Purrsonal Thursdays: For the love of . . .

 

Since Valentine's Day is around the corner, I've decided to talk about love. Of books and reading.

There is a lot of debate over paper books and e-books. Whether you like flipping through the pages in front of a fire or basking in the glow of your Kindle Fire, readers like to read, so what's up with the format hate/love?

To be honest, I love reading on my Kindle Fire. It's convenient. I can hold thousands of books within my fingertips. I can get a book instantly. And it's much easier to eat a meal and keep reading on my Fire.

Paper books are nice too. You can flip through pages and skip to the end much easier. You can make these cute book hearts (like the picture above). The cover art can be very pleasing to see on bookshelves. I get that.

I don't get the book smellers out there, though. Think of the germs, people! After you've been a librarian, the only way you want to touch a book is after it's been disinfected. Seriously. Trust me on this one. Do you know what cats like to do to books? Sit on them. You're breathing in cat butt. And don't get me started on little kids. I just wanted to read The Spiderwick Chronicles and I got the stomach flu from those books. So, yeah, think before you press your face against a book.

That aside, I do love books because I love reading. That's what I really love. I love sitting there and falling in love with a story and characters. I want to be swept away to a different world.

Isn't that what is really important? No matter how you read a story, it's the story you remember, not the format.

That's what I love.

#fridayflash "Love at First Note"

*Today's #fridayflash is inspired by the first time Marcus saw Nadia. These two are characters in Virtuoso, which I'm currently rewriting.*

Love at First Note

Marcus heard the music before he saw the performer.

The violin's strings ached out a soulful melody. The sound was almost human, yet the girl on the stage tempted it from each finger placement and stroke of the horsehair bow across the strings. Slender fingers danced among each note. Blond hair tickled the violin and nearly curtained off her pretty face.

He'd heard violin music before but never like this.

He stopped moving, mesmerized by the performance. His breath stuck in his throat. His heart joined in rhythm to the piece.

"Who's that?" He breathed.

"I don't know. Who cares?" Veronica wrapped her arm around his and tugged. "Come on, we'll be late."

He yanked his arm away from her. "Hey, Karoline, do you know who that is?"

Karoline twisted to look at him. "Yeah, she moved in a few blocks from my house. Her parents are musicians."

"And her name?" He couldn't keep the impatience from his voice. Her name was as important as air.

"Nadia Godunov, I think. She'll be a senior with us."

Nadia. The musicality of the name fit the woman.

When she finished, she lifted her head. A sweet smile touched her lips. A private smile. But he didn't feel guilty seeing it or spying on her performance.

He only wanted to hear her play again . . . or kiss those soft-looking lips.

#fridayflash "Marriage Feast"

Marriage Feast

The thick scent of wine twirled through the air, intoxicating the wedding guests almost as easily as drinking it. Plucking strings floated like bubbles striking their ears. Feet pounded in a tapping rhythm, echoing the music.

She giggled and twirled around. Her black hair glinted in the candlelight. I caught the heady floral fragrance of the petals in her hair. Her dress felt so smooth against my fingertips. My heart danced with each step she took.

My beautiful bride locked my gaze, ensnaring me with her lovely blue eyes. She bewitched me, and I loved every moment of it.

Guests threw congratulations upon us. Food abounded. Cake never tasted as sweet as it did on her lush lips. A flush tinged her cheeks, and we kissed. Our bodies melted together in the heat of our passionate embrace.

“I love you,” she whispered, her breath feather soft against my cheek. A perfect bride for a perfect wedding. I was her perfect groom.

“I love you too.”