99th Page Blogfest

Alicia, Erinn, Holly, Pam, and Quita are hosting a 99th page blogfest. The idea is that the 99th page can tell you whether or not a book is worth reading.

This was an interesting exercise, reading the 99th page of all of my stories. I wonder if this test has something to do with plot structure, if it's about a possible sagging middle or if it tests the number of pleasurable hits (word play, banter, etc.) a writer makes per page.

Anyway, I picked the one from my novel, SOCIAL DISORDER, because it seemed to stand best on it's own.

            I stopped at the restroom on the way, taking off my shoes to enjoy the cool floor on my feet. A quick evaluation in the mirror said that my wrap-around red dress would still look fine for the picture. The rest of me, on the other hand. I looked flushed and mussed, but happy. Very happy.

            Back outside the restroom, I leaned my wrist on Nick’s shoulder while I slipped one shoe back on, but then he grabbed the other shoe out of my hand and backed away from me.

            “Nick.” I hobbled toward him. “You’re not looking very hot to me right now.”

He held the shoe up so I had to jump to try and reach it. I landed against him. “You, meanwhile, have never looked hotter.” He swung me around, ending with a crash-down kiss.

“There you are.” A familiar shrill voice cut through the hallway.

Nick and I turned our heads to see Clarissa and Mitch standing at the corner by the bathrooms.

We all stared at each other for a freeze-frame moment.

Mitch recovered first. “I was heading to the bathroom,” he said to Clarissa.

“Good,” she said, her voice, as usual, aimed straight at me. “I need to go too.” She put her hand through Mitch’s arm and walked, dignified, to the ladies’ room, but the clacking of her strappy heels ruined the effect. Mitch took the last few steps into the men’s room without looking back.

Then I could breath again.

Nick still held me. “Is Mitch the reason Clarissa has it out for you?” he whispered.

“Allison thinks so.” He handed me my other shoe, and I leaned on him to put it on. Then we headed toward the pictures in our own version of a dignified manner.

What do you think? Do you want to keep reading?

Come join the fun (Alicia's link above includes the sign up list).  And check out page99test.com. They're doing this same thing there on a regular basis.