Sunday Snippet

It's Sunday again, and time for another snippet from my upcoming release, "Love Lost in Time".  Also, I invite other authors to post snippets of their stories...PG ratings, please!

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 6^th, 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

Sunday Snippet

Happy Sunday!  I hope everyone is having a relaxing day - or going to church to worship the Lord (where I've been). I have another teaser for you from my time-travel romance, "Love Lost in Time", which is scheduled to be released in September 2013.

Blurb:

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.

 

Excerpt:

Within seconds, the sky opened up and buckets of water dumped on them. By the time they made it to the gazebo, they were wet clear through. Halle laughed and hugged her arms around her chest, her damp, long hair hanging in her face. He set the basket on the bench and turned to Halle. She shivered so much it worried him. Out of the basket, he pulled the blanket, thankfully still mostly dry, and wrapped it around her shoulders. As she clutched the covering around her body, he brushed back the hair from her face. “Leave it to England’s weather to ruin a perfect afternoon.”

She laughed. “No kidding. I’d heard about your rainstorms, but this is the first I’ve experienced it firsthand.”

He glanced outside as rain fell around them. “To think, this is mild compared to most storms.”

Taking a deep breath, she tightened the blanket. “Are you cold?”

“I thank you for worrying, but no, I shall be fine.” He ran his hands down his arms and over his shirt to remove excess water. When he raised his gaze to hers, she was looking at his chest again. Glancing down, he realized why. The wet material melted to him like second skin, emphasizing his muscular frame that gratefully, traveling through time hadn’t taken away from him…yet.

When her eyes rose to meet his, her face flamed and she shyly backed away and sat on the bench. “I didn’t expect to get so cold. It was such a nice day earlier.”

“It’s just because you’re wet.” He sat beside her and rubbed up and down her arms. “Do you feel any better?”

She nodded. “A little, thanks.”

He leaned back against the wall of the gazebo and looked up at the new roof. Running, his fingers through his hair, he pushed the wet strands back on his head. The rainstorm’s timing couldn’t have been worse—or was the perfect time to interrupt the story? He didn’t want to see the look in her eyes of unbelief, especially when he told her he was Lord Andrew Merrick and had come forward in time.

Sighing heavily, he turned his head to look at her. Once again, her gaze skimmed over his body, from the top of his head slowly down to his boots. When she met his eyes, confusion marred their depths.

“Andrew? I can’t help but notice how much you look like Lord Andrew Merrick’s portrait.”

Maybe telling her the truth wouldn’t be so hard after all.

He smiled. “It pleases me to know you think this. I’m also happy to know you don’t think I resemble the marquis instead.” Since the wrinkles and streaks of gray hair would certainly put him at his father’s age.

“No, not Marquis Harrington.” She rubbed her chin. “But I wonder why you look like his son so much. And why—” Her attention dropped to his chest once more— “Why you don’t look your age,” she ended in a whisper.

He pulled away from the wall and leaned closer to her. “What age do you think I look?”

Her cheeks reddened, but she didn’t draw back. “I’m a bad one to ask that question to. I know I’ll get it wrong.”

“Try anyway,” he encouraged. “I won’t be offended, I assure you.”

She crinkled her forehead. “I’d say early forties.”

He placed his hand on her knee, and thankfully, she didn’t try to pull back. “Halle, what would you say if I told you I was nine and twenty?”

See the book trailer - http://youtu.be/E1C_IKJqwC4

Snippet Sunday

It's Sunday again, and I'm posting another snippet of the story I'm working on. Last time I posted, I thought I was going to finish that other story first, but since then, I've decided I really need to focus on "Love Lost in Time" and nothing else. I MUST have this story finished next month!

I invite other authors to participate and in the comment section, leave a snippet of your story (with a link if it's published). Please only PG rating snippets.

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.

**snippet**

Gloucestershire, England 1848

A loud boom echoed from outside mere seconds before glass shattered in the room. Andrew jumped away from the large window, his heart hammering out of control as he stared at the large rock lying on the floor wrapped in a paper and tied with string.

Cursing, his father rushed to his wife and his daughter, Georgiana, shielding them with his body as he put himself between the women and the curious object. The women screamed and huddled against his father’s large frame.

“What is the meaning of this?” Marquis Harrington bellowed as his gaze swept the room, then moved to the window.

Andrew crept on careful feet to the rock, glass crunching under his Hessian boots. He pried away the string and opened the note.

 

Ignoring my threats is not permissible! Because you have refused to divulge where you are hiding the ancient jewels, you now must watch your family burn to death.

 “I demand to know who is doing this,” his father barked.

Because of the screams and sobs filling the room, Andrew hadn’t realized his father stood beside him, reading the note as well. From over his shoulder he glanced at the faces of his mother and sister, then to Edward who held Helen tightly, and finally rested on Helen’s parents, Lord and Lady Caldwell and their sons, fear etching their expressions. Confusion constricted in Andrew’s chest, as did the fear stirring from the threat.

“Father?” Andrew asked, meeting his father’s eyes. “Who could be doing this?”

Keeping his jaw hard, his father took in a deep breath before meeting Andrew’s gaze. “I have my suspicions, but I will not relent. Our ancestor’s jewels have been in the family for two hundred years and will remain with us for generations to come.”

“But Father, these people are serious. You must tell those who are threatening us so they will not cause harm!”

Heavy footsteps ran up the hallway as voices rose in alarm. Andrew rushed to the door and threw it open just as their servants clamored in.

“My lord,” Johnson, the butler said breathlessly. “There is a mob of people out front carrying torches and weapons.”

His father snapped his head toward his wife and Georgie. “Get upstairs. Now! And take Lady Caldwell and Lady Brimhall with you.”

Andrew’s mother nodded, clutching her daughter’s hand as they hurried out of the room, with the others following. No sooner had they left, a flaming arrow shot through the broken window, piercing the drapes and igniting the material.

Andrew cursed and grabbed a cloth off a small table, trying to put out the fire, but more arrows shot through the house. Outside shadows danced across the lawn as the mob marched closer. Dear Lord above, help us! It was a small army!

His father shouted instructions to the servants and other men in the room. Edward ran toward the adjoining room to the gun cabinet, his new father and brothers-in-law followed. Another arrow passed through the window, barely missing Andrew. His father’s painful grunt pulled Andrew’s attention to his sire...and to the arrow protruding from his chest.

“Father!” Andrew ran to him just as the older man fell to the floor.

Gasping for breath, he clutched Andrew’s hands. “Protect our family.”

“I will.” Tears burned Andrew’s eyes.

The angry voices of the mob grew closer. They’d be upon their home at any moment.

“They want...the hidden treasure.” His father gasped for air. “Do not let them find it.”

Emotion clogged Andrew’s throat. “But that is the only way to save the family.”

The marquis’ eyes slowly closed as he struggled to take another breath. “By the tree... Go by the tree...” Then his father’s body fell limp in Andrew’s arms.

Tears blurred his vision.

Screams from upstairs tugged at his conscience. Mother! Georgie! Although his father didn’t want to give up the family’s treasure, Andrew couldn’t allow his family to die because of it. His but clenched and he gritted his teeth. Regretfully, he would go against his father’s last wish.

He kissed his father’s forehead then gently laid him down before jumping to his feet. He lunged out the door, dodging the servants running through the halls wielding weapons. From behind him, a pistol fired. Andrew felt the air whoosh by his cheek. Too close. He prayed for strength and that he wouldn’t get shot.

The back stairs were the only way Andrew could think to run to get outside. His father’s last words played in his mind. Go by the tree. Although Andrew didn’t know what his father meant, he tried to remember if his father had a favorite tree outside. Perhaps his father was trying to tell him that’s where the treasure had been buried.

Check out the book trailer - http://youtu.be/E1C_IKJqwC4

HAPPY 50TH!

Today - July 26th - is my parents' wedding anniversary!  If my father had been alive, my parents would have been married for 50 years.  Amazing!  But my family will still celebrate this special event, and I'm sure my dad who is in heaven will be celebrating with us in his own little way.  My mom is celebrating that her family has been together for 50 years (even though none of her kids are that age yet), but that's when she and dad began their life as The Campbell Family.

For my blog today, I'm dedicating it to two wonderful parents who raised me to respect others, to work hard at everything I do, and to love the Lord. Thank you Mom & Dad!!

 

The last family pic taken before my father passed away.

Sunday Snippets

I have decided to try something new. Every Sunday I'm going to leave my readers will a little snippet from one of my upcoming stories. AND...I'm going to invite other authors to leave a little snippet from their stories, as well. (PG rating, please!!)

I really working on two different stories right now. One of them I've written before, and I'm just going through to clean it up before publishing it, so I'll probably finish this one before I will finish my time-travel, "Love Lost in Time". So here is a little unedited excerpt from my Victorian Romance, "Worth Fighting For" - the wonderful cover by Sheri McGathy.

BLURB:

Phoebe Alphius, daughter of the governor of Turkey, was told at the tender age of ten that she was the goddess Artemis, reincarnated. In her mind, just because she has the silver-blonde hair of the goddess, and she has the bold personality, hunts and fights better than any of her brothers, doesn’t mean she is Artemis. All of her life people have treated her differently, and she’s tired of it. She wants a normal life. She wants to find love. But just as Artemis, she’s going to die without ever having loved a man. There’s only once choice to make…she must leave Turkey and pretend she’s someone else. Now all she has to do is find a way out.

Captain Barry Winston just received word that his father is dying—which means Barry will become Duke of Lockhart. His trip to Turkey will be his last and he will give up the trading business for good. Sailing back to England, he realizes he has a stowaway. Her beauty is breathtaking, and she makes him laugh more than he’s done before. Yet she is just a servant, so he cannot possibly fall in love with her and take her as his wife. His heart has different plans because forgetting about her would be impossible. Has he finally found the woman worth fighting for?

 

*Snippet*

 

Turkey, 1870

Thieves came in many different forms.

        Captain Barrington Winston stepped to the side of the tent and folded his arms, his gaze zeroing in on the pretty little thief not far from him in the marketplace. In his line of work, he knew the lovely thieves were the most dangerous. The girl was slim, and dressed in the plain brown rags the ruffians wore in Selcuk. Her face held a look of innocence as she watched his shop.

        Chuckling to himself, he shook his head. Out of all the thieves he had run across in the five years he’d been in the trading business, not one of them could pull off the innocent act—but this one certainly appeared as if she was wet behind the ears and didn’t know what she was doing. Perhaps that is why she’d caught Barry’s attention so quickly.

        The evening’s dim light didn’t allow him to see the color of her eyes, but they were wide and curious as they darted from person to person standing at his tent. Her shiny white-blonde hair, almost silver in color, spilled over her shoulders. Strange, but she didn’t cover her hair as well as most of the women in this foreign land. Even her face wasn’t covered, and most of the women he’d seen covered the lower half of their faces with a veil.

She moved away from the steps of the Temple of Artemis and approached his tent—constructed as his shop during their stay in Selcuk. Her stare was fixed on his first mate, Jeffrey Smithers, as he explained to another buyer where they had purchased the Oriental vases and other rugs being sold.

Barry waited for the girl to make her move, anticipating the moment she’d try to be sneaky, yet she still acted as if she were more enthralled with his first mate’s tale than stealing anything.

The girl stepped closer. Not more than three feet away from her was a ten-inch golden statue of Pegasus. If she tried to steal that expensive artifact, he’d tackle her right here in front of everyone. Slowly, he moved away from the crates, nearing the girl just in case she slipped something of value beneath her long skirt.

A few more buyers gathered around Jeffrey, listening to his first mate’s extravagant storytelling. But the thief continued coming closer. Would she indeed steal it, or was it her purpose to knock the statue over and break it?

He wouldn’t let her carry on with this innocent act any longer. His costly statue was at stake. She was within reach, and he wouldn’t allow her to accomplish her goal.

Barry grasped her upper arm and pulled her away from the canvas tent that displayed his artifacts. She gasped and looked up at him. Her head veil slipped down to her neck, displaying her glorious mane of silver-blonde hair. Her eyes were wide, frightened. Up this close, she didn’t resemble a girl any longer, but a beautiful young woman in her prime.