Hello Everyone. Welcome. In addition to Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday, I am also participating in Charity Sunday organized by Lisabet Sarai. For Charity Sunday, I will commit to provide $2.00 for every comment I receive to World Central Kitchen, a charity started by Chef Jose Andres, whose mission is to use “the power of food to heal communities and strengthen economies through times of crisis and beyond.” It brings meals to those hurt by disaster.
For this it seems appropriate to to share a snippet from Candles and Honey Cookies: A Tale of Hannukah which I ‘m thrilled to share was just accepted by the Wild Rose Press for publication in their Christmas Cookies 2021 Series. This scene takes place further down in the story. Tamara and Natan have met, admitted their love, and she helps him escape from the Imperi Army to join the a growing band of insurgents hiding in the hills. In this scene, Tamara is sneaking food to them, supporting those in need, which reflects the values of the charity I am supporting.
“Have you brought the oil?” Isaac approached her with two Imperi guards following behind him, like twin shadows. His dark eyes flitted up her body then around the room, as if he were always on high alert, never trusting anyone. Not a good look for a priest or a man who wanted to be her betrothed.
“Of course. After a year, I should think you would no longer need to ask.” She handed him the jug, careful to do so away from prying eyes. She also hid food for the rebels in her basket, including honey cookies she hoped made their way to Natan.
Isaac grunted, as if her words did not merit a response. Once his disdain would have had her hanging her head in shame. Since her night with Natan, Isaac’s condescension bounced off her like rain on a tent.
“I would like to light a candle before I go.” Her gaze surveyed the room. The alter which housed their sacred texts was missing, replaced by a particularly large statue of Xenob. “Another statue of the king. How fortunate we are.” She knew the drill around Imperi soldiers.
Isaac nodded. His eyes narrowed, as if warning her away from any conversation. “You’ve completed your duty. Light your candle, then don’t dawdle. The Temple is a place for men. I will lead you to the women’s section, another wise ruling from the Imperi.”
Women’s section? The Imperi hold got stricter with each passing day. She followed Isaac to a small corner, hidden from the main alter. Candles lay neatly on the table in front of a small statue of the king. She glanced at Isaac, who refused to meet her eyes.
Please visit the bloggers from Weekend Writing Warriors, Snippet Sunday and Charity Sunday. For Charity Sunday, I’ve pasted the list directly.
Hello, Shari,
Thank you so much for joining Charity Sunday! And I love your snippet. You’ve done a great job capturing the emotions of someone whose culture is being erased by invaders.
So glad to be a part of this Lisabet. Thanks for organizing.
I’m curious as to whether Isaac will eventually concede or fight back.
Isaac struggles to change, so he will struggle as the story moves forward.
I hate to read about “women’s section” and women not allowed in the “men only” area. I know it’s true to the times. It just hurts when I read how women were treated–and still are in some parts of the world. You’ve done a good job making it feel real.
Thanks, Diane. The story is historical, but we still have a ways to go.
What a great charity to choose! Chef Jose Andre is an amazing person, and a hero.
I am a big fan of Chef Jose too. Thanks for dropping by.
The “not meeting eyes” says a whole lot in a few words.
Eyes really do tell stories. Thanks, Daryl.
This snippet evokes emotions–sadness at a culture being erased, and anger for the same.
Wonderful charity!
Congrats on inclusion in TWRP’s holiday stories!
Thanks, Teresa. It is a sad moment.
Sharing!
Thanks, Kris.
Sounds as if the situation is truly growing worse and worse…I like her inner strength. Congratulations on the coming anthology, definitely for a good cause.
Thanks, Veronica. It always gets worse before it gets better.
I wouldn’t want to stay in that place. I hope she has a choice.
Spoilers!. Thanks for visiting.
I love how finding love with Natan has given her a new inner strength.
Yeah, I like that part to. Thanks.
WCF is so wonderful, and the exverpt’s great too!
Thanks for stopping by Trix. WCF is wonderful.
With him not meeting her eyes says so much, doesn’t it?
Yeah, it really does. Great for writing.
The hushed and furtive aura this scene evokes is chilling. It speaks of the restrictive lives women have almost always had to lead. I’m hoping she can find a way out of it. Great snippet!
Thanks, Jenna. Glad you got stop by.
I really don’t like a culture that restricts women. I hope Nathan is her way out of it. Congrats on the acceptance from the Wild Rose Press.
Thanks, Elaine. I don’t like those cultures either, but there are such a part of our history. It helps to write about it.
Congrats on another contract! You need to keep writing!
Interesting excerpt. Says so much, with few words.
Thanks, Fiona. I am struggling to write and read. The pandemic has sucked out a lot of my motivation but I don’t lose hope. I will keep writing.
Interesting snippet … and Lisabet’s Charity Sunday is such a good cause ♥
Thanks, Iris. Its my first time participating on Charity Sunday but I plan to continue.