Except from the book, Three Years of Her Life – C. E. Robinson
Elizabeth meets Erik’s parents for the first time at his grandmother’s 80th birthday celebration weekend. And she meets Erik’s old girlfriend, his mother’s chosen one for him.
Hilda makes her grand entrance to the party. As she walks down the stairs, guests clap and shout, “Happy Birthday.” Hilda mingles among the guests. Elizabeth was just about the ask Erik for a dance, when a gorgeous blonde walks inside. From Erik’s irritated expression, this could only be the old girlfriend, Maribel. She wears a breathtaking off-the-shoulder mauve dress, a gold necklace, and jewel-studded bracelets and rings. a white mink stole drapes on her arm. She looks like a young Marlene Dietrich, complete with red lipstick and a dipped side wave in her hair.
Maribel is even more sophisticated than Elizabeth imagines. Next to her, Elizabeth looks like a country bumpkin in her high-necked pink angora sweater and straight black skirt. Why oh why hadn’t she thought to bring a taller pair of heels? Maribel was surely going to tower over her. As if she needed any more advantages.
Maribel eyes Elizabeth and says, “Let me guess—nurse?” She makes no attempt to conceal contempt in her voice. “How nice of you to bring employees along.”
Elizabeth’s knees weaken and she’s glad for Erik’s arm around her for support. Maribel’s hostility is unconcealed and a bit terrifying.
Elizabeth is 20 in the photo, and Maribel is the older woman, around 29, the same age as Erik.
Before Sundown 
You capture that self-inspection and questioning quite well.
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Thanks so much, Dan. There’s another blonde in a scene, Marilyn Monroe, that causes a stir for Elizabeth. 📚🎶
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She would cause a stir for any woman 😏
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That she would! 🤣
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Reblogged this on Have We Had Help? and commented:
From Christine X
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Thank you so much. Jack. 🧡🎶
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Both women are beautiful in their own right – personality is the key and you clearly showed that.
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GP, that’s nice of you to say that. It was pretty stiff competition in the looks department. What was left out of the excerpt was Erik’s response back to Maribel. Another teaser. 📚🎶 Christine
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You sure do like to tease, don’t you, Christine? You’re a natural at this!
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Hoping to attract readers! Historical fiction can be too rolling eyes detailed. If I add a bit of romance in the excerpt posts, maybe it will entice a closer look on the Amazon buy the book page. Fingers crossed. 📚🎶 Christine
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That’s what I had meant – you’re a natural when it comes to merchandising – and we’re all having fun while you do it!
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Thanks, GP. You got it. Authors shamelessly marketing their books. We all have to do it. I’m happy you say we’re all having fun while I do it. Could even be, oh no not one of those teasers again, guess I’d better buy the book. Just got to have the answer to that last one! 🤔Another coming up today about the pocket watch. 📚🎶 Christine
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Great excerpt, Christine. Poor Elizabeth. I can feel how intimidated she felt. Wonderful writing.
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Thank you, Diana! 📚🎶
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