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Ruby Release: Last Chance Beauty Queen by Hope Ramsay
 Posted by Gwynlyn MacKenzie Feb 2 2012, 12:01 am in contemporary romance, fun-read, Hope Ramsay, humor, Last Chance Beauty Queen, Last Chance South Carolina, romance, Ruby Release
As near as I could tell during the course of Miz Ruby’s frantic phone call, there’s a mill, a senator, her daughter, Rocky, and Golfing For God involved. Oh, and a British nobleman. Which is why she called me. I’m the only person she knows who has a clue about the British peerage (even if only in a historical sense, but Miz Ruby doesn’t quibble over details), and this fellow has the town in an uproar. Why a British nobleman would be in Last Chance is beyond me, but I’m willing to melt these Yankee bones to find out. Pulling into Miz Ruby’s driveway, I notice several people on her porch. Miz Miriam Randall, matchmaker extraordinaire, is there, as is Hettie Marshall, the town’s Queen Bee. Miz Ruby and her friends sit together on one side of the porch. There are also two strangers that look out of both place and time—about four decades or so out of time. They share the porch swing, well away from the local ladies. It looks like Last Chance’s version of a Mexican Standoff. As I step from my car into the sticky air, Miz Ruby bustles down the stairs to wrap me in a permanent-wave-solution-mixed-with-flowery-perfume-scented hug. “Oh, Gwyn. Praise be to God, you’ve arrived at last.” I’m not even given a chance to return her greeting or ask any questions. Her vise-like grip propels me up the walk and onto the porch where the two time-warp victims are now standing, their eyes alive with curiosity. “Gwyn, I’d like you to meet his grace’s aunts.” A duke? Holy cats! And to make matters worse, I had no opportunity to prevent Miz Ruby from making a horrible error in protocol. Introducing them to me is bad form; higher rank always reserves the right to condescend to be introduced—or not—to a social inferior. I try not to wince at the gaff and step forward, my hand extended (also a faux pas, but I’ll not have anyone judging Miz Ruby. In for a penny and all that), a welcoming smile (I hope. It feels rather like a grimace) pasted on my face. “Ladies—” “Oh, my dear girl, none of that. You must call me Petunia, and my sister is Petal.” Petunia looks rather like a child playing dress-up. I’m sure Miz Ruby appreciates the neatly curled and coiffed perfection of her silver hair—at least what one can see beneath her wide-brimmed straw hat dyed a startling shade of fuchsia. It’s a perfect match for the feathered boa draped over her arms. An ivory lace blouse with a sweetheart neckline and three-quarter sleeves tops a floral skirt so full only the toes of what appear to be ivory pumps can be seen. Silver dangles from her ears and around her neck and marches halfway to her elbows in a noisy mélange, clinking and clanking every time she moves. And her rings! If all that silver is real, the woman’s a walking repository—or a mugger’s wet dream. Despite her fluttery appearance, Petunia has an iron grip and nearly wrenches my shoulder from the socket when she shakes my hand. Petal, on the other hand, smiles a sweet, mildly vacuous smile as she greets me. Petal could easily have stepped from an artist’s colony—circa 1965. Her long, graying hair is loose and tumbles over her shoulders in frizzy curls. She wears a gauzy, butterfly-sleeved ecru confection, its turquoise yoke piped in sunshine yellow and embroidered with jewel-toned flowers. From beneath the dress’s flounced, ankle-length skirt, vivid amethyst toenails peek from a pair of well-worn Birkenstocks. Her grip is firm, and while not as vigorous as her sister’s, it’s not the limp-fish clasp I expected. In the midst of processing all this, I realize the Last Chance ladies are staring at me, waiting for me to do or say something to help them along. I ask the first question that pops into my mind. “So, your nephew is a duke?” “Oh my, no,” Petunia says, dismissively. “He’s the twenty-third Baron Woolham.” Not nearly as impressive as a duke. You can’t get too much lower on the lordling food chain than a baron. Still, there is a certain protocol, and I turn toward Miz Ruby and her friends to explain. “Ladies, the baron should be addressed as Baron, Baron Woolham, or my lord—never as your grace.” “Indeed,” Petunia agrees, reseating herself beside her sister on the swing. “However, I’m sure Hugh would prefer being simply Mr. deBracy while we’re in America. He has some rather egalitarian views.” While Petunia speaks, Petal’s attention is riveted on something beyond the porch. I have barely a moment to notice her distraction and wonder about it before she appeases my curiosity—sort of. “You have a lovely garden, Ruby. But I must ask, do you have much trouble with the gnome who lives under your wisteria?” Petunia gives her sister a polite but sharp elbow to the ribs. “Darling, please remember we’re here to ensure Hugh doesn’t make a terrible mistake, not befriend every American garden gnome. I’m sure Ruby has hers in order.” Petunia gives Ruby a bright, but slightly brittle smile. “Don’t you, my dear?” “Uh, I guess so.” Miz Ruby turns toward me with a help-me-please-Gwyn look on her face. “So what kind of mistake do you think your nephew is about to make?” I ask, trying to steer the conversation out of Brothers Grimm territory and back to reality. “Well,” Petal says, pulling her attention away from Ruby’s beautiful flower border. “It’s all rather vague at the moment, but Aeval insisted we come here forthwith before Huey does something truly dreadful.” “Aeval?” Surely the dotty Englishwoman couldn’t be referring to the Queen of the Fae? Of course, after the garden gnome comment, I’m not ruling out anything. ”Queen Aeval is one of Petal’s special friends,” Petunia replies as if we’re talking about the local librarian, not the legendary queen of the Tuathe de Danaan. “And while I’m usually inclined to think my sister gives Aeval and her endless warnings too much credence, this time her fairy queen and my spirit guide are in complete accord. We had to come before Hugh makes a complete hash of his life.” Apparently, I’m not the only one who hears Miz Ruby’s confused and outraged huff, because Petunia hurries to add, “Oh, my dear Ruby, it’s not that we object to your daughter, Rocky. Quite the contrary. However, there are powerful forces at work here, not the least of which is family tradition. The Barons Woolham traditionally marry for gain, you see. But I have hope for Hugh. He is a most unusual Baron Woolham. Indeed, I believe him to be torn between his duty and his desires.” “We’ve noticed,” Miz Miriam remarks from her place at the opposite side of the porch. “I think it was that time he helped Bubba with his demolition derby car that cinched it. Rocky has a thing for guys who work with their hands, you know. But that might be because of something I told her a few days ago.” Petal and Petunia share a speaking glance. “The blame for Hugh’s dilemma rests solely on our father’s shoulders.” Petunia’s lips are so tight, it’s a wonder any sound escapes. “He had a very old-fashioned attitude about mixing the social orders. I fear Hugh has always had trouble living up to Father’s standards. Even as a lad, he enjoyed getting his hands dirty.” Petal pats her sister’s clenched fists. “But he did try. He tried very hard. I’m afraid it’s just not in his nature to stay clean . . . or be arrogant, for that matter.” “He’s male. Arrogance is in his nature, all right,” Hettie Marshall mutters. Someone snickers. Soon they are all laughing. “Well, yes, perhaps a bit,” Petunia qualifies with a smirk, “but he is nothing like our father. Hugh is quite appalled at the idea of marrying for money. But he believes it to be his duty.” “Tell me, please, this other woman he’s been seeing—the senator’s daughter? Do you think she would permit him to tinker with motor cars and other machinery? Huey would be so unhappy if he couldn’t tinker,” Petal says with a worried sigh. “Well, right now, he’s tinkering with my daughter’s heart. Not to mention the fact he’s messing around with Last Chance’s future.” Miz Ruby, now in full mother bear mode, steps up to stand beside me. “And I don’t like it. It’s bad enough he’s been flirting with Rocky when he has no intention of marrying her, but your nephew wants to force my Elbert to give up Golfing for God so he can build a mill.” ”It would be a complete tragedy if we had to bulldoze Golfing for God,” Hettie says. Hettie is currently chairing the Committee to Resurrect Golfing for God and she’s quite passionate on the subject. Petunia picks up a half-full glass of what I assume is Miz Ruby’s sweet tea and stands. “Ladies, my sister and I quite agree with you. It’s clear fate has chosen to bind our nephew’s fortunes to Ruby’s daughter’s. While I’m unsure what that means or how we can ensure Hugh gets his mill and his love without sacrificing Golfing for God, I’m certain it can be done. My spirit guide and Queen Aeval would not have sent us here if Hugh and this senator’s daughter were a fait accompli, or if he could not have his mill. We believe Hugh and Rocky need each other.” “Amen to that,” says Miz Miriam. Everyone turns toward the old lady, who continues to rock, an enigmatic smile on her face. “So, that means we’re going to be family,” Petal chimes in with a delighted grin. “Perhaps. But even if a wedding isn’t in the cards, we are in this together for good or ill.” Petunia holds up her glass. Miz Ruby nods and reaches for her own glass. “I do believe we agree that something must be done about this situation. If you ladies are willing to help, then I’m more than happy to let you.” She taps her glass against Petunia’s. Soon the bell-like ting of glass meeting glass echoes into the twilight. Sensing my part done, I sink into a rocking chair. I may not be needed, but I’m not going anywhere. A baron and a Watermelon Queen from Last Chance? I wouldn’t miss seeing how this plays out for all the homemade gelato in south Philly. * * * * *
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The excerpt sounds great. Have been waiting for this book.
Huh, contest for NON Ruby commenters? I thought RS blog was giving away a copy??? Is there where I leave comment to be eligible? Am I dopey or what. LOL.
No worries, Pat. That’s just to remind the Rubies who blog that they can’t win…only our guests
And since you are our guest, you’re in. Me? Uh, not so much. But don’t worry, I’ll pick it up at the store.
Pat,
Thanks for stopping by. Yup, this is the place to leave a comment and you are officially entered in today’s giveaway.
Congratulations on your release, Hope! I got my Mom Welcome to Last Chance for Christmas and she really enjoyed it. Now she collecting the rest of the series.
Thanks for the word of mouth advertising!
Great post…and such fun for a Thursday! Congrats, Hope, on another good one. Always fun when Gwynlyn gets into the mix. Gotta throw her in with those gals every now and then just to make it even MORE interesting. Great post!
Gwyn has a real talent — sort of like Charlie Rose — for interviewing quirky characters. And Petal and Petunia are a riot. The kind of characters who want to take over a book, if you know what I mean.
Yeah, Liz, I fit in Last Chance like a bear at a cotillion, but hey, that’s the fun. Personally, I think this is the BEST of Hope’s Last Chance books. It runs the emotional gamut with fun and finesse. Which reminds me, I have to get over to Goodreads!
You are such a dear!
Hope, I’ve been waiting, patiently for today. What took you so long? LOL. Just kidding. I can’t wait to pick up my copy. Congrats on the new release.
Ha ha! It took a very long time. In fact an early version of this story is the one that finaled in the 2009 Golden Heart and made me a Ruby.
And that story had been hanging around for at least 5 years. But I have to admit that the only thing that really remains from the Golden Heart finalist to the finished novel are the names of the characters and the setting of novel. This book got rewritten so many times it’s probably a record.
This is the story that made you a Ruby? Well, then, we’re doubly thrilled about it!!
Congrats, Hope. (I can just see Petal’s clothes. I know women who dress like that
Well, I have to admit that Gwyn dressed Petal and Petunia. I don’t think I ever mentioned their clothing in such detail in the book, except to point that that Petal’s eyeglasses are the color of a gnome’s hat, and she sometimes wears old sweaters when she’s out puttering in the garden. So, Gwyn, take a bow. She wanted to dress them and I just got out of the way.
This is how I saw them when I read the book, Beth. I asked Hope if she had specifics of her own or if I should use how I saw them. She gave me the go-ahead, and there you have it. Petal and Petunia as I saw them in the context of Hope’s book. Which, I think, tells you quite a lot about the rest of the story!
I couldn’t have described them better!
Congrats on the success of your release. Sounds like a fun read I’ll have to pick up.
Lee, thanks for stopping by to comment. Maybe you’ll win a copy to day!
Hope, Congratulations on another terrific release. Lots and lots of sales to you! You deserve it!
Hi Kelley, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Happy release day, Hope!
Thanks Kelly
Yay, Hope!!!! So excited for you! We share a pub day. We’re like twins. LOL.
Super congrats, you! Let me know when you hit the lists. We’ll toast!
~D~
LOL. My covers are all cute and pink and your covers have skulls on them. Some twins. But, actually, now that I think of it we both have ghosts in our books. So, yeah…
Happy release day to you too. Seems like you and I are on the same publishing schedule.
Hope, congratulations on the release! I fell in love with Petal and Petunia. Hanging out with them would be so fun.
Hey June, Thanks for stopping by.
Congrats, Hope. Gwyn told me how much she loved this one. I can’t wait to read it!
Hi Laurie, Thanks for stopping by. Pretty soon it’s going to be YOUR turn. Can’t wait!
I’ll be hosting that one as well! Wooohoooo!
Sounds like a passel of fun going on there! Congratulations!
Thanks for stopping by
Congratulations, Hope, on your new release! May it be wildly successful.
Thank you Vivi
Yay, Hope! Big congratulations on your release day! Very interesting that you did so much rewriting between the time the book finaled in the GH and its publication. But I’m glad you did; it’s bound to be a great read!
Well the original story premise was weak, even though the characters were strong. And this was actually the very first “Last Chance” book, but, oddly, in the original not very much action actually happened in the town. So a complete rewrite was required. The new story is totally different pretty much from beginning to end.
Congrats on the new baby, Hope! I can’t wait to spend a little more time in Last Chance!
Elisa, I want to specifically thank you because when I was rewriting this book you were particularly helpful in giving me advice about how to make my hero a little more “regency.” I really appreciate all your help. Hugh turned out yummy.
How cool!!
Congratulations to Pat L and Lee Lopez, today’s winners of free copies of Last Chance Beauty Queen. Ladies, I’ll be getting in touch with you to get your mailing addresses so I can send you your books.
Sliding in late but congratulations, Hope! I didn’t realize you had another release. Pat and Lee are in for a treat. It’s definitely going in my TBR pile.
Happy release day, Hope!
Congratulations on another great release, Hope! Looking forward to adding it to my library!
I loved Home at Last Chance. Glad to find a new author.
Good luck with this new release.
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Helen L.