Blog Tour: Extract from Suddenly Single by Carol Wyer

It's my stop on the Suddenly Single by Carol Wyer Blog Tour today. I have an extract to share with you today and if you like the look of it then you can click here to order the full book now! Don't forget to check out the other blogs on the tour for more exclusive content and reviews. 

Here's what it's all about...

When bestselling romance author Chloe Piper’s marriage implodes a week before Christmas, she flees her cheating ex and the village gossips for the solitude of the newly built Sunny Meadow Farm and the company of her hapless dog, Ronnie.

But Chloe is soon pushed out of her comfort zone. Because with a lively development building crew – headed up by charming Alex – and a larger-than-life neighbour determined to make Chloe’s love life her pet project, Chloe finds herself in a whole new world of chaos…

This enthralling romantic comedy of self-discovery and new beginnings is perfect for fans of Kirsty Greenwood, Colleen Coleman and Marian Keyes.

The kitchen had French doors that looked out over woods and fields. She stared over the fields into the distance beyond and watched a small flock of sheep moving slowly up the slope, like small white clouds on legs. The past was the past. This was her future. A movement caught her eye. A blur of red, white and blue had scurried through the side entrance and instead of heading to the front door was making its way to the back. Chloe darted for cover behind the island and squatted there, out of sight. She wasn’t up to meeting strangers.

The tapping on the glass was light and persistent, like an inquisitive woodpecker. Chloe cursed. Maybe she’d been spotted before she’d hidden. It would look fairly obvious now if she revealed herself. She’d have to hope the stranger would leave. However, she hadn’t banked on Ronnie who suddenly rushed out of the living room to greet the intruder. He barked happily.

‘Ronnie, shush,’ whispered Chloe. It was a mistake to speak. Delighted at hearing his mistress’s voice, he hunted around until he found her on her knees and decided she wanted to play. He crouched on his front legs, nose almost touching her face then pulled away with a joyful bark. It was his version of the game hide-and-seek.

‘Go away,’ she hissed.

Ronnie pulled playfully at one of her trainer laces and backed away again.

‘Get off.’ She said. The tapping started again and a muffled shout. ‘Chloe!’

‘Bad dog,’ she grumbled, getting to her feet and feigning surprise.

Dressed in red boots, a white coat and resembling a human version of Sonic the Hedgehog with spiked cobalt blue hair, stood a woman in her early forties. She waved enthusiastically as Chloe emerged. Ronnie trotted beside his mistress and nosed at the door as she unlocked it.

‘You must be the wonderful Chloe Piper,’ gushed the woman. ‘I’m sorry I missed you yesterday, but your friend seemed very nice. I hope you enjoyed the mince pies. I’m not the best cook but it’s the thought that counts, isn’t it? And who is this?’ She bent down and fussed over Ronnie, ruffling the fur on his neck with both hands. His tail wagged faster and faster.

‘You must be Eleanor. Come in.’ The words almost stuck in her throat. She swallowed and drew a breath. She could do this.

Eleanor didn’t need to be asked a second time. Giving Ronnie one final rub, she stood up and pulled Chloe into a honeysuckle and lime scented embrace leaving her glued to the spot as she withdrew.

‘I’m so pleased we’re going to be neighbours. I hear you’ve moved from a village not too far away. We’re from just outside this area – Derby – but couldn’t stand city life any longer and were dying to move. Isn’t it perfect here?’ She turned sparkling green eyes onto Chloe and smiled. The corners of her eyes creased slightly and her perfectly groomed heavy eyebrows lifted slightly. ‘Sorry, I go on, don’t I? I’m just so excited to finally meet you.’

As much as Chloe didn’t want to chat, she couldn’t be rude, especially after such an effusive welcome. Eleanor seemed open and friendly and Ronnie had completely fallen for her. He sat on his haunches, eyes never leaving the woman’s face. If Ronnie liked her, she had to be okay. Her voice sounded distant to her ears as she managed to get out perfunctory sentences. ‘Nice to meet you. Thank you for the mince pies. They really were delicious. I’ve got some left. Would you like one and a coffee?’

‘That’s so sweet of you but I have to get off. I told Fairfax I’d only be a few minutes. We have to check out a new venue!’

‘Venue?’

‘We run an events company for singletons. We only started it recently and it’s taken off like you wouldn’t believe. We’re constantly on the lookout for more fun activities to offer our clients. Anyway, I wanted to welcome you to Sunny Meadow and say if you need anything at all, just come and bang on our door. We work from home so we’re often around when we’re not at an event.’ She gave Chloe a wide smile.

Chloe shifted from one foot to the other. She had no idea what to say next. She was saved from further conversation as Eleanor dropped down again to stroke Ronnie’s head and scratch behind his ear. Ronnie seemed to melt under her hand and threw her a look when she withdrew that made her guffaw. As she turned to leave, she spoke with sincerity.

‘I hope you find it.’

‘What?’

‘Whatever you were looking for on the floor. Was it an earring? I’m always losing mine. The wretched butterfly clips come off.’

Chloe flushed hotly and mumbled something unintelligible. Had she been found out? She hoped not. Eleanor seemed pleasant enough and she didn’t want to make a bad first impression.

As she bounded off, Eleanor halted briefly and faced her. ‘You must come around for drinks. How about tonight at six? I won’t take no for an answer,’ she added, wagging a finger.

Chloe nodded with an enthusiasm she didn’t feel, and thanked Eleanor who set off once more. She glanced at Ronnie whose nose was forced against the window watching the disappearing tricolour. ‘Traitor,’ she mumbled.

Author Bio:

As a child Carol Wyer was always moving, and relied on humour to fit in at new schools. A funny short story won her popularity, planting the seed of becoming a writer. Her career spans dry cleaning, running a language teaching company, and boxercise coaching. Now writing full-time, Carol has several books published and journalism in many magazines.

Carol won The People’s Book Prize Award for non-fiction (2015), and can sometimes be found performing her stand-up comedy routine Laugh While You Still Have Teeth.

Twitter: @carolewyer