Originally posted on The Writers Vineyard

It is quite remarkable how quickly time passes. It seems like only yesterday that I received the wonderful news that Champagne Books agreed to publish The Gender Divide. First edits came and went and just last week I received the Advance Reader Copy for final review.

I’ve spent most of the weekend re-reading The Gender Divide. I had read through it once already during the first edit but I still enjoy reading it. Admittedly, I am biased but I am also the first to be critical. In fact I have to restrain myself from making changes that I know aren’t really needed except in my own mind.

I thought that I would share a small snippet from the novel, one of my (many) favorite scenes. I hope you like it as much as I do. Enjoy.

“We should leave,” Ryan said, rising from the sofa. As if on cue, both the front and the back door crashed in.

Instantly, Ryan launched himself forward, grabbing her, and smashing through the large picture window behind her. The glass gave way with a crash and they were airborne for a few seconds. Nicole braced herself for the landing, but Ryan twisted in midair and as they landed, they rolled, using their momentum to get away from the house and into the open.

Nicole felt an instant of panic as the curtains tangled around them, blocking her vision and hindering her movement, but it passed as the curtains parted like wet paper towel under their combined efforts. She dropped the tattered remnants and looked around in surprise. They were still alone on the front lawn and she looked at Ryan breathlessly.

“What was that about?”

“I don’t know how many of them there are, but I’m sure they’ll outnumber us. The only way we can make it out of this is if we fight as a team. We can’t do that effectively in the cramped confines of the house so…” He shrugged as he scanned the grounds visually and his eyes glazed over as he linked into something, likely his air car. A few moments later, his eyes cleared as he confirmed her guess.

“I just linked to the scanner in my air car and it looks like there’s an even dozen of them. From what I can tell, only two of them have enhancements, probably the team leaders.”

Nicole felt panic wash over her again as she considered the odds. Ryan must have sensed it since he turned to her and grinned tightly.

“It’s not as bad as it sounds. Most people, enhanced or not, aren’t as trained as we are. We faced this all the time in the military. This is a typical example of a team that looks good on paper, but it takes more than numbers or enhancement to make it work. It takes training and teamwork. It’s not going to be easy, but we can do it.”

“But?”

Ryan laughed a short, bitter bark.

“Well I started jamming communications, but they might have called for reinforcements earlier. I put in a call for some reinforcements myself, but I don’t know if they’ll get here in time.”

Nicole bit her lip as she considered this. Even as she did, figures began emerging from around the sides of the house. “Would it do any good to call the police?” she asked as she instinctively assumed a combat stance, her back to Ryan’s.

“No offense, but most of the police are females. Not only that, but technically we are in the wrong here.”

Nicole sensed he was about to say something else, but their assailants had finished gathering, and they headed towards Ryan and Nicole in a headlong rush.

NOTE: This was originally posted in The Writers Vineyard.