NEW RELEASE
Book Title: Of Dungarees, Wellies, and Wedding Dresses
Author: Alexa Milne
Publisher: Fictionwide
Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh
Release Date: 21st October
Tense/POV: first person/past tense/alternating POV
Genres: Contemporary FF Romance
Tropes: Break-up, new life, plus-size rep, working women, independent women
Themes: Bi-sexual awakening, strong women, family life
Heat Rating: 4 flames
Length: 63 906 words/228 pages
It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger. HEA
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Blurb
My name is Chrissy Wychling. I’m a divorced clothes designer and tailor in my mid-thirties. I've recently made a momentous decision and moved from Kent to the Yorkshire Dales to start a new business selling wedding dresses for larger brides. I didn't come to this new place looking for love, or even a relationship, but then I met Beth, and a whole new world of possibilities beckoned.
My name is Beth Nethering. My family has farmed this land for hundreds of years. As a child, I dreamed of getting away, and I did. I went to university, found a great job, got married, and had a child. I had my life mapped out then, ten years ago, everything changed. I made some tough decisions. I moved back to the family farm with my daughter then I set about rescuing the place. Now, we milk sheep not cows, we have glamping pods for tourists, and I've just rented the barn to Chrissy who sells wedding dresses. Me, I'm more used to wearing dungarees and wellies. I’m surprised but strangely flattered when Chrissy flirts with me. It's only a bit of fun, isn't it?
Excerpt
“So,” Beth began. “As you can see the barn is substantial, and there’s plenty of room for parking. You’ll have your own separate entrance, so your customers won’t have to come onto the farm. We didn’t want to turn it into another house so close to ours, so this seemed the perfect use. The place has undergone significant changes in the last ten years.”
“I suppose farmers have to diversify to make ends meet these days.”
“We do. If we depended on farming, we wouldn’t manage. It’s as simple as that.” I noted Beth didn’t explain further. Well, she doesn’t know me from Adam yet, so fair enough. “Right. Shall we go in?”
I followed Beth up the ramped entrance, noting the low threshold doors that opened wide enough to let more than one person enter. The space we stepped into was huge.
“As you can see we’ve left the insides for you to configure, though there is a small kitchen and toilet facilities at the other end. We’ve made it so people can plan for themselves. I’m not sure what you’ll need, but Stan, our builder will sort everything for you. We’ve added a good security system too, which I’ll explain later.”
I stepped to the middle of the space and turned slowly, imagining where everything I needed could go.
“What do you think?” Beth’s question interrupted my thoughts.
“I need a space for changing rooms, storage of the dresses, and a space for the customers to show off to their friends and family. Prospective brides hardly ever shop alone, and some bring a large entourage. I want this place to be a destination for women in the north. Each visit will be especially for them. Each person will have an appointment though I won’t stop people just dropping in. Each will get fitted by me. Each will get advice. Each will be able to feel confident they will get the dress which makes them look as incredible as they all deserve.” I stopped.
Beth stared at me, eyes wide, with a blush on her cheeks.
“Sorry. I can go on. My sister-in-law had a terrible experience from haughty women staring down their noses at her until I found a designer who catered for someone her size. I saw the joy on her face the day she first put on the dress, and the same joy the day she wore it to marry my brother.” I didn’t explain how my ex-wife thought specialising in large sizes was financial suicide.
“I understand,” Beth said. “And I think it’s a lovely idea. I lost weight to fit into my dress.”
“I didn’t realise you were married,” I blurted out before my brain kicked into gear.
“I’m not. Not anymore. Divorced ten years ago. We still keep in touch, and he does all the farm accounts, but he lives in London with his second wife. Our daughter spends time with him during the holidays.”
“How old is she—your daughter?”
“Amy is seventeen going on thirty-five like most teenage girls. Unlike a lot though, she has a sensible head on her shoulders.” Beth glanced out of a window. “And she loves this place.”
“Just like you do?”
Beth sighed. I have no doubt there was a whole history in that sigh. “Me?” She shrugged. “I grew up hating it. Couldn’t wait to get away. But you don’t always get what you want from life, do you?
About the Author
Originally from South Wales, Alexa has lived for over forty years in the North West of England. Now retired, after a long career in teaching, she devotes her time to her obsessions.
Alexa began writing when her favourite character was killed in her favourite show. After producing a lot of fanfiction she ventured into original writing.
She is currently owned by a mad cat and spends her time writing about the men in her head, watching her favourite television programmes and usually crying over her favourite football team.
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