This week we're talking about Cara Bristol's contribution, Wife On The Lam.
After two kids, three moves, and the normal ups and downs of a twenty-two year
domestic discipline marriage, Janelle wants to celebrate their wedding
anniversary with a luxury vacation. But despite subtle hints like leaving a copy
of the Cabana Resort brochure with the Couples' Getaway Package circled in red
on her husband's golf magazine, Brent misses all the clues. Worse, he has a
business trip on their anniversary! Though her bottom might pay for it later,
Janelle decides to take her luxury vacation anyway. Leaving a note and a
casserole, she flies off to the resort. She's going to celebrate, with or
without him.
If anything proves that he's slacked off on his duties as head of household, this stunt of Janelle's does. Brent had booked the Diamond Package at the Cabana Resort to surprise her and planned to present her with the tickets when she took him to airport for his "business trip." She's ruined the surprise, but he's not going to let her ruin their anniversary. It's time to take his errant wife in hand and get their marriage back on track.
If anything proves that he's slacked off on his duties as head of household, this stunt of Janelle's does. Brent had booked the Diamond Package at the Cabana Resort to surprise her and planned to present her with the tickets when she took him to airport for his "business trip." She's ruined the surprise, but he's not going to let her ruin their anniversary. It's time to take his errant wife in hand and get their marriage back on track.
What I particularly enjoyed about this story was its playful nature. I'm a huge fan of Cara's Rod and Cane Society Series, but it was fun to read this story which was so different in its tone and content.
What about everyone else? What did you think of this story? Any scenes that stand out?
How would Janelle and Brent do as Members of the Rod and Cane Society?
I had so much fun writing this story. It didn't feel like work, but play. I think Brent and Janelle would make great Rod and Cane members. I think Janelle would get along with Melania Traynor, probably too well. I could see them getting into a lot of trouble together.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, she and Melania would get into heaps of trouble together and then be confused about why. LOL
DeleteI loved this story. Thanks for featuring it!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to oblige. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI love funny, playful stories. The note that Janelle left Brent, along with a casserole, made me laugh. Like, I'm so pissed at you I'm going away without you, but please eat some dinner!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love that Cara really makes you believe that Janelle had no idea her husband of 22 years is dressed up in a disguise. It's completely implausible, but she writes it in a way where it doesn't seem at all out of the ordinary.
I am waiting for the follow up where we find out Brent is really a CIA operative, I mean how else can he be such a great master of disguise?
heehee. Great point Casey. When I figured out what was going on I thought "darn. She tricked me!" I think it's fun to see a husband who is playful but also firm and Brent was a great balance of those two qualities. He probably learned that at CIA school. :)
Deleteso...we learn his CIA side in the full novel to follow? Right, Cara?
ReplyDeleteAren't we helpful, Cara? LOL
DeleteBrent would make a good CIA operative!
ReplyDeleteEven though Wife on the Lam is a romance, I wrote it as if it were a cozy mystery. The mysteries I love best are the ones where you DON'T figure out whodunit, but you COULD have because the clues were there.
I did seed it with clues to the cowboy's identity:
1. The biggest one is that I mention that Brent had the starring role of Curly in his high school musical, Oklahoma! -- a western in which he played a cowboy. 2. When he gets on board, Janelle notices that his build reminds her Brent. 3. On the plane, Brent knows that Janelle is afraid of flying and then the cowboy distracts her from the landing.
In general, I am trying to make my plots less predictable. I want readers to be surprised.
I totally missed the connection to Curly in Oklahoma. Too funny and very clever.
DeleteI loved those little bits you sprinkled through the story, Cara. It made it fun to guess and hope. It was a sweet and sexy read for sure.
ReplyDeleteIt was sweet and sexy. Good description.
DeleteI loved this story, lots of humor mixed with a serious subject, and it was a fun read. The note and the casserole cracked me up, and the sunburned bum was pretty funny too!
ReplyDeleteI loved the casserole bit too.
DeleteJanelle's backside did get abused by man and nature. ;)
It's a very amusing story. I picked up on your clues about Brent's identity, Cara, so I got that "aha!" moment when you realize you anticipated the punchline of the joke. Love that! It was a good read and made me want to see more by you.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Celeste, to cover these stories week-by-week.
Thanks! These are short stories so weekly works well. I wonder if longer stories should be two weeks instead of a month. I've noticed that participation falls off after about two weeks.
DeleteAny suggestions out there?
I'll jump in here. I think it truly depends on the book. If you can keep coming up with insightful questions that keep the conversation rolling, Celeste, then it shouldn't matter how short or long the focus continues.
DeleteI loved the playful nature of the story, too, and I wanted Brent's 'decision' at the end to be different. I was glad he felt the same. There was one line at the end when they were making up, and it was a simple line, but it did something to me. Brent begins seducing Janelle, and she whispers, 'I like this part.' I don't know. It did something to me. It was an obvious statement, yet I don't think lovers say those things enough. It was especially poignant since he just finished giving her something she wasn't crazy about. I really loved this story.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jade. I got to Brent's decision and realized that he truly didn't want to spank Janelle. I didn't see that coming!
DeleteI loved this story. It was fun, light and had me laughing. I like that it kept Coming to Terms from becoming too serious. Great job, Cara!
ReplyDeleteI loved the light-hearted feel of this story, and also the creativity. I couldn't believe she threw in a sunburnt spanking-- I was totally squirming and I was glad he reconsidered.
ReplyDelete