Book Extract: One Snowy Week in Springhollow by Lucy Knott

Published December 16, 2020 | By Laura

Hello to Lucy Knott and the blog tour for her book, One Snowy Week in Springhollow.

Tomboy Scarlett thought Devon would be her best friend forever. He was the only person in Springhollow who supported her ambitious artist dreams. But then one winter, Devon and his parents disappear without warning to start a new life in NYC and a devastated Scarlett is left alone to face her high-school bullies and overbearing mother.

Fast-forward ten years: Scarlett is playing it safe in her childhood village with a dull PA job and a wardrobe that passes her mother’s old-fashioned standards. Meanwhile, Devon is a Hollywood heartthrob, starring in the latest superhero blockbuster. And he’s finally coming home for Christmas…

Scarlett can’t help blaming her former best friend for the way her life has turned out, but Devon’s cheeky charm and gorgeous smile prove difficult to resist. Devon always did make her feel on top of the world, but Scarlett knows her heart isn’t racing just because she has her friend back – is it mistletoe madness, or is she seeing Devon in a completely new light?

Scarlett hasn’t taken a risk in years… but this Christmas of second chances could finally be her time to shine.

Lucy and Aria have shared an extract today so you know what to do.. grab that drink and that chair and enjoy.

***** beginning of extract*****

Springhollow being such a small village, Hope and I had applied to work at the magazine right out of college at the ripe old age of eighteen. Hope had always dreamt of being a journalist and overseeing the magazine one day, whereas I loved spending time with Hope and thought maybe a job at our village’s only magazine would appease my creative aspirations and my mother. I could focus on sophisticated pieces of writing, report the news and leave my silly dreams to professionals more suited to it than me. However, my previous boss didn’t quite take to my writing style, for some reason. I tended to add my own twist and inspiration when it came to facts and what was going on in our small village; that may have included the odd alien or magic power.

Giving me the top stories or putting me out in the field was not on his agenda. I was better suited for making coffee and seeing to it that the photocopier never ran out of toner, is what I was told. I take a deep breath and open up my emails. It’s better these days, I’ve gotten used to organising meetings, scheduling appointments and helping Hope assign writers to their suited articles.

Since landing our jobs here at The Village Gazette, Hope has worked her way up from editing other people’s articles to manager and she is a businesswoman to be reckoned with. I on the other hand have remained the coffee runner, only now I’m getting to do it for Hope and not Alfred, an older man who always wore a grey suit to match his grey hair, and didn’t much care for my creative flair. So really, I could take that as a win, maybe even say it was somewhat of a promotion, right?

‘Thanks, Scarlett. You’re the best. We’re just like Clark and Lois working at the Daily Planet,’ Hope says as she goes to sit down. I choke on the strong scent of satsuma and feign a smile, but I’m happy to be of service and to see that she’s smiling now. That’s what best friends are for.

‘Speaking of superheroes, will you come and watch the new DC movie with me tomorrow night? Jess was going to come but he can’t make it now – he has to attend his office’s Christmas do until late,’ Hope says looking up from her screen. Usually the minute the clock strikes nine, she turns into business Hope until lunchtime. She must be feeling shook by the possibility of the magazine closing, having not mentioned my lateness and the fact she is still talking to me at nine-thirteen. I’m determined to help her save it. At her question, I scrunch up my nose and try to compose my words gently as to not let her down.

‘I’m afraid I can’t,’ I say, with an apologetic nod, before trying to look busy pressing some keys in hope that she won’t try and persuade me.

‘Not one superhero movie in the ten years I’ve known you. Whatever will it take to bring you over to the dark side? Are Jess and I too nerdy for you? Can you not be seen out in public with us geeks?’ Hope says mock pouting and wiggling her eyebrows my way. She knows this isn’t true. They are two of my favourite people and were a godsend in my life when I went to college.

I can feel a trickle of sweat on my top lip and pray that Hope hasn’t noticed that too.

‘You know how much I love you, both of you,’ I say forcing a causal laugh. ‘But Eddie has an appointment,’ I blurt out. For someone who once loved spending every day on other planets and using every bit of their imagination, I’m horrified by my lame excuse and cross my fingers under my desk hoping that Hope somehow buys it. She looks up at me over her laptop with a smirk on her face.

‘Should I be worried about you, Scarlett?’ she asks, the smirk fading slightly as a look of concern flashes across her kind features.

***** end of extract*****

About Lucy Knott:

Lucy Knott is a former professional wrestler with a passion for storytelling. Now, instead of telling her stories in the ring, she’s putting pen to paper, fulfilling another lifelong dream in becoming an Author.

Inspired by her Italian Grandparents, when she is not writing you will most likely find her cooking, baking and devouring Italian food, in addition to learning Italian and daydreaming of trips to Italy.

Along with her twin sister, Kelly, Lucy runs TheBlossomTwins.com, where she enthusiastically shares her love for books, baking and Italy, with daily posts, reviews and recipes.

Say hello to Lucy on Twitter and Instagram.

One Snowy Week in Springhollowv was released by Aria on 5th November. Click to view on Amazon, Kobo, Google Play and iBooks.

Visit Aria’s website or follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.