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Happy New Year from Seattle and More Romance Please!

Spotlight: Until You Came Along by Kshitij

Until You Came Along
Kshitij



Genre: YA Romance
Number of pages: 350




Book Description:

People never change; they only become more or less of who they really are…

Just as mysteriously as Alyssa appeared in Estella’s life she disappeared. Who was Alyssa, really?  For all their years of friendship in college, Estella has no idea why Alyssa left without saying goodbye after graduation.  Now, after all these years, Alyssa leaves a recording on Estella’s voicemail –an RSVP to their college reunion! Trembling with delight and dread, Estella has only one question:  Why?

Alyssa has been searching for something all her life—her future. She believes in nothing but success and winning. Manipulative, willful, emotionally cold is the best way she can describe herself.  To the world and her college mates, she’s glamorous, confident and has life on a silver platter—men dream of having her and women dream of being her!  But Alyssa is blind to everything except success…
until she meets Kurt, a dreamy exchange student, who challenges everything she believes, while his touch runs through her body like the sweetest flame, making her want things she knows she shouldn’t have!  Kurt wants her heart and that’s the one thing Alyssa can’t give him.

Through seven years of silence, Estella and Alyssa discover life is ever changing—just as their perception of themselves…yet, how could they ever know tragedy and joy are from the same tears of life?

Amazon

Excerpt:

This has to be my final and the most memorable trophy before the term at Stoke ends.” Alyssa looked at Estella with a smile, awaiting her response. Things somehow never seemed sure to Alyssa until Estella confirmed them. The answer to every question in Alyssa’s life, no matter how trivial it was, had to be assured by Estella. 

Estella nodded yes and then dropped her head to attend to the afternoon meal. While Alyssa somehow never felt the need to eat, Estella was pretty disciplined when it came to her food. She had to eat three times a day, no matter what was going on around her. She never believed in skipping meals. She knew it only took a few minutes to eat, even if one was in a hurry. But Estella had almost given up in her efforts to make Alyssa eat, and she herself sometimes missed meals when she was with Alyssa. The girls had made it a routine to be in the café at least for an afternoon meal and at all the times between or after their lectures.

“Est, why don’t you?” Alyssa said, widening her eyes.

Estella looked straight at her, wondering why her friend left the question hanging in the air. “Why don’t I what, Aly?”

“Why didn’t you register your name in QS?”

“You’re kidding, right?” Estella shook her head.

“No, I’m not. You know that.”

“Come on, Aly. You know me better than anyone. I’ve not registered because I just didn’t feel like being in it. It’s not the first time.”

Alyssa knew Estella avoided the dance competitions, or fancy dress competitions, or most of the contests of a similar kind. She couldn’t recall if they’d participated in the same competition. But Alyssa always wished Estella would consider it—she had all the qualities to win. Estella was perhaps the best at color and style, and she was a great dancer. But she only danced for fun in senior farewell parties, birthday bashes, or at Alyssa’s shindigs at London. Estella had good overall grades. Alyssa thought Estella could be her closest contender if she somehow managed to convince her friend to be part of the competition. But before Alyssa could further her argument, Estella read her face and quickly responded, “I’d never ever take part in the competition you’re in.” She grinned and made it all sound like a joke.

What was that supposed to mean? Alyssa thought, looking at Estella who was again busy with her food.

What Alyssa didn’t notice was the gaze that was locked onto her face. It was Kurt’s. He was sitting alone at the extreme corner of the café, in a seat with a view outside and with a half-finished burger, fries, and a Coke. Kurt had decided he’d never become obsessed with a single thing, person, or motive in his life. That was something he inherited from Woody. But from the first time he’d seen Alyssa, he, like so many others, couldn’t think of anything else but her. He managed to find out everything about her, which turned out to be an easy thing to do. He’d already become a stalker, following the girl, not knowing why and confused about his feelings.

“How are you, captain?” Kurt saw Nick taking a seat beside him. He’d started calling Kurt the captain, which was the best thing Kurt had heard since joining the team. Kurt thought that Nick had also noticed him staring blatantly at Alyssa. Sensing Nick had seen the subject of his gaze, Kurt dropped his eyes, feeling embarrassed.

“It’s okay, mate… she’s the hottest property in here,” Nick said, looking at Alyssa and then at Kurt. “And she’s used to such inviting and flirtatious eyes,” Nick added, picking up fries from Kurt’s plate.

Alyssa was talking and smiling, speaking with her pink lips, flashing glimpses of the dimples in her cheeks. As she tucked loose strands of hair behind her ears, Kurt saw her pierced ears and shining earrings. There were two different rings—one dangling much like a wind chime on a breezy day and the other that appeared to be a bit more unconventional in design but still held a precious jewel. That’s what Kurt assumed, not that he had any experience in female adornments.

Then he saw a man put his arm around Alyssa’s shoulder, and taking a seat with the girls.

“That’s Adam, her boyfriend,” He heard Nick say, but Kurt neither responded to Nick nor looked at Adam. His sight was fixated on her. He felt his heart was reading, looking, feeling, tasting, and breathing her. The kittenish batting of her eyes, the shape of her mouth, the gleam of her teeth, and those loose hair—wild, black, and beautiful. And then that snowy face, which could light the darkness and ignite a flame of passion in the most pessimistic soul. There must be a catch, Kurt thought. He’d heard somewhere that a smile could cure little things, but a smile like hers could end half of the world’s problems: how could anyone who’d seen Alyssa ever forget her or remember himself or remember anything, for that matter.

As he watched her kissing her boyfriend, his eyes couldn’t see anything but those lips—he opened his lips to fit hers. There was a space between them—the space he couldn’t see or feel. He was already savoring what he thought was their first of many kisses.  

About the Author:

Kshitij lives in New Delhi. He has written books in various genres. Classic literature novels, movies and culture have been his source of inspiration. Although he graduated with a business degree, the word ‘ART’ holds a special place his heart. When not writing, he can be found learning about history, food, and people for his new book.

Author Links:
Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 

Sale! Time Enough for Love by Morgan O'Neill

Time Enough for Love

Book Two of the Italian Time Travel Series

Morgan O'Neill

Publisher: Time’s Arrow Productions

Publication Date: October 8, 2014

Genre: Historical/Time Travel Fiction

~On Sale December 22-28!~

Just .99 US/UK

Don't miss out on this great buy of Book Two in Morgan O'Neill's Italian Time Travel Series.

About the Book:

Through dark magic, Californian Gwendolyn Godwyn has been swept back in time to medieval Italy. There, she finds herself in the midst of a war between Italy's rightful queen, Adelaide, and those who have kidnapped her and seek to usurp her crown. Risking her life, Gwen elects to play a pivotal role in the planned rescue. In the midst of the chaos, she is drawn to the queen's champion, Lord Alberto Uzzo, who battles not only their military foes, but also his personal demons. Tested to the limit when he discovers Gwen's true identity as a time traveler, Alberto nevertheless fights through his doubt and the whirl of superstition that surrounds this intriguing and strong-willed woman. Time is of the essence as the lovers seek to defeat the evil forces rallying against the queen they've vowed to save. Will Gwen and Alberto be able to overcome the groundswell of danger to find time enough for love?

AmazonUS  | AmazonUK

About the Author:

A chance meeting at a writers' conference brought Cary Morgan Frates and Deborah O'Neill Cordes together, two award-winning authors who connected because of a mutual love of time travel fiction. Collaboration ensued, the search for a pen name the first step in their working relationship. Their maiden names provided the solution - and "Morgan O'Neill" was born. 

Cary and Deborah's backgrounds are uniquely suited to writing stories steeped in atmosphere and history: Deborah has a Master's Degree in history and is a dedicated genealogist; Cary is a talented linguist in French and is currently a student of Latin. They've traveled to Europe's ancient and medieval sites many times, with Cary living on the Continent for five years. 

The Morgan O'Neill time travel novels have received a number of literary awards, including two finalist wins in the Booksellers' Best Awards, two semifinalist wins in the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition, first, second, and third place wins for the Mainstream Novel with Strong Romantic Elements category of the Golden Rose Contest, a top ten finalist award in the Pacific Northwest Writers' Conference Zola Awards Literary Contest, and a top ten finalist win in the Orange Rose Contest.

Author Links:

Website | Newsletter | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter 

N

Merry Christmas!

~From More Romance Please

Sale! Time Enough for Love by Morgan O'Neill

Time Enough for Love

Book Two of the Italian Time Travel Series

Morgan O'Neill

Publisher: Time’s Arrow Productions

Publication Date: October 8, 2014

Genre: Historical/Time Travel Fiction

~On Sale December 22-28!~

Just .99 US/UK

Don't miss out on this great buy of Book Two in Morgan O'Neill's Italian Time Travel Series.

About the Book:

Through dark magic, Californian Gwendolyn Godwyn has been swept back in time to medieval Italy. There, she finds herself in the midst of a war between Italy's rightful queen, Adelaide, and those who have kidnapped her and seek to usurp her crown. Risking her life, Gwen elects to play a pivotal role in the planned rescue. In the midst of the chaos, she is drawn to the queen's champion, Lord Alberto Uzzo, who battles not only their military foes, but also his personal demons. Tested to the limit when he discovers Gwen's true identity as a time traveler, Alberto nevertheless fights through his doubt and the whirl of superstition that surrounds this intriguing and strong-willed woman. Time is of the essence as the lovers seek to defeat the evil forces rallying against the queen they've vowed to save. Will Gwen and Alberto be able to overcome the groundswell of danger to find time enough for love?

AmazonUS  | AmazonUK

About the Author:

A chance meeting at a writers' conference brought Cary Morgan Frates and Deborah O'Neill Cordes together, two award-winning authors who connected because of a mutual love of time travel fiction. Collaboration ensued, the search for a pen name the first step in their working relationship. Their maiden names provided the solution - and "Morgan O'Neill" was born. 

Cary and Deborah's backgrounds are uniquely suited to writing stories steeped in atmosphere and history: Deborah has a Master's Degree in history and is a dedicated genealogist; Cary is a talented linguist in French and is currently a student of Latin. They've traveled to Europe's ancient and medieval sites many times, with Cary living on the Continent for five years. 

The Morgan O'Neill time travel novels have received a number of literary awards, including two finalist wins in the Booksellers' Best Awards, two semifinalist wins in the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition, first, second, and third place wins for the Mainstream Novel with Strong Romantic Elements category of the Golden Rose Contest, a top ten finalist award in the Pacific Northwest Writers' Conference Zola Awards Literary Contest, and a top ten finalist win in the Orange Rose Contest.

Author Links:

Website | Newsletter | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter 

Spotlight: Annabeth Neverending by Leyla Kader Dahm

Annabeth Neverending
Leyla Kader Dahm



Genre: YA paranormal romance/historical
Number of pages: 300



Book Description:

At first, teenager Annabeth Prescott thinks she’s found quite a deal when she talks down the price of an ankh pendant she discovers at a flea market. She soon wonders if the bauble is more than she's bargained for when she faints and glimpses images from a past life in ancient Egypt.

The discovery coincides with another new find: Gabriel, a handsome young man who takes an interest in her. When she meets his twin brother C. J. at a Halloween party, she realizes they look exactly like two boys who figure prominently into her memories.

Does C. J. share the heroic qualities held by his past incarnation Sethe, her bodyguard when she was Princess Ana? Does Gabriel possess the same evil powers he wielded as Kha, the black sorcerer who sought her affection?

Love meets the supernatural in this gripping young adult paranormal romance. Readers with an interest in reincarnation, as well as ancient Egypt, will be drawn to its mystical mixture of history and hesitation as Annabeth sways between the two brothers.

Will her reincarnated soulmate win out? Or will Kha finally find the way to her heart?


 Excerpt:

I come to amid a background of concerned chatter and find myself surrounded by a crowd of curious onlookers…and a strange boy. His muscular arms are holding me tight, making sure I don’t RSVP to the gravel’s invitation. He’s impossibly good looking, with the palest-possible blue eyes and the darkest-possible black hair.

He couldn’t be less like the slave in my…hallucination?…but he’s just as handsome. Not like it’s a contest.

“You passed out. Good thing I was here to catch you,” says my hero, while wagging a pair of thick brows.

Amazon

About the Author:

Leyla Kader Dahm popped popcorn and dreamt of a career in show business when working in a movie theater while in high school. The small-town Midwestern girl went another route and studied communications at Carroll College and Cornell University, but still found herself drawn to the big screen when a temp agency placed her in a production and development gig at Miramax/Dimension Films.
Dahm went on to work as a script consultant for numerous production companies. She appeared in the acclaimed spoken word show Sit ‘N Spin and had her comedy feature spec, Due North, optioned by Michael Levy Enterprises. She sold her pitch, Survival Instinct, to Nickelodeon Original Movies. Dahm lives with her husband, sitcom writer Richard Dahm, and her children in Los Angeles.

Author Links:
Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Tour Giveaway:
5 signed paperback copies
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sale! The Other Side of Heaven by Morgan O'Neill

The Other Side of Heaven

Book One of the Italian Time Travel Series

Morgan O’Neill

Publisher: Time’s Arrow Productions

Publication Date: October 8, 2014

Genre: Historical/Time Travel Fiction

~On Sale December 16-22!~
Just .99 US/UK

Don't miss out on this great buy of Book One in Morgan O'Neill's Italian Time Travel Series.

About the Book:

Californian Gwendolyn Godwyn seeks to learn her family’s history and hopes to restore the bond that once existed between her Italian forebearers and those who live in America. While visiting her ancestral Italian town, Gwen is caught in a violent earthquake and inexplicably thrust through time. 
At first refusing to believe what has happened, she nevertheless uses her wits to survive, donning a monk’s cowl to hide her identity as a woman. Ripped apart from all she has ever known, Gwen finds herself in the midst of brutal territorial battles in an era she once blithely called “The Dark Ages.” When the golden Italian summer of 951 emerges from the strife and gloom, Gwen joins forces with a cadre of gallant men, allies in the struggle against the evil nobles, Willa of Tuscany and Count Berengar, kidnappers of Italy’s rightful queen, Adelaide. Along with Father Warinus and Lord Alberto Uzzo, Gwen seeks to rescue Adelaide and restore her kingdom. In the midst of this great adventure, Gwen falls in love with the complex and passionate Alberto, to whom she reveals her identity as a woman. But can Alberto learn to love her strong and independent nature and help Gwen in her quest to discover her rightful place in time?

AmazonUS | AmazonUK

About the Author:

A chance meeting at a writers' conference brought Cary Morgan Frates and Deborah O'Neill Cordes together, two award-winning authors who connected because of a mutual love of time travel fiction. Collaboration ensued, the search for a pen name the first step in their working relationship. Their maiden names provided the solution - and "Morgan O'Neill" was born. 

Cary and Deborah's backgrounds are uniquely suited to writing stories steeped in atmosphere and history: Deborah has a Master's Degree in history and is a dedicated genealogist; Cary is a talented linguist in French and is currently a student of Latin. They've traveled to Europe's ancient and medieval sites many times, with Cary living on the Continent for five years. 

The Morgan O'Neill time travel novels have received a number of literary awards, including two finalist wins in the Booksellers' Best Awards, two semifinalist wins in the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition, first, second, and third place wins for the Mainstream Novel with Strong Romantic Elements category of the Golden Rose Contest, a top ten finalist award in the Pacific Northwest Writers' Conference Zola Awards Literary Contest, and a top ten finalist win in the Orange Rose Contest.

Author Links:

Website | Newsletter | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter 

Spotlight: Hope at Christmas by Keeley Smith

Hope at Christmas
Serendipity Series
Book 1
Keeley Smith



Genre: Romance/Chick-Lit
Publisher: Feedaread
Date of Publication: Dec 18, 2015
Number of pages: 300


Book Description:

With only 25 days left until Christmas day, Hope makes the rash decision to quit her job.  After a weekend wallowing in self pity, she takes this new opportunity to finally get the job she’s always wanted...only she doesn’t know what she wants to do... She doesn’t think her life can get any worse.

Until she throws coffee on a stranger.

Having finally told his parents that he planned to never follow his father’s footsteps in business, Daniel’s morning didn’t start out that well either.

Until a woman throws coffee on him.

This chance meeting sets off a chain of events.  A wedding.  Downton Abbey.  The roaring 20’s...and a drunk, sexually frustrated cousin.  Neither of them are prepared for this connection, but when does romance ever run a smooth course? With secrets and exes throwing road blocks their way, will it all become too much and end their blossoming romance before it’s even begun?


About the Author:
Keeley Smith is the author of Young Adult series, The Pendle Hill Series and The Soul Keeper Trilogy.
When she’s not writing, she’s reading, eating (chocolate, usually), spending time with her husband and gorgeous dog and colouring- because a genius created colouring books for adults!
She lives in the UK, but would prefer to live somewhere less likely to experience all four seasons in one day.

Author Links:
Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Smashwords

 

Sale! The Other Side of Heaven by Morgan O'Neill

The Other Side of Heaven

Book One of the Italian Time Travel Series

Morgan O’Neill

Publisher: Time’s Arrow Productions

Publication Date: October 8, 2014

Genre: Historical/Time Travel Fiction

~On Sale December 16-22!~
Just .99 US/UK

Don't miss out on this great buy of Book One in Morgan O'Neill's Italian Time Travel Series.

About the Book:

Californian Gwendolyn Godwyn seeks to learn her family’s history and hopes to restore the bond that once existed between her Italian forebearers and those who live in America. While visiting her ancestral Italian town, Gwen is caught in a violent earthquake and inexplicably thrust through time. 
At first refusing to believe what has happened, she nevertheless uses her wits to survive, donning a monk’s cowl to hide her identity as a woman. Ripped apart from all she has ever known, Gwen finds herself in the midst of brutal territorial battles in an era she once blithely called “The Dark Ages.” When the golden Italian summer of 951 emerges from the strife and gloom, Gwen joins forces with a cadre of gallant men, allies in the struggle against the evil nobles, Willa of Tuscany and Count Berengar, kidnappers of Italy’s rightful queen, Adelaide. Along with Father Warinus and Lord Alberto Uzzo, Gwen seeks to rescue Adelaide and restore her kingdom. In the midst of this great adventure, Gwen falls in love with the complex and passionate Alberto, to whom she reveals her identity as a woman. But can Alberto learn to love her strong and independent nature and help Gwen in her quest to discover her rightful place in time?

AmazonUS | AmazonUK

About the Author:

A chance meeting at a writers' conference brought Cary Morgan Frates and Deborah O'Neill Cordes together, two award-winning authors who connected because of a mutual love of time travel fiction. Collaboration ensued, the search for a pen name the first step in their working relationship. Their maiden names provided the solution - and "Morgan O'Neill" was born. 

Cary and Deborah's backgrounds are uniquely suited to writing stories steeped in atmosphere and history: Deborah has a Master's Degree in history and is a dedicated genealogist; Cary is a talented linguist in French and is currently a student of Latin. They've traveled to Europe's ancient and medieval sites many times, with Cary living on the Continent for five years. 

The Morgan O'Neill time travel novels have received a number of literary awards, including two finalist wins in the Booksellers' Best Awards, two semifinalist wins in the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition, first, second, and third place wins for the Mainstream Novel with Strong Romantic Elements category of the Golden Rose Contest, a top ten finalist award in the Pacific Northwest Writers' Conference Zola Awards Literary Contest, and a top ten finalist win in the Orange Rose Contest.

Author Links:

Website | Newsletter | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter 

Spotlight: A Crack in Time by Catherine St. James

A Crack in Time
Catherine St. James



Genre: Paranormal Western  Romance
(Gold Rush Time-Travel)
Date of Publication: November 17th, 2015
Number of pages: 206 (paperback)
Cover Artist: Rogenna Brewer



Book Description:

Their love may be trapped forever between the past and the future…

Sara Witherspoon is a beautiful and brilliant research microbiologist who calls herself “a crackerjack gene-splicer;” she’s about to marry Bruce Rule, a high-flying commodities broker.

But while visiting St. Elmo’s Fire, Vermont, Sara encounters an anomaly in the space time continuum and falls through a crack in time to the 1870’s gold rush town of Bury-Me-Quick Colorado, where she meets Clay Dunhill, a soft-spoken, gentlemanly outlaw awaiting trial for murder.

At first, Sara thinks she’s hallucinating - prenuptial jitters, stress or an endocrine system malfunction - but she quickly finds out the bullets are just as real as her growing love for Clay…

Excerpt: 

Sara sat up and looked around. It was daytime and she was sitting on a grassy slope next to a road. There was a mild, tingling sensation where the spark had hit her in the forehead. She stood up, feeling lightheaded. She could see a haphazard cluster of buildings‚ tents, lean-tos, and shacks stretched out along a tree-lined creek bed about half a mile away. A blue cloud of smoke hung in the air. And beyond was a majestic, snow-capped mountain range.

How could this be? A moment ago she was in Vermont with her aunt and Bruce. She obviously wasn’t in Vermont any longer. There were no mountains like this in Vermont.

She heard something approaching along the road. She turned and saw a horse-drawn buggy driven by a white-haired man. The driver stopped next to her. He was dressed in a black suit, a white shirt with a starched collar, a string tie, and a black-brimmed hat. Sara’s first thought was that he was Amish. Was this Pennsylvania? How did she get to Pennsylvania? But how could this be Pennsylvania? They didn’t have any high mountains like this in Pennsylvania, either.

“You all right, miss?” the man in the buggy said.

“I don’t know.”

“Your horse throw you?”

“Horse?”

“You look a little dazed. I’m Doc Clifford. You want my professional medical opinion, I think you should get in out of the sun. Get aboard, I’ll give you a ride into town.”

She got into the buggy and, with a flick of the buggy whip, the buggy lurched forward.

He leaned over and looked closely at her eyes. “When we get to town, maybe I ought to give you a good examination. Looks like you got a pretty good bump right in the middle of your forehead. Jarred your senses.”

He blinked at her, then flicked the reins of the horse. It sped up. “I think you might have a bad concussion there.”

“I do feel a bit woozy.”

The rough dirt road curved around the slope of the hill and carried them into town. There was a lot of construction going on and at first Sara thought it might be a movie set. The main street was curved upwards, with short side streets—little more than alleys—shooting off from it. A cluster of buildings in the center had board sidewalks and porches and a line of skinny poles holding up a single wire.

Smoke from a dozen cook fires and chimneys lay over the town like a blanket.

The buggy had slowed as they entered the town. The streets were crammed with wagons, carriages, mules, donkeys, and people‚ mostly men in flannel shirts and jeans and cowboy hats. A medicine man on the back of a garishly painted wagon was hawking his wares to half a dozen men and a couple women dressed in long skirts and bonnets and carrying parasols.

“What is this?” Sara asked. “Are you having frontier days or something?”

“I don’t catch your meaning. This is Bury-Me-Quick, Colorado.”

“How did I get here?”

“Probably took the train to Denver and the overland stage from there. That’s how most folks get here.”

They were passing the jail. The gallows were under construction next to it.

“Stop!” she said.

“Whoa!—What is it?”

“Who are they getting ready to hang?”

“Some gambler. Shot an unarmed man, so six witnesses said. Me, I wouldn’t believe any of them six witnesses if they swore the sun was high in the sky at noon.”

The horse had stopped. Sara got off the buggy.

“Young lady, you best come to my office!”

“I have to check something out.”

She went into the sheriff’s office at the front of the red brick jail building. Inside were a roll-top desk, a gun rack, and a pot-bellied stove. The walls were papered with wanted posters. Behind the desk, opposite the door, sat a fat, bewhiskered man in a rumpled suit with a striped vest. He stood up.

“Afternoon, siss. What can I do for you?”

“The man you’re going to hang. I’d like to talk to him.”

“Are you a friend?”

“I think so. I’m not sure.”

The sheriff smiled. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt. A shame Clay got himself into this braggadocio, but I got to do what my sworn duty says I got to do, and that’s hang him at dawn tomorrow.”

“I wish I knew what’s going on around here,” Sara said. “Are you folks making a TV show or something?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know how to answer that, ma’am. You want to see Dunhill or don’t you?”

“I guess I do.” Sara felt a shudder of fear, as she sometimes did when she had to give a presentation. Her skin tingled.

The sheriff led her through a door to the back room. There were two small cells, one on the left, one on the right. A young deputy sat on a high stool against the wall opposite the cells with a shotgun in his lap. He nodded to her as a greeting and spat some tobacco juice into a spittoon.

“Afternoon, ma’am.”

The only inmate was sitting on a bunk tossing cards into his hat, humming a tune. He turned around. It was the man Sara had seen in the crystal ball, with the same cocky grin. His dark eyes lit up when he saw her.

“Well, now, who’s this?” He squinted at her. “Do I know you?”

Sara felt a rush of confusing emotions. Her heart fluttered. She was dizzy. She touched the spot on her forehead where she’d been hit with the spark. This was all some kind of crazy dream, she decided. That was the only explanation.

“I hope you don’t find me too forward,” Clay Dunhill said, “but could I know your name?”

“Sara Witherspoon.”

“A fine name.”

“Do I know you, Mr. Dunhill?” Sara asked‚ approaching the bars to his cell. His gaze seemed so deep and he looked at her with such intense warmth and tenderness she couldn’t quite catch her breath. She was excited, yet frightened—she’d never felt this way before.

Clay Dunhill touched her hand through the bars. A jolt of electricity went through her and, in its wake, a warm sensation spread throughout her being. Her heart felt as if it would burst. Looking into his dark eyes stirred something deep within her and turned her incredibly soft inside.

But how could she feel anything for a complete stranger? Maybe she had inadvertently taken some kind of drug. She had read about fungi that caused people to hallucinate. Yes, that was it, that had to be it. She had taken some hallucinogen by accident. Maybe it was the lunch she had at a roadside diner in a little Massachusetts town she and Bruce had driven through.

“My old grandmother said once I was destined to meet a woman who would steal my heart. You might just be the one. Too bad I’m about to be hung.”

Amazon


About the Author:

Catherine St. James wanted to be a writer as soon as she learned to read at age four. She has an adventurous spirit and has traveled widely, including time in Ethiopia where she spent some months in a Coptic monastery praying, fasting, chanting, and meditating. She's an award winning short story writer and lives on a 28 foot sloop, Write-on!, in Northern California with her cat, Rascal. Recently she's met the love of her life and has yet to discover where this adventure might take her, and is eager to find out.

Catherine writes romance and mystery.

Author Links:
Mailing List | Website | Amazon | Goodreads 

Spotlight: Honor of a Scottish Warrior by Sky Purington

Honor of a Scottish Warrior
The MacLomain Seris
Later Years, Book 2
Sky Purington

Genre:  Time-travel Fantasy Romance
Date of Publication: Dec 1, 2015
Number of pages:  270
Cover Artist:  Tamra Westberry

Book Description:

Born and raised in South Boston, Nicole is tougher than most. Fearless some might say. Even in light of the fact she might be going deaf. Then her courage is put to the test when her Broun lineage introduces a whole new reality. Time travel exists. An evil enemy awaits her in medieval Scotland. And the newfound Claddagh ring on her finger? It means she has no choice but to travel back to the thirteenth century. Straight into the arms and under the protection of a man she would rather never see again.

Cousin to the Laird, Niall MacLomain wants nothing more than to keep safe the future King of Scotland. Regrettably, that also means keeping safe a headstrong lass from the future. But his honor means everything. No matter how exasperated, he swore that no harm would come to Nicole. However, protecting the feisty redhead ends up stirring his blood in more ways than one.

When Niall and Nicole come together, sparks fly. Excitement. Strife. Desire. But not love. Never that. Determined to work as a team to keep little Robert the Bruce safe, they embark on a non-stop adventure. With help from the MacLomain’s Viking ancestors, they might just stand a chance against Brae Stewart and her villainous partner. More than that, they could very well discover that they fare far better together than they ever did apart.

Excerpt:

“I didnae think you were a piece of meat.” Niall ground his jaw. “I would never think that.”

“Then what gave you the right to offer me up to another man!”

“’Twas just a means of pushing you away.” Niall’s tone was low and his eyes level. “But I dinnae feel that way any longer.”

Her brows rose. “Oh, you don’t do you? Well, I hate to break it to you but your chances with me are slim to none.”

The corner of his lips curled up and the look in his eyes was a smidge too knowing. “So there’s a slim chance, is there?”

Disarmed by his cool confidence, she shook her head. “Let me rephrase. There’s no chance.”

Yet she wasn’t storming out of here like she had every right to do. Instead, her feet were frozen to the floor and her eyes still locked with his.

“Nicole?” It was Cassie. “Is everything okay down there?”

Niall and Nicole kept eying one another. Was everything okay? Not in the least. But when she yelled up to her friend, it was that all was well. Go back to sleep. Then she realized Cassie might need help. When she started forward, Niall came to his feet and stopped her. “She's already gone. She knows how to find her way back to Logan.”

Her eyes rose to his. “If we’re going to work toward getting along you need to stop blocking my path…in general.”

“I’ll always block your path if it means protecting you.” His eyes dropped to her hand. “But mayhap ’twill be a path we walk together.”

He was looking at the Claddagh ring that had mysteriously appeared on her finger. A ring whose clear stone would apparently turn to a gem that matched the eye color of the MacLomain wizard she was meant for.

“I think you hope for too much.” She twisted the ring so that the crowned, heart-held stone was facing palm side. “Because I don’t do love. Never have. Never will.”

“Nor I,” he assured, stepping back so she could pass if she wanted to. “But that doesnae mean I haven’t grown curious.”

“Human nature,” she said carefully. “There are two more Brouns coming. There’s a good chance one of them is meant for you.”

“Aye,” he agreed, still standing far too close. “But ’tis not them I’m curious about.”

“You should be. They’re awesome.” Her eyes stayed with his. Why wasn’t she stepping away? What kept her from barely breathing? It was an odd and unfamiliar feeling. “They’re damn beautiful too.”

She got the sense he was as perplexed by his behavior as she was by hers.

“You’re damn beautiful,” he murmured.

Men had always liked her looks and said as much. Yet there was something different about him saying it. Somehow it weighed better on her in an unexplainable way that she couldn’t put her finger on. Then it occurred to her.

He wasn’t saying it to get in her pants.

Outside of her friends, it might just be the most genuine compliment anyone had ever given her. Startled by the revelation, she tore her eyes away. Though she wasn’t in the least, she said, “I’m tired. Where should I crash?”

“In our chamber,” he said. “I’ll show you the way.”

Her brows flew together as her eyes shot back to his. “Our chamber?”

“Aye. ’Tis far too dangerous now to have you out of my sight.” Then an edge of humor met his voice. “But worry naught. There are two beds.”

“Yet every time I’ve woken up since traveling back in time, I’m in your arms,” she muttered and strode for the stairs. 

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About the Author:

Sky Purington is the best-selling author of eighteen novels and several novellas. A New Englander born and bred, Sky was raised hearing stories of folklore, myth and legend. When combined with a love for nature, romance and time-travel, elements from the stories of her youth found release in her books.

Purington loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at Sky@SkyPurington.com. Interested in keeping up with Sky's latest news and releases? Visit Sky's website to download her free App on iTunes and Android or sign up for her quarterly newsletter. Love social networking? Find Sky on Facebook and Twitter.

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