Andrew Merrick was whisked from his home in England, 1848 to
another time, the very day a mob had attacked his family. Wondering why he
remains in this strange place, all he wants is find the treasure his father had
hidden, hoping this might take Andrew back home. But he’s running out of time.
When he meets a lovely woman in this strange new era, he feels she is the one
who will help him.
Halle Chapman has come to England to find her missing
father. What she finds instead is a nice man who claims he’s from the past.
Although she doesn’t believe in time-travel, deep in her heart, she knows she
must help Andrew. What she finds instead is discovering the key to her future
lies in the past. Now, to return to her own time, she needs to solve the
mystery surrounding Andrew Merrick and his family’s murder.
**teaser**
“This is what I
wore when I came through time.” Andrew touched the hole in his sleeve. “This is
where a bullet grazed me.”
Halle gasped and
jerked her hand back. Taking more time, she studied his clothes. The way the
stitches were done; the fabric and design told her this was no remake either.
“Andrew, where did you get my gown?”
“From upstairs in
one of the locked rooms.”
“Really? Is that
why those rooms are locked because they hold items like this?”
He nodded. “I
think so, but I cannot be certain.”
“So…perhaps I
shouldn’t wear this.”
“On the contrary,
my dear. This was in my family’s
house, and because this is still my family’s house no matter what century we are in, the gown is my
gift to you.”
Strange, how he
said that with such conviction, and even stranger that she wanted so badly to
believe.
Confusion clogged
her mind once again, and she turned away from him and walked toward the bureau.
Taking deep breaths, she placed a hand on her chest. Unfortunately, this was upsetting
her more than she was prepared for. Didn’t Andrew know how ridiculous his story
sounded? “Oh, Andrew. I wish I could believe you, but it’s so hard.”
Silence hung heavy
in the room for a few earth-shattering minutes, only the thud of her heartbeat
against her ribs rang through her ears. Finally, heavy footsteps echoed behind
her mere moments before the lamp dimmed. Gasping, she swung around. “Why did
you do that?”
“I don’t want you
to look at my face with your eyes. Look with your heart.”
He walked closer
until he stood a breath away. The skirt of her gown brushed against his
trouser-legs. Gentle fingertips stroked the side of her face then trailed down
her neck until his whole hand rested on her shoulder. Warmth cascaded through
her and she shivered.
“Close your eyes
if you must, but I’m going to take you back the day of my brother’s wedding. I will
describe to you every detail in the room, every stitch of clothing worn by my
family and the other guests.” His thumb rubbed her collarbone. “I shall answer
any questions you have about that night or anything else you would like to
know. Halle, I will do anything to make you believe I’m telling the truth.”
Up this close and
in the shadows, it was easy to believe he was twenty-nine. It was easy to think
of him being back in 1848 because of his dress and mannerisms. Even his voice
didn’t sound as old as he looked. And heaven help her, she wanted to believe he
was that man who she’d day-dreamed so much about since staring at his portrait.
She took a deep
breath, trying to think of a question to ask. Something men don’t usually know…unless
they were back in those days. “Tell me about Lord Brimhall’s wedding.”
Through the
shadows, she noticed a smile tugging on the corners of his mouth, and as he
started talking, his voice relaxed her, slowly removing her worries.
“December 6th,
1848, was a lovely winter day; the day my brother married Lady Helen.”
Andrew spoke like
a true gentleman of the realm, like nobility ran through his blood, as if he had
really been there. The tone of his voice nearly hypnotized her, and staring
into his shadowed face didn’t help matters, either, because he was so handsome.
He described the
room and what everyone wore. Halle couldn’t believe how detailed he was. Men were
usually not that way. When he talked of his family, emotion clogged his throat,
and she could feel how much he loved them. Most of all, he described the
wedding perfectly—just as it had been back in those days, which were different
than ceremonies now.
When he stopped,
she wanted to hear more. It didn’t matter about what. His voice was so
soothing. “Tell me, Andrew, what kind of meal was served?”
He took her hand
and pulled her back to the bed where they both sat on the edge, facing each
other. She stared into his dark eyes, not caring that he remained in the
shadows. It was easier to believe he was twenty-ninth years old this way.
When he mentioned
rosemary shortcake and cucumber sandwiches, Halle’s heart soared. Men of her
day didn’t know facts like this. Doubts of his story flew from her mind, and
she couldn’t help but think of him as Lord Andrew at this moment.
Watch book trailer - http://youtu.be/E1C_IKJqwC4
11 comments:
Beautiful chemistry Marie! I love how we get a glimpse of the hero through her eyes in such a potent way!
Thanks for the opportunity to post my snippet, Marie. This snippet comes from my book, A Stolen Life, which is appropriate for both adults and young adults. It's about a young pirate woman in the 1700s who is given the opportunity to make a new life for herself, by stealing another woman's identity.
If you were given the chance to live another woman’s life, even for a brief period of time, would you take it, no matter what consequences you might face later?
Some would consider such an act to be immoral and perhaps unforgiveable. But most people have not lived as I have, seen the things I’ve seen, or done the things I’ve been forced to do. So when presented with the opportunity, I seized it and never looked back. I stole another woman’s identity. With blood on my hands, but hope in my heart, I escaped with her locket around my neck, her memories etched in my mind, and her name branded upon my lips.
How could I, you ask? Having lost both mother and father at a young age, I knew no other existence except that of thievery, murder, and sin upon the high seas. My heart had become hardened from living a pirate’s life for the last ten of my eighteen years. The desire to be someone—anyone—but Kit Malone led me to drastic measures. But before you stand ready to condemn, please hear me out. Listen to my story. Then perhaps you’ll understand the reasons for doing what I did.
At the time, Beck claimed it was nothing short of luck that brought Tamsin Mallory into my life that day. Fifty years later, my husband still believes it was fate, or a miracle. Me? In short time, I came to understand why Tamsin’s destiny had become entwined with mine. It wasn’t long before providence had intervened, and my fate was sealed.
When all was said and done, I believe that what I did saved the real Tamsin from an outcome far worse than the one that ultimately took her from this earth. But was it a sin for me to covet her life as my own? Before you answer, I would ask a question of the most pious among you.
Who is to judge the behavior of any one individual except for God? Only He knows our true heart and understands why we do what we do. After all, does the Bible not say, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone?”
My husband claims angels cannot sin. I’ll know for certain when the day of my judgment arrives. But I’m not going anywhere yet. So sit back and I’ll tell you my story; the story that explains a stolen life.
Author: Stacey Coverstone
Available on Kindle and in paperback. http://www.staceycoverstone.com
Oh Marie, what a beautiful excerpt! I can't wait to read this story!
Wonderfully done! I'm intrigued and can't wait to read this! :)
Marie, I loved it!!
Here is a snippet from The Temptation of Lady Serena now on pre-order.
As he turned the corner from Carlos Place onto Grosvenor, an elegantly dressed lady glided down the street on the other side of the square, followed by a footman. There was something familiar about her. As she walked between two houses, the setting sun, hanging low in the sky, set off the dark red curls dancing around her face. It was the lady with the auburn hair. Robert strode rapidly to the opposite side of the square, but when he reached it, she was gone. Why was she always disappearing? Cursing his luck, he continued on to Dunwood House.
Ladies, thank you so much for your kind words. I think this story will have LOTS of chemistry, Lauren. :)
Thanks Stacey for the snippet. AWESOME snippet, btw. I heard from our cover artist, and she doesn't know who - between the two of us - writes faster. I told her it was you! lo
Thanks, Ella! As always, I love your snippets!
I can't wait for you to finish this book! I'm dying to know what happens.
Here's a snippet from The Viscount's Vow.
Ian climbed the last few stairs to the tower. Each one groaned and grumbled as if in pain, protesting his presence. The heartache in his chest mounted with each successive step. Reaching the turret’s vaulted door, he closed his eyes. He was afraid. Afraid to open the door. Afraid of what he would find on the other side. Afraid of Vangie hating him.
Great snippets, here is one from my 1st in the "Immortal Relations" series (the 3rd is also now ready):
The sky was starting to clear and looked as if the day would be clear and bright. At that time of morning, since it was Sunday, there were very few vehicles on the road. My driver slowed to a stop and pointed out the Old Town Hall through his windshield. Then he said, "Hotel...very soon," and in seconds he had stopped his cab at the curb by the hotel's front entrance. I got out with my bags and held out paper money and coins to pay for the trip. He took what he needed; I thanked him and waved as he drove off.
At the front desk, I arranged for a room and took the stairs to the third floor. I was still very early, but I wanted to start looking around, so I just dropped my bags by the bed, went back to the first floor and walked the short distance back to the Old Town Hall. The sidewalks were deserted; the only traffic I saw, as I walked, was a cab and an almost empty bus. Getting out my picture, I looked everywhere for other pedestrians, but it seemed too early, and I saw no one else anywhere in the area. I held the picture up high, walking around, and closely compared both the architecture and the angle from which the photograph had been taken. As I looked at the windows, I noted one that gave me a reflected view of the other side of the road. There, on the opposite side which had been empty only seconds ago, someone was suddenly standing; but I was sure there hadn't been anyone there a second before. Seeing her, dressed like a high fashion model, in a light blue, lacy, scalloped, and layered, yet shape-hugging haut-couture, dress, I gasped; My God she was stunningly beautiful! I'd seen pictures of "Hollywood starlets" and "super models" and I knew the Czechs had several of these, such as the lovely Paulina Porizkova and Petra Nemcova, and I thought this had to be one of them. But just as suddenly as she appeared, she vanished! I thought she might have moved, and I'd missed it, so I turned to look and found myself starring into a pair of eyes with nearly black irises.
Love your snippet, Marie. I adore time travel stories and can't wait to read yours.
Sandra
Thanks so much Collette & Vamp Writer for leaving some snippets. Great snippets, btw. And thanks Sandra. I'm glad you like time-travels. I can't wait to finish mine!
This truly is such a gorgeous story. So beautifully drawn! Love it!
Post a Comment