{"id":1035,"date":"2009-02-01T15:54:06","date_gmt":"2009-02-01T20:54:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/\/?p=1035"},"modified":"2009-02-01T15:54:06","modified_gmt":"2009-02-01T20:54:06","slug":"scrapping-plans-by-rebeca-seitz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/?p=1035","title":{"rendered":"Scrapping Plans by Rebeca Seitz"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>\"\"<\/a>It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/strong> book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old…or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Today’s Wild Card author is: <\/strong><\/div>\n
Rebeca Seitz<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n

and the book:<\/span> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Scrapping Plans<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

B&H Books (February 1, 2009)<\/p>\n

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/a>Rebeca Seitz, in addition to her own literary work, is founder and president of Glass Road Public Relations, a company dedicated solely to representing novelists who write from a Christian worldview. She has previously worked with authors including Ted Dekker, Frank Peretti, Robin Jones Gunn, and Brandilyn Collins. Seitz lives with her husband and son in Fulton, Kentucky.<\/p>\n

In 2007, Rebeca published her first novel, Prints Charming <\/a>, with Thomas Nelson Publishers. Two thousand eight saw the release of her next two novels, Sister\u2019s Ink<\/a> and Coming Unglued <\/a>, from B&H Publishing Group, the publishing division of LifeWay. Just released from B&H is Scrapping Plans<\/a>. Her next book, Perfect Piece<\/a> , will release in 2009 from B&H.<\/p>\n

Visit the author’s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Product Details:<\/p>\n

List Price: $ 14.99<\/p>\n

Paperback: 320 pages<\/p>\n

Publisher: B&H Books (February 1, 2009)<\/p>\n

Language: English<\/p>\n

ISBN-10: 0805446923<\/p>\n

ISBN-13: 978-0805446920<\/p>\n

AND NOW…THE FIRST CHAPTER:<\/span> <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve tried to be happy. I try so very hard. Yet the frigid granite beneath my fingertips is a blazing desert compared to the barren iceberg of my womb. What woman could be happy with a monolith of ice blocking her very female essence?<\/p>\n

This kitchen is perfectly planned. If Martha Stewart visited, she\u2019d be envious of my exquisite arrangement of pears and apricots, dusted with the slightest coating of glaze and balanced artfully in Mother\u2019s old bowl. She\u2019d gasp at the coordination of stripe to check, plaid to French country print, that draws the eye around the room. Her Tod-slippered feet can sweep across my stone floor and arrive unspecked at their destination.<\/p>\n

And, if the Great Martha were to stop there, I would measure up. My life would hold a semblance of value, of worthiness.<\/p>\n

Most stop there.<\/p>\n

Thank God.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t mean that irreverently. How can I be irreverent? I\u2019m the grateful adoptee of an upright preacher man and his loving wife. I\u2019m the epitome of grateful recipient. All of Stars Hill would tell you that.<\/p>\n

They don\u2019t look past my kitchen.<\/p>\n

Thank God.<\/p>\n

But I don\u2019t have much time to stand here, staring at a House Beautiful workspace. Scott will be home in two hours. And duck l\u2019orange is not an easy dish for even one so seasoned as I.<\/p>\n

Is it odd that I love French food yet Chinese blood runs through my veins? Hmm. Perhaps if I\u2019d been raised on the soil my mother trod, I would know more of the cuisine of the Asian world. I might even be privy to which province most suits me.<\/p>\n

I should visit China.<\/p>\n

Did I just think that?<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t visit China. Daddy, that blessed preacher man, would be hurt if I went in search of a mother who was never Momma. Of a woman who took one look at me, then left me bawling on a doorstep in the dead of night.<\/p>\n

Then again, Daddy has Zelda these days.<\/p>\n

Now, Zelda, there\u2019s a woman who follows every fancy. What a strange little bird she is. Those fiery red spikes in her hair make me think of either a surprised woodpecker or the recipient of an errant lightning bolt. When she smiles, her whole face turns upward. I hear we have that in common. I wish I could remember seeing a smile on my face. But when I\u2019m alone, with a mirror reflecting the mystery of me, it isn\u2019t a smile that comes to bear. Besides, what kind of lady wears spurs on her cowboy boots? Honestly, spurs! Why, one of these days she will rip a gash in Daddy\u2019s ankle while they\u2019re do-si-doing and twirling around the Heartland dance floor.<\/p>\n

I assume that\u2019s what happens inside that wretched place. How Kendra and Tandy spend Friday nights there is beyond me. To each her own, I suppose. Though my own will never involve cowboy boots and a twanging fiddle.<\/p>\n

Do fiddles twang?<\/p>\n

Maybe I meant guitar.<\/p>\n

No matter. I have a duck to prepare.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you see her?\u201d Kendra tripped over the uneven sidewalk and grabbed Tandy\u2019s arm. Cold gusts of wind beat at them, bringing snatches of icy rain below the sidewalk\u2019s covering.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, watch it, sister!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry.\u201d She kept walking, shooting a murderous look back at the beguiling concrete. \u201cWe need to bring up sidewalk maintenance at the next town meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tandy patted the coffee-colored hand still crooked in her elbow. \u201cNow, Kendra, don\u2019t be getting all drastic on me. Can you imagine what poor Tanner would do if we dared question the maintenance of our fair Stars Hill?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh.\u201d Kendra huffed and let go of Tandy to stuff her hands in her pockets. \u201cProbably remind us of all he\u2019s done to keep this town in antique replica street lights and ten o\u2019clock curfews.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least the curfews are gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

They pulled their hoods up and stepped down from the sidewalk to cross College Street.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder how many times Daddy would have had to bail us out if they had that curfew when we were in high school?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tandy tucked a curl behind her ear and took long strides toward Clay\u2019s Diner. \u201cI seem to recall a certain sister needing bailed out anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was no bail involved. Just a minor misunderstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat the whole town talked about for months.\u201d Tandy grinned and pulled open the door of the diner. Heated air billowed out a welcome. \u201cAfter you, Con Woman.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, keep it up, sis. I can always bring up improper car racing at the next town meeting.\u201d Kendra sailed through the entry, ignoring Tandy\u2019s, \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t!\u201d and hung her dripping coat on one of the hooks by the door.<\/p>\n

Tandy sloughed off her own navy pea coat and stamped her yellow rain boots. \u201cWould you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Kendra spun on a heel and walked off toward \u201ctheir\u201d booth in the back corner. \u201cWouldn\u2019t you like to know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s my darling wife!\u201d Clay Kelner came around the counter toward them.<\/p>\n

Kendra rolled her eyes and snatched up a menu. \u201cOh, spare me. Shouldn\u2019t the newlywed bliss have worn off by now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you upset about?\u201d Clay allowed a quick glance for his sister-in-law, then bent and dropped a peck on Tandy\u2019s upturned lips. \u201cAre you and Darin fighting?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d Tandy leveled a gaze at her sister. \u201cBecause Kendra is too busy spying on Joy to pay attention to her man and get their wedding planned.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoy? The perfect one? Mrs. Plan-Everything-to-Death?\u201d Clay\u2019s eyebrows rose. \u201cWhy are you spying on Joy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause something\u2019s wrong and I\u2019m the only one in this family paying attention, that\u2019s why.\u201d Kendra slapped the menu on the table top. \u201cAnd wedding plans are coming along fine, thank you very much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure you\u2019re not being your dramatic self?\u201d Clay fast-stepped back before Kendra could swat him. \u201cLovable dramatic self, I meant!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHa ha. Very funny.\u201d Kendra pointed the menu at Clay, then Tandy. \u201cYou laugh now, but something\u2019s up and we need to find out what before it gets so bad we can\u2019t fix it.\u201d<\/p>\n

1\u201cWell, can we at least get some food first?\u201d Tandy snatched the menu and put it back in its holder. \u201cI can\u2019t think on an empty stomach.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe usual?\u201d<\/p>\n

Both girls nodded and Clay turned back toward the kitchen.<\/p>\n

When he\u2019d gone, Kendra studied her sister. \u201cTandy, I know you think I\u2019m nuts. But did you not see her at Darnell\u2019s? I mean, she stood over that display of oranges for at least a full minute, just staring into space!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I saw her, Ken.\u201d Tandy sighed. \u201cBut you know Joy. She\u2019s not going to appreciate us marching up into her house and demanding to know what\u2019s wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe wouldn\u2019t care if Meg did it.\u201d Kendra sniffed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, she would. And she\u2019s closer to Meg because this is exactly the kind of thing Meg wouldn\u2019t do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kendra huffed and turned away. Rain sluiced down the windows, making the streetlights outside sparkle. Inside, every table was filled with Stars Hill townfolk happily spooning up chili and vegetable soup. If we don\u2019t figure this out soon, they will. And then Joy will be the talk of the town2. She pulled out her cell phone and punched buttons.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you calling?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMeg.\u201d Her faux ruby ring glinted in the light when she held up a finger to stop Tandy\u2019s objection. \u201cHey, Meg, it\u2019s Kendra. Tandy and I are at the diner and wondered if you could drop by. Call me as soon as you get this.\u201d She snapped the phone closed and dropped it back in her giant suede bag, now splashed with raindrops.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what will that accomplish?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to have Meg talk to Joy about this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSince when can we get Meg to do anything? Did you discover some magic wand I don\u2019t know about?\u201d<\/p>\n

Kendra pushed her mahogany-colored spirals back into the burgundy headwrap from which they\u2019d escaped. \u201cShe\u2019s been wanting me to paint a mural on Hannah\u2019s wall for a month. I think she\u2019ll do just about anything to get it done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tandy leaned back in the seat and whistled low. \u201cRemind me never to underestimate you, sister.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kendra stopped fixing her hair and leveled a stare at Tandy. \u201cYou better believe it.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1035","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-books"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1035"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1035"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1035\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1038,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1035\/revisions\/1038"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1035"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1035"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1035"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}