Patron Saint Teaser time…
Because it’s just ten days before the release of my novel, THE PATRON SAINT OF UNATTRACTIVE PEOPLE, I figured now would be a good time to post a picture of the cover to my blog along with the first paragraph of the novel. If you come to one of my readings, you can even hear the paragraph after that, and the paragraph after that, and maybe even the paragraph after that…
Dad boasts that Drogo’s is the only coffee shop in the world with a relic. It’s not really a relic; it’s a piece of wood, but Dad has never been one to dwell on details. According to him, the wood came from the shepherd’s crook of Saint Drogo, the patron saint of coffee house keepers, mutes, orphans, and unattractive people. Our fragment is as big as two quarters and stained darkly enough to suggest that it’s nine centuries old. We keep it in a small glass box across from the front counter and cash register. The box is attached to the wall and surrounded by a gilded frame. Dad believes in display, which is important since nothing hints that the little piece of wood didn’t come from a broomstick except for its dark color, and that wouldn’t be hard to fake. But our customers are faithful, and some of the regulars bow their heads and touch the glass box when they come in for a cappuccino or espresso or latte. I don’t know if they’re praying, making a wish, or saying hello to Drogo, but the coffee shop could use a few prayers.
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