Teaser Thursday – Finding Amanda

Recently I’ve come across authors using tropes. It’s a great way to use imagery to explain what a story is about. Along with a specially selected excerpt, it’s a perfect way for readers to see at a glance what the story is about.

I’m a prolific reader, and I’ve enjoyed seeing these. It’s’s resulted in finding some excellent new authors with exciting stories to tell.

Let me introduce you Amanda, who in the nineties ran away from home after falling out with her family. For ten years she lived in Scotland and worked her way up to manage a hotel in the Scottish highlands. A film crew move in and Amanda finds herself managing them instead. Life is good.

Then she sees her face on the television with other missing people, and her secret is out.

A few days later, as Amanda lay in bed with Jamie softly snoring beside her, she suddenly felt a deep stirring within her soul. It was something she had not felt for a long time.

Being twins, she and Aaron shared a strong connection. Especially during her time on the streets, she had mastered the art of tuning him out and blocking his presence from her mind. She wanted to shield him from experiencing the same emotions she did or discovering her actions. He would only have been ashamed of her.

In the darkness, Amanda now felt him strongly, and willingly let him into her heart. The connection was so strong it caused her to sit up in bed and his name fell from her lips.

Immediately, she glanced at Jamie, who continued to sleep.

The surrounding air shifted, and she heard her name come back to her through the darkness. Goosebumps spread along her arms, which made her give an involuntary shiver.

Amanda swung her feet over the side of the bed and stood up. With another glance at Jamie, she quietly left the room, shutting the door gently behind her. Without hesitation, she picked up the phone and untangled the wire to stretch it across the room towards the table. She put the phone on the top with a gentle thud and sat down.

Amanda picked up the handset from its cradle, her fingers hovering over the buttons, ready to dial. The distinct voice of Aaron sounded from somewhere around her. Go on. Go on, he urged.

With trembling hands, Amanda complied, and after one ring, he picked it up.

“So, you are awake?” Aaron said.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Neither could I. None of us can since you phoned. Is it really you?” he added softly.

“Yes,” she replied with a bout of shame at the longing and love that emanated from his voice. Despite the closed bedroom door, she whispered, “I saw you on TV.”

Aaron sounded slightly amused. “It was David’s idea. We didn’t think it would work.” He paused. “Mandy, where are you?”

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