinking? Do you ever hear my models talk like that?”
“They have
no reason to because they are perfect.”
“No one is
perfect, dear. Everyone is beautiful in
their own unique way. My top female
models, Teri and Jeanette, are total opposites, but they are both still
beautiful.” she smiled, “Although they
don’t get along very well.”
“I’ve heard
they argue during every shoot.”
“Let me give
you some friendly advice.” she winked, “Don’t take rumors so seriously.”
“I’m sorry
Ms. Barrett, I didn’t mean…”
“Let’s move
on, shall we?” she smiled patiently,
“Picture Teri – tall, lanky, blonde, and did you know she actually has gray
eyes? I’m sure you’ve also heard she can
be demanding and stubborn.”
“I’m just
grateful she’s nice to me. I wouldn’t
want to be on her bad side.”
Jacqueline
chuckled, “As for Jeanette – she has long, black hair, porcelain skin, and her
eyes are the brightest shade of green I’ve ever seen in this business.”
“How old is
she?”
“She just
turned 25, and Teri is 26. However, you
are the focus of this conversation. For
starters, you could benefit by wearing makeup.”
“I don’t
know the first thing about it. I wasn’t
allowed to wear it when I lived at home.”
“What do you
think I have Allen Mulligan for? He’s
been my makeup man for over five years, and he’s the best!”
“I’ve met
him twice. He’s very nice and very
handsome.” she blushed, “I’ve had a
crush on him since the day I started working here two months ago.”
“Goodness! Nearly all of my models share your sentiments! If you promise to keep this under your hat,
I’ll tell you who his heart really pounds for.”
She had a devilish gleam in her eye.
Diane leaned
forward, hope filling her voice, “I promise not to tell a soul.”
“Jeanette! In fact, they’ve become good friends. He’s nearly 14 years older than her, you
know.”
“Age doesn’t
really matter when it comes to love and matters of the heart.”
“I suppose
you’re right.”
She was
running out of patience, “Doesn’t Jeanette already have a boyfriend?” Why did other women always beat her to the
punch? It wasn’t fair!
“Actually,
she’s got her eye on my top male model, Matt Downing.”
“He’s got
the nicest eyes I’ve ever seen.”
“Oh
yes! Don’t they just melt you? They’re so blue!” she seemed to be off in her own little
world. Diane had never seen her act this
way. She was always so professional and
in control. “Okay, enough of this
gossip.” she stood abruptly, her eyes
twinkling beneath the tortoise shell glasses, “Go down to Allen and get
yourself made over. Just tell him I sent
you.”
“Thank you
so much, Ms. Barrett! I really
appreciate your help.”
“It’s no
trouble at all, dear.” she smiled.
Nervous about facing Allen, Diane
took her time getting there. All she
could think about were his dark eyes, wavy brown hair, the protruding torso,
and those adorable dimples. She had been
captivated with him since the day they met, but she was sure he hadn’t
noticed. Now that she knew he had eyes
for Jeanette, she swore she’d take him away from her.
As she walked
down the stairs, she thought intently.
From now on, she wouldn’t enter this complex unless she looked as
glamorous as Jeanette! It might take a
while, but she’d come out on top.
When she
opened the door to enter his room, he was on the couch, smoking an unfiltered
cigarette and reading the latest gossip rag.
Once he spotted her, he stood.
“Hi
there,” he smiled, revealing those
dimples, “Can I help you?”
“Yes. Ms. Barrett sent me down for a makeover.”
“Ah yes,
you’re her new secretary.” he was still
smiling. The man was always happy! “Sit down, and tell me what you’d like.”
She’d like many
things! Kissing his sexy lips would be a
wonderful start. “Give me the
works.” she giggled, taking a seat.
“Well, your
hair has very nice texture. Would you
like to keep it shoulder length?”
“Yes, but
I’d like a different style. This one is
boring.”
“How about
coloring? Do you want to be adventurous
or stick with the blonde?”
“What do you
think?”
“I’d like to
try auburn. I really think it would suit
you.”
First, he
dyed her hair, layering the sides while leaving the length intact. Her tiny nose was enhanced, her eyes
appearing larger. Once that phase was
finished, he worked on her makeup, applying a light base, tangerine blush, and
matching lipstick.
Before she
could observe the results, Bryan Moore, LaRouge’s ace photographer and Teri’s
beau, barged in, his stocky body hurling the door open.
“Allen, I
need help.” He was panting like a dog.
“What the
hell are you doing?” Allen’s face contorted,
“Don’t just muscle your way in here like that!”
“Teri’s
shooting, and she’s demanding more lip gloss.
It’s the purple stuff. She says
it’s on your dressing table.” he pointed
impatiently, “So, just give it to me,
and she’ll put it on herself. We really
don’t have time for you to do it.”
“She thinks
she can demand anything as if she owns the goddamned world! She’d better start acting like a lady. Why can’t she be more like Jeanette? She’s a perfect lady.” he stomped over to the dressing table, “Take
the gloss and get out of here!” he
tossed the tube.
“Thanks. By the way,”
he was eyeing Diane, “You’re a
looker. What’s your name?”
“Don’t get
any ideas!” Allen boomed, “She’s not a
model.”
“She could
be.”
“I thought
you were in a hurry. Her majesty is
waiting.”
“Look,
Teri’s okay, and she deserves some respect.
You know she’s fragile.”
“Teri,
fragile?” he howled, “You’ve got to be
crazy! We’re not running a kindergarten,
this is a professional organization.
None of us has time to cater to a childish brat. If she refuses to act like an adult, she’s
not going to be treated like one.
Besides, you’re her man, so you should know better than anyone else what
a bitch she is!”
“I wish
you’d get off your high horse once in a while.
Take some time to smell the coffee, pal.
Jeanette isn’t the virgin queen.
Just keep that in mind.” he
slammed the door behind me.
Allen faced
Diane, “I’m sorry about that, but it’s an everyday occurrence around here. You’ll get used to it soon enough. Anyway, look at yourself.” he swung her chair to face the mirror, “I
hope you like what I’ve done.”
“Oh, you’re
a miracle worker!” she jumped out of the
chair and hugged him, “Thank you so much.”
He smiled,
“I was only doing my job, and I had good features to work with. I don’t know why you think so little of
yourself. It’s not very healthy.”
“Oh, but I
looked so homely.” she poured on her
famous modesty routine, “Now I can face
the world. I owe you so much.”
“Don’t be
silly. You can pay me back by going to
lunch with me someday.”
“I’d love
to.” she smiled sweetly. Now she was more determined than ever to make
this man hers. And she was going to do
it, no matter what the cost!
* * * * *
CHAPTER 1
The headaches were back. With it, they brought the tension…the darkness…the
fear. Fear of losing control. He would experience memory loss and start “hunting”
again. The last time this happened, the
outcome was catastrophic….
* * *
Jenny Evans arrived at work…another
annoying day at her measly job as a sales agent for a life insurance
company. It wasn't a job she ever dreamt of, but she fell into it when
times got rough a few years ago, and that bastard, Danny, left her.
Once the economy started to
tank, her last boss told her he had to let her go. She was thriving as a
Manager for a small publishing firm. She had loved reading since she was
a child. She read everything she could get her hands on. She kept a
journal and even wrote poems and stories. Then, she got the droll speech about
how great she was, but they weren't doing so well, her salary was too high,
blah blah blah. So, she wound up on unemployment until her dear friend,
Viv, got her this job.
Jenny was a good sales agent -
always in the top four, but it didn't fulfill her. She needed something
more....
* * *
Viv Williams was a vivacious
35-year old. Her hair looked like spun gold, and she'd be the first to
tell you it came from a bottle. Never pulling punches, she was a blunt,
sassy Jersey girl - but not like those bimbos
plastered on every goddamned tv station, ruining the image of her beloved
state. Pissed her off every time she heard a reference to it. She could make any sailor blush with the way
she cursed, and yet it suited her. She
could somehow get away with it and not have it diminish her femininity at all.
Standing 5'8" and
curvaceous, she was proud of her looks. They had opened doors for
her. Once her high heels opened them, she could show everyone she had a
brain and not just ample boobs. After all, she was the top sales agent at PMS. What a hideous acronym to
overcome, yet she did it. She sold the most life insurance policies every
year at Peter Mann Services.
Why did he have to name his
company after a damn female medical ailment? Typical man, he didn't
think, that's why. Didn't he have a single advisor who could give him a hint it
might not be a good marketing move? No matter. She grinned at
herself in the mirror. She was wearing her favorite red dress. okay
it was bright red and not exactly "appropriate" for work, but she
would throw a nice black blazer over it and add her new shiny pin.
Jenny gave it to her for her
birthday last week - a beautiful crystal snowflake. She was so sweet and
thoughtful. She knew she had her work cut out for her. Jenny was feeling
extra low these days, and she wasn't sure why. Usually, she told her
everything, but she was holding something back....
