Welcome to the 2015 October Frights Blog Hop
Join 40+ paranormal and horror authors for ten days of screaming good fun. Books and prizes to be won!
From October 1-10th, join me for free short stories, exclusive excerpts, and Rafflecopter contests. I'm offering signed paperbacks & ecopies of my books, AND some awesome prizes. On October 10th, there's a grand prize so be sure and stop by then.
Today is exclusive excerpt day!
How far would you go to redeem yourself?
After a devastating accident, Lucinda moves to a small town in an attempt to start over. Unable to escape her grief, she is plagued by haunting nightmares. Just as she fears she’s spiraling out of control, two newcomers move into the coastal town. Lucas is protective and caring, and she feels an immediate connection. The other stranger is more of a worry. Though everything about Cronan warns her to keep her distance, Lucinda is attracted to him in a way she can’t ignore.
Drawn into a bitter tug-of-war, Lucinda is pulled into a dangerous twist of past and present events. She discovers the two men are locked in not only a battle for her life...but a battle for salvation.
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BETWEEN Excerpt:
Cronan stood on the porch. Swathed in a black overcoat this time, his hands were behind his back. Icy, gray eyes reflected the light from within. “Did I surprise you?”
“Um, I was expecting somebody else,” she responded without thinking. Her eyes flickered past him into the darkness.
“I never had the chance to thank you for your hospitality the other night.”
“That’s quite all right Mr. Cronan. Were you able to find a place to stay?” Her heart pounded in her chest.
“I am still working on it. And please, just Cronan. No Mister.”
There was an expectant pause before he continued. “I brought you something.” He pulled a wine bottle out from behind his back. “A small token of my appreciation.”
Lucinda felt her cheeks warm. “How nice of you. I don’t really drink.”
“Ever?” He ran his hand along the door frame, keeping his eyes upon her.
“Well, um, sometimes.” Her gaze followed his hand. “You really didn’t need to do that. But thank you.”
“And you,” he continued, “did not need to offer to let me sleep here the other night.” Cronan took a slight step forward. “But you did.”
Lucinda nervously took the bottle from him. She read the label. “Nineteen thirty-seven? Wow, that’s old.”
“Not so old.”
“Huh. Um, I really need to turn in for the night.” She heard Darwin’s insistent barking from the backyard and turned at the sound. When she turned back, she jumped. Cronan stood over her. Her breath quickened. “Good luck finding a place.”
“Yes.” He looked down at her, appraising her with an icy stare. “Could you recommend a dwelling around here?”
“I’m sure there are plenty of ‘dwellings’ around here. Or the next town over if the beach rentals are full. Maybe you should talk to a real estate agent?”
Disappointment crossed his features. Cronan made no move to leave but continued to stand over her, eyes locked with hers.
Lucinda found herself studying his face without thinking. His light skin was unmarred, broken only by the faint, dark shadow of stubble along his jaw line. His lips quirked upward, slightly mocking. She felt his cool breath brush her cheek, and her thoughts tumbled over themselves. The scent of summer rain hitting stones seemed to emanate from his skin. “I need to go.”
“Yes, you do.” Cronan paused. He bowed his head and took a step back from the threshold.
Lucinda fumbled with the door. “Thank you, again, for the wine. Really.”
Tautness settled across his lips.
She closed the door and locked the sticky deadbolt with some difficulty. Rushing to the back, she let Darwin in. He frantically sniffed around her feet and ran to the front door, growling.
“Okay, Darwin. Everything’s fine. Calm down.” She set the bottle on the counter and stared at it like it was a venomous snake.
Okay, Lucinda, get a grip, she told herself. Nothing happened. He gave you a bottle of wine, for heaven’s sake.
She gazed at the bottle on her counter. “It must have cost a fortune, though.” She picked it up again. “Nineteen thirty-seven Château Gilette Crème de Tête.” She ran the tips of her fingers across the smooth unmarred label, lingering at the edges. Setting the bottle back on the counter, she headed to bed.
The wind picked up outside. A presence slipped through the house and around the corners before it finally settled beside Lucinda’s sleeping form with a restless exhale.
***
BETWEEN includes a signed paperback or ecopy (your choice), Celtic Design key necklace, and a pair of Angel wings earrings, crafted by Clarissa Johal
