Sunday, May 12, 2013

Let Devlin Ride Into Your Heart via your e-reader! If you like motorcycles, if you appreciate veterans, if you struggle with PTSD, this is the hero for you! Let Devlin ride into your life and heart. Devlin roars into Gracie’s life on a motorcycle in Devlin’s Grace from Rebel Ink Press as the first chapter begins. She’s scared but she’s intrigued too. Readers get their first taste of Devlin in a brief prologue so they’re aware he served in Iraq. And it’s evident the attraction is mutual. Devlin is far from the ideal date. He’s more than a little rough around the edges and he struggles with many things including PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). He rides on the wild side of life and by his own admission he’s more than a little wicked. After all, his nickname is ‘Devil’. Since Gracie’s a good girl and a college student, you might expect her to turn tail and run but she doesn’t. Instead, she responds to him with an openness he hasn’t experienced until now. Devlin is more than a little prickly but Gracie, despite her natural shyness, can be pushy. And she dares to move closer when everyone else tends to back away from the former Marine. Devlin is a flawed hero. He’s human but he’s not without redeeming qualities. And Gracie looks beyond the mask, probes deeper behind the façade. The more she knows him, the deeper her feelings become. Their love story possesses some poignant moments and I think it’s because he’s not perfect but they work together in spite of their issues. When I decided to get serious about writing fiction I didn’t set out to write romance, just tell stories. It wasn’t until after I’d finished the third one I realized I was writing romance and it worked for me. I strive to write about everyday people who are often in extraordinary circumstances, real people with quirks and flaws and troubles. From Devlin’s Grace, here’s an excerpt: “I don’t sleep much, anyway.” His hesitant manner hinted maybe he didn’t usually volunteer such personal information any more than she invited men up to drink coffee or rode motorcycles. Her hand trembled the tiniest bit as Gracie put her cup up to her lips. Dev made her nervous, but he evoked a growing sense of tenderness, too. And his presence leached out a lot of her usual bashful reserve. Deep weariness shadowed his eyes and haunted his face, she noted, so she asked, “Why don’t you?” This time, his mug shook between his hands. After a heavy moment of silence, he sighed. “You can’t expect the devil to have sweet dreams, darlin’. Thanks for the coffee. I’ve got to go – morning comes early and I have to work.” When he held out the cup, Gracie noticed the scarring on the underside of his left arm. Dead white skin mottled with angry red patches and rough ridges indicated he’d suffered serious burns. She noticed similar scars on the side of his neck and wondered how much of his body had been affected. Everything she’d learned screamed at her to say nothing, to ignore what she saw, but Gracie followed instinct. After accepting the cup, she put it down on the end table and touched the old burn. Her fingers brushed against the coarse skin and marveled to find it cool. She expected heat, but it would’ve gone long ago. Dev started to jerk away from her, but when she touched him, he stopped. Like a bird poised for flight, he remained still as she stroked the damaged area. Before she could speak, he pulled his arm back and with a defiant glint in his eyes, he removed his t-shirt. “If you want to see the scars, you can see them all,” Dev said, voice harsh and hoarse. He revealed a torso dappled with terrible raised welts, both back and belly. These scars were worse than the others. Raised red ropes twined like vines over his flesh, fused and almost melted. The agony Dev endured was beyond anything she could imagine and Gracie’s eyes brimmed with tears. They spilled over, down her cheeks with silent hurt. One glance at his face, set hard and as stoic as a statue intensified her empathy. She laid her right hand on his back, his scarred flesh beneath her touch and with her left she touched the center of his chest. Beneath her hand his heartbeat thumped, rapid but steady. His eyes locked with hers and in them Gracie glimpsed flickers of his personal hell. Confusion showed up, too, along with regret and maybe shame. Whatever she did or said now would be pivotal, she sensed. Based on her actions he’d either leave and be gone from her forever, something she didn’t want, or a new beginning would emerge, delicate and fragile. If she took time to think, she’d be lost so Gracie mined deep into her woman’s soul. When words came, she spoke them, her voice soft and yet as constant as the evening stars. “Oh, Dev, it must’ve hurt so much.” “I don’t want your pity,” he said, a snarl transforming his face into something wolfish, alien. “Don’t feel sorry for me, babe. I don’t need charity and I sure as hell don’t need you to tell me some dumb ass feel good bunch of shit. So quit crying over me. Maybe it makes you feel better, but it makes me mad.” “It isn’t pity,” Gracie told him. “I admire you. It takes a lot of courage to overcome hurts like this. I hurt for you, but I don’t feel sorry for you. I hate you had to go through such pain, but I’m crying because I care.” His hard face softened a little. “Why?” In this raw moment, she could give him nothing but honesty. “I don’t know, but I do.” https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-devlin039sgrace-1004238-148.html http://www.amazon.com/Devlins-Grace-ebook/dp/B00A8J1D1I/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1353110924&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=devlin%27s+grace+lee+ann+sontheimer+murphy http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/devlins-grace-lee-ann-sontheimer-murphy/1113805013?ean=2940015838688 http://www.bookstrand.com/devlins-grace MY LINKS Twitter: leeannwriter From Sweet to Heat: The Romance of Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphyhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/From-Sweet-To-Heat-The-Romance-of-Lee-Ann-Sontheimer-Murphy/287540748010934?ref=hl My Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/leeann.sontheimermurphy Website/blog: http://leeannsontheimermurphywriterauthor.blogpspot.com Blog: Rebel Writer: Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy http://leeannsontheimermurphy.blogspot.com Author In The House blog: http://authorinthehouse.blogspot.com Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Ann-Sontheimer-Murphy/e/B004JPBM6I http://www.linkedin.com/pub/lee-ann-sontheimer-murphy/22/3a4/a75 Excerpt Two: He greeted her with a quiet smile, naked as Adam in the Garden of Eden. His lean, scarred body immediately aroused her, all the more because Gracie knew from his expression he’d sloughed away some of his inner darkness for now. Devlin glanced around the bedroom and grinned. In place of the candles she’d wanted Gracie draped the single bedside lamp with a thin kitchen towel to soften the illumination. The muted light set a similar mood and she’d found a Mannheim Steamroller CD among Dev’s collection so delightful music created some background ambiance. Her earlier desire stirred and with a racy little witch walk, hips swaying, Gracie walked over to him. Without a word, she touched his chest then dropped her hands lower to cup his manhood between her palms. His cock came to life with speed and Devlin kissed her, without artifice and with nothing between them but basic want and sheer need. His mouth cherished hers, nurtured and nuzzled Gracie’s lips. Tingles danced along her spine and legs. Devlin’s kisses sent electricity through her nipples and turned her pussy moist. He held her and his hands strayed over her flesh, removing her garments with deft skill. His kisses continued and he moved downward to kiss her breasts until she shivered. Gracie’s fingers fondled Dev’s nipples and when they turned hard beneath her touch, she put her mouth over one to suckle. His moan of pleasure fired her further and for the first time she dropped to her knees. Gracie took his dick into her mouth and sucked, evoking a new sensation for her, more than a little strange yet she liked it. When it stiffened, she used her lips to caress and Devlin cried out with wordless delight. “Oh, Jesus, babe,” he said, “That’s good, real good. Don’t quit now.” Unable to answer, Gracie used her tongue and Devlin quivered. She continued until she thought he’d explode in her mouth and withdrew. Dev jerked her to her feet then backed her to the bed. In their haste for fulfillment neither turned down the covers and as soon as she found herself on her back, Gracie opened her legs wide. Devlin dived between them, his cock proud and ready. He entered her hard, swift and sure. On impact, her walls tightened around him to squeeze as he moved within, each thrust bringing a new wave of pure pleasure. Gracie’s body hummed with gladness as the erotic buzz of good sex claimed her. Their connection rocked them both and they spiraled upward toward satisfaction, each level increasing the intensity of the sensual spasms. Gracie strained against Devlin, clinging and almost crying for release. His guttural noises of bliss brought her home and they came in a wild, spinning rush of ecstasy. During the final burst of orgasm Gracie cried out too and their voices joined in joyful noise, united in body, connected with soul. http://youtu.be/4UjJBYY6hz4 https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-devlin039sgrace-1004238-148.html http://www.amazon.com/Devlins-Grace-ebook/dp/B00A8J1D1I/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1353110924&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=devlin%27s+grace+lee+ann+sontheimer+murphy http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/devlins-grace-lee-ann-sontheimer-murphy/1113805013?ean=2940015838688 http://www.bookstrand.com/devlins-grace




            Let Devlin ride into your life and heart.

            Devlin roars into Gracie’s life on a motorcycle in Devlin’s Grace from Rebel Ink Press as the first chapter begins. She’s scared but she’s intrigued too.  Readers get their first taste of Devlin in a brief prologue so they’re aware he served in Iraq.   And it’s evident the attraction is mutual. Devlin is far from the ideal date.  He’s more than a little rough around the edges and he struggles with many things including PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).  He rides on the wild side of life and by his own admission he’s more than a little wicked.  After all, his nickname is ‘Devil’.  Since Gracie’s a good girl and a college student, you might expect her to turn tail and run but she doesn’t.  Instead, she responds to him with an openness he hasn’t experienced until now.  Devlin is more than a little prickly but Gracie, despite her natural shyness, can be pushy.  And she dares to move closer when everyone else tends to back away from the former Marine.
            Devlin is a flawed hero. He’s human but he’s not without redeeming qualities. And Gracie looks beyond the mask, probes deeper behind the façade.  The more she knows him, the deeper her feelings become.  Their love story possesses some poignant moments and I think it’s because he’s not perfect but they work together in spite of their issues.
When I decided to get serious about writing fiction I didn’t set out to write romance, just tell stories.  It wasn’t until after I’d finished the third one I realized I was writing romance and it worked for me. I strive to write about everyday people who are often in extraordinary circumstances, real people with quirks and flaws and troubles.
            From Devlin’s Grace, here’s an excerpt:


            “I don’t sleep much, anyway.”
            His hesitant manner hinted maybe he didn’t usually volunteer such personal information any more than she invited men up to drink coffee or rode motorcycles.   Her hand trembled the tiniest bit as Gracie put her cup up to her lips.  Dev made her nervous, but he evoked a growing sense of tenderness, too.  And his presence leached out a lot of her usual bashful reserve.  Deep weariness shadowed his eyes and haunted his face, she noted, so she asked, “Why don’t you?”
            This time, his mug shook between his hands.  After a heavy moment of silence, he sighed. “You can’t expect the devil to have sweet dreams, darlin’.  Thanks for the coffee.  I’ve got to go – morning comes early and I have to work.”
            When he held out the cup, Gracie noticed the scarring on the underside of his left arm.  Dead white skin mottled with angry red patches and rough ridges indicated he’d suffered serious burns.  She noticed similar scars on the side of his neck and wondered how much of his body had been affected.  Everything she’d learned screamed at her to say nothing, to ignore what she saw, but Gracie followed instinct.  After accepting the cup, she put it down on the end table and touched the old burn.  Her fingers brushed against the coarse skin and marveled to find it cool.  She expected heat, but it would’ve gone long ago.  Dev started to jerk away from her, but when she touched him, he stopped.  Like a bird poised for flight, he remained still as she stroked the damaged area.
            Before she could speak, he pulled his arm back and with a defiant glint in his eyes, he removed his t-shirt. “If you want to see the scars, you can see them all,” Dev said, voice harsh and hoarse. 
He revealed a torso dappled with terrible raised welts, both back and belly.  These scars were worse than the others.  Raised red ropes twined like vines over his flesh, fused and almost melted.  The agony Dev endured was beyond anything she could imagine and Gracie’s eyes brimmed with tears.  They spilled over, down her cheeks with silent hurt.  One glance at his face, set hard and as stoic as a statue intensified her empathy.  She laid her right hand on his back, his scarred flesh beneath her touch and with her left she touched the center of his chest.
Beneath her hand his heartbeat thumped, rapid but steady.  His eyes locked with hers and in them Gracie glimpsed flickers of his personal hell.   Confusion showed up, too, along with regret and maybe shame.
            Whatever she did or said now would be pivotal, she sensed.  Based on her actions he’d either leave and be gone from her forever, something she didn’t want, or a new beginning would emerge, delicate and fragile.  If she took time to think, she’d be lost so Gracie mined deep into her woman’s soul.  When words came, she spoke them, her voice soft and yet as constant as the evening stars.  “Oh, Dev, it must’ve hurt so much.”
            “I don’t want your pity,” he said, a snarl transforming his face into something wolfish, alien.  “Don’t feel sorry for me, babe.  I don’t need charity and I sure as hell don’t need you to tell me some dumb ass feel good bunch of shit.  So quit crying over me.  Maybe it makes you feel better, but it makes me mad.”
            “It isn’t pity,” Gracie told him. “I admire you.  It takes a lot of courage to overcome hurts like this.  I hurt for you, but I don’t feel sorry for you.  I hate you had to go through such pain, but I’m crying because I care.”
             His hard face softened a little. “Why?”
            In this raw moment, she could give him nothing but honesty. “I don’t know, but I do.”


MY LINKS
Twitter: leeannwriter
From Sweet to Heat: The Romance of Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphyhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/From-Sweet-To-Heat-The-Romance-of-Lee-Ann-Sontheimer-Murphy/287540748010934?ref=hl
Blog: Rebel Writer: Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy
Author In The House blog:
Excerpt Two:


  He greeted her with a quiet smile, naked as Adam in the Garden of Eden.  His lean, scarred body immediately aroused her, all the more because Gracie knew from his expression he’d sloughed away some of his inner darkness for now. 
            Devlin glanced around the bedroom and grinned.  In place of the candles she’d wanted Gracie draped the single bedside lamp with a thin kitchen towel to soften the illumination.  The muted light set a similar mood and she’d found a Mannheim Steamroller CD among Dev’s collection so delightful music created some background ambiance.  Her earlier desire stirred and with a racy little witch walk, hips swaying, Gracie walked over to him.  Without a word, she touched his chest then dropped her hands lower to cup his manhood between her palms.  His cock came to life with speed and Devlin kissed her, without artifice and with nothing between them but basic want and sheer need.
            His mouth cherished hers, nurtured and nuzzled Gracie’s lips.   Tingles danced along her spine and legs.  Devlin’s kisses sent electricity through her nipples and turned her pussy moist.
He held her and his hands strayed over her flesh, removing her garments with deft skill.  His kisses continued and he moved downward to kiss her breasts until she shivered.  Gracie’s fingers fondled Dev’s nipples and when they turned hard beneath her touch, she put her mouth over one to suckle.  His moan of pleasure fired her further and for the first time she dropped to her knees.
            Gracie took his dick into her mouth and sucked, evoking a new sensation for her, more than a little strange yet she liked it.  When it stiffened, she used her lips to caress and Devlin cried out with wordless delight. “Oh, Jesus, babe,” he said, “That’s good, real good.  Don’t quit now.”
            Unable to answer, Gracie used her tongue and Devlin quivered.  She continued until she thought he’d explode in her mouth and withdrew.  Dev jerked her to her feet then backed her to the bed.  In their haste for fulfillment neither turned down the covers and as soon as she found herself on her back, Gracie opened her legs wide.  Devlin dived between them, his cock proud and ready.  He entered her hard, swift and sure.  On impact, her walls tightened around him to squeeze as he moved within, each thrust bringing a new wave of pure pleasure.  Gracie’s body hummed with gladness as the erotic buzz of good sex claimed her.
            Their connection rocked them both and they spiraled upward toward satisfaction, each level increasing the intensity of the sensual spasms.  Gracie strained against Devlin, clinging and almost crying for release.  His guttural noises of bliss brought her home and they came in a wild, spinning rush of ecstasy.  During the final burst of orgasm Gracie cried out too and their voices joined in joyful noise, united in body, connected with soul.





Monday, April 29, 2013

Reviews: When Readers Interact With Authors

Reviews can be delightful and encouraging.  Sometimes they can leave an author wondering if the reviewer read the same book we wrote.   Some readers use reviews to decide whether or not they want to read a novel or not.  I thought I'd share a few of my more recent reviews with the blog readers and let you decide if you agree, if you want more, or not.







Urban Renewal review from Amazon.com
Reader review from Amazon.com – reviews like this make my day!
This book is for anyone who has experienced that intense first love and still holds a small piece of it in their heart. As I was reading the reunion between Marie and Joe, I wondered if someone who hadn't experienced this would grasp that even though many years had passed, it would be as if it never had when they were once again reunited. The author captures this well. She also knows what is important in the story. She only touches briefly on Marie as Mercedes, which is all we need to know. This story is about "going home" and finding yourself again. Learning what is truly important in life. I absolutely loved her description of Marie walking into Ma's house and taking in all the nostalgia. I'm apparently around the same age as Marie, because I remembered all of this from when I was young. It was a fun trip down memory lane. This was a heartwarming love story, and I will definitely read more by this author.



 Review Companies

MR Review
Rating:
Reviewer: Alberta
Review: Katie is a young widow with no money and no place to go except a widows’ and orphans’ home run by the service organization her husband belonged to. She is forced to be a domestic drudge, living without cheer or any life to look forward to at this home.
She meets the young schoolmaster, Everett, and begins a friendship with him, which turns to love. I always enjoy Murphy’s characters, and I liked these two as well. I did wish there were a bit more conflict or hero’s journeys here, but The Widow’s End is just a very sweet love story that leaves you feeling good.


Romance, laughter, tears, suspense March 6, 2013
Review: This book grabbed my interest from the beginning and never waned. There was romance, laughter, tears, love, family memories plus mystery, conflict, a kidnapping, shootings and deaths. The book was set in Arkansas with references to California where Katy was running from. That Katy could hook up with her druggie husband and stay married to him for as long as she did seemed out of character once you got to “know” her. For Katy to meet Ben only when he picked her up from the bus station to take her to her aunt’s house and ultimately fall in love seemed a little farfetched only because of where they both were in their lives. Ben was a loner who had lost his wife 10 years before and basically didn’t interact with many people. Katy was running away from the drug lord and his posse that killed both her dog and her no good husband. She knew she would be next since she couldn’t pay his debts. Little by little Katy and Ben came to trust each other, fell in love and each became the only thing that mattered to the other. Ben’s goal was to keep Katy safe no matter what whereas Katy wanted to stay hidden and out of the radar as long as possible. Their friendship led to love and it was sweet to watch their feelings grow. There was a happily ever after and all the loose ends were tied up by the end of the book. I haven’t read books by Sontheimer Murphy before but you can be sure I will give her other books a try.

Favorite Quote: …”If I send him home, you have to understand that you’ll need to be with him constantly for several days. This boy is very sick; he cannot be left while you go home or to work or to shop. Can you afford to miss work to take care of Ben?”
“Yes, I am a writer. I write novels to make a living.”
Dr. Anderson looked up from the prescriptions he scribbled, mouth open with surprise. “You do? By God, you do. My wife reads your books and I remember your picture.”
His recognition rattled for a moment. If he knew who she was, anyone could. She pushed the thought away, though, because right now Ben’s health took priority.

Reviewed by: JoAnn
Book provided by: Author
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
 
 

1 of 1 people found the following helpful
good story October 18, 2012
Dust Bowl Dreams

Henry Mink feels like the weight of the world is on his shoulders. Between the drought and the depression his family is barely hanging on. And now the bank is calling in the note on the farm. He needs to do something to get money and fast. But there are no jobs to be found. So Henry decides to rob a bank. His sweetheart school teacher, Mamie, doesn't approve and neither does his kid brother, Eddie. But Henry feels that he is out of options. Everything goes as planned and Henry's bank robbery is a success. He and Mamie get engaged and start planning a future together. He is able to pay off the loan on the house but other troubles seem to pop up every day and the money is running out quickly. The only thing to do is for him to rob another bank. His desperate attempt will either secure his families future or destroy it forever. Now all Henry needs is a miracle

Review: This book was a bit of a surprise for me, as I usually don't like books based in this era. But the author was able to pull me into this story and I found myself really enjoying it. The story is a good one that had me caring about what happened with this family and Henry's relationship with Mamie. There is a good amount of descriptive writing in here and I am usually not one for that but it wasn't annoying as it can sometimes be, since it was more about how Henry was seeing things than it was about just describing the areas that he visited. So I feel like it was important to the story. All in all this was a good read that made me feel uplifted in the strength of love.

Complimentary book given for a free review. Come see this review and more on juiesbookreview.blogspot.com
 
 
Wonderful Writing April 9, 2013
Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy writes well. Her voice in "The Widow's End" is so authentic it seems as though Katie Lafferty could have written the story herself. The verbs that move the story and the details chosen to bring the scenes to life are period perfect.

"The Widow's End" is a sweet story suitable for a romance reader of any age. I enjoyed getting to know Katie and her Latin teaching knight, but when the book came to an end I didn't experience that bittersweet pang one feels when closing the cover on a great book. That is why I only gave "The Widow's End" three stars.
 
 
jaz reviewed Devlin's Grace
1 of 1 people found the following helpful
A hero with a little bite and a caring heroine December 14, 2012
I was in the mood for a hero who had been in the military, but what drew me into this story was his creation of a dream woman that he imagined was always there for him. I had to get this book after reading that.

Gracie meets Devlin in a college class shortly after seeing him ride in on his motorcycle, complete with devil horns on his helmet. He's a bit intense and intimidating, yet at the same time she's drawn to him. The story plays out from Gracie's point of view, which is pretty good in having the reader learn about Devlin as she does.

Devlin is neither prince charming nor an anti-hero. He's serious, suffers PTSD which plays a prominent role in their story, and has other issues that have shaped his life. Gracie learns how to deal with certain situations that affect Devlin from his experiences in the military. With him she also gets to live a little outside her routine of work and school. Meanwhile Devlin learns what it's like to have someone really care about him, issues and all.

What I appreciated most about this story is the couple's relationship develops while doing everyday things - going out somewhere, getting a bite to eat, etc. The author kept it interesting with situations they had to work through. It's a pleasant break from a hero and heroine under constant danger with guns blazing, adrenaline pumping, and attitudes flying everywhere. Furthermore, there's no big misunderstanding or constant bickering and at the same time it wasn't on the opposite scale where everything's perfect.

Gracie and Devlin did come together a bit quickly and at times Gracie's thoughts leaned towards poetic in description, but neither disrupted the story. With regards to sensuality there are love scenes, but this story definitely has its best emphasis on the relationship outside the bedroom.

Overall, Devlin's Grace is a good read with a hero that has a strong presence and a heroine that complements him in more ways than he ever expected.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

What's a sin eater do anyway? Find out in "The Sin Eater's Redemption"!


Maybe, like me, you first heard about sin eaters from grandparents or other family elders with some Welsh heritage.  Perhaps you read about the tradition because you’re into folklore and old customs, again like me.  Or you might’ve seen the 1972 episode of Rod Serling’s program, Night Gallery, where Richard Thomas (who later played John Boy Walton and who has some Welsh ancestry) played a sin eater.  There’s also a newer movie out in the past few years although I’ll admit – I haven’t seen it. 

To quote a little Shakespeare, there are more things in heaven and earth than dreamt of so I keep an open mind.  My son, age twelve, watches a lot of programs about Bigfoot.  Is it real? I don’t know but I’ll concede it’s possible.  I do believe in ghosts because I’ve had too many personal experiences not to do so.  Before experts determined a particular variety of woodpecker thought extinct was alive and well in the wilds of Arkansas, I’d seen them in my own woods.  I once saw an egg tree, not the decorative kind but the kind designed to prevent witches in the Ozarks.  I like to believe some things can and do survive into the 21st century – like a sin eater.

Such possibilities intrigue me.  I’ve long been fascinated with the ancient custom found in parts of the British Isles, especially Wales, of the sin eater.  Although the last known sin eater was supposed to have died back in the 19th century, who knows about the ones who continued the practice? Since a number of old folkways survive in the Ozarks – after all, I once saw a genuine witch tree, the kind meant to keep witches away – I decided a sin eater might exist today, especially if the custom had been handed down over the generations.  And the story built from there….

Death brings singer Tessa Owens home from Nashville to her native Ozarks.  But she’s not planning to stay.  Tessa turned her back on the old ways of life for the modern world long ago. She didn’t expect to meet her first love, Lucas Rowlands, at the visitation.   Seven years wasn’t long enough to forget him and sparks ignite when they meet again. Even worse, Tessa learns Lucas isn’t the simple country farmer she left behind but the sin eater, an ancient position handed down to him from his grandfather. As she struggles to understand Lucas’ life and role as a sin eater Tessa admits she loves him and there’s no doubt what he feels for her.  The devil wants Lucas’ sin-heavy soul and if they don’t come up with something, Lucas is hell bound on an express ticket.  If there’s any chance at a future, it’s up to Tessa.

Buy and other links:

 


 



Book trailer:


News release:


 

Here’s not one but two excerpts to tempt your fancy:

They ended up out in the antique porch swing, side by side.  As dusk gathered shadows into darkness, Lucas put his arm around her shoulders so she scooted closer.  The sweet, rich smell of honeysuckle floated on the wind.  Far off in the distance Tessa heard the whine of tires as they sped over pavement and down the road somewhere coon hounds barked.  Tiny brilliant lightning bugs flickered across the pasture and she marveled at their quiet beauty.  She hadn’t seen a single firefly since she left home but her nights were spent beneath city lights.  Peace settled around her like a shawl and she sighed with contentment.

“It’s so beautiful here. Quiet and so tranquil.”

“I like it,” Lucas said. “Always have, always will.”

They rocked and the gentle sway soothed something in Tessa’s soul  Silence stretched between them, comfortable as well worn shoes.  He smiled and turned to her, “I don’t remember any place else but here, you know.”

His early life history was still almost as familiar as hers.  Tessa nodded. “I do.”

“I’ve been a few places but I can’t imagine living away like you have. Was it hard to adjust?”

Was it? Tessa struggled to remember her first days in Nashville.  By the time she left Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge to come back to bury Uncle Cal, she’d adapted, learned to thrive and survive.  But it wasn’t always so. After a long pause to collect her thoughts, Tessa answered. “Oh, yeah, it was.  Everything was so different when I got to Nashville.  The traffic, the way the city goes on for miles and miles, the tall buildings, all of it felt so strange,” she told him. “At first I stayed with Karla, my cousin, in her apartment but it wasn’t very far from a large medical center and it wasn’t in the best part of town, either. Sirens ran all the time, ambulances, fire trucks, police cars.  I got homesick and almost came home.” Tessa stopped and then added, “And I missed you.”

“Why didn’t you come back?”

She offered him a small smile but it hurt to remember. “I planned on it and even packed my suitcases.  Then I got my first gig, so I thought I was on my way to the big time. I decided to stay a little longer to see what happened.”

Above the tree line the night sky stretched out, dark as black velvet. More stars than she could count brightened it like tiny diamonds.  The big-bellied moon rose, not quite waxed full and coated everything in soft silver.  Tessa found it magical and said so.

Lucas left the swing to offer her his hand and she took it.  “Come dance with me,” he said, the last thing she expected to hear from his lips. “It’s something I’ve dreamed about a thousand times.”

Enchanted, Tessa took his hand and he led her out into the yard.  They slow danced together in the moonlight.  At first there was no music but the crickets and the other night insects but Lucas began singing an old Jim Croce song from long before their time. She remembered the name of it, Time In A Bottle.  They’d heard it on an oldies radio station in their teens and both liked the poignant tune.  Lucas bought a Croce CD the next day and for a long time, Tessa recalled, it’d been their song.  Maybe it still was, she thought, with hope.

If I could save time in a bottle,” Lucas crooned, his voice true on the notes, “that I’d like to do is to save every day until eternity passes away just to spend them with you.”

How could he sing the words, she wondered, and yet insist their time together had to be  fleeting.  Short term wouldn’t work and she knew it.  For them, it had to be all or nothing, everything or heartbreak.  Tessa said nothing, unwilling to break the spell Lucas wove. When he finished the song, he looked into her face.

“Now come love me. It’s the rest of the dream.”

Moved beyond words, Tessa nodded. Inside the house, he made love to her, unhurried and slow. He cherished her.  His sweet tenderness spoke more than words ever could and when she fell asleep, afterward in his arms, moonlight shone through the window and over the bed with benediction.

 

 

 

Here’s a sneak peek from the story. I always have a hard time deciding what excerpts to share but this one, the moment of truth when Tessa learns Lucas is the sin eater, seemed perfect.

“Hello, Lucas.” Her voice came out hushed, like school kids whispering in a library. “It’s been a long time.”

Lucas Rowlands grinned with a naughty smile she remembered very well.  He looked the same, overlong brown hair lit with blonde highlights, dark blue eyes and a lean build. “I hear you’ve been living up to Nashville all this time,” he said.

“I have,” Tessa replied. “I live there now.”

His eyes locked on her face and she couldn’t look away, mesmerized by his steady gaze.

“Guess you ain’t famous just yet.”

Face to face, toe to toe, she remembered more than she wanted. His presence, his physical proximity exuded power, so much so the fine hairs on her arms came to attention. “No,” she said, her voice husky. “I’m not.  What are you doing these days, Lucas?”

“I do as little as possible,” he said with a sassy grin.  “I raise cattle and more than a little hell at my granddad’s old place.  I live in the old house and mostly do what I want.”

That sounded like Lucas, she thought. “Are you married?”

 “Nope and I don’t plan to get that way.  What about you, darlin’? Do you have a husband and kiddies in a little house over there on the Cumberland River?”

He stood close, heat radiating from his skin as it moved over her in waves.  Tessa grew too hot, overheating so much she thought she might faint. His questions irked her, though she couldn’t say why.

“No,” Tessa said. If she didn’t get some fresh air now, she would pass out.  She stepped forward, prepared to head for the back door. Luke took her hand instead and kept her in place.

“Where are you going? We haven’t had time to catch up or talk about old times.”

His voice affected her like cheap strawberry wine with a giddy rush powerful enough to tilt her off balance.

“I need some air,” she whispered. “I’ve got to go outside.”

 Lucas put his arm around her. “Let’s go then.”

 He pressed through the crowd with a fake grin plastered on his face, exchanging a few nods and howdys. She allowed him to take her through her aunt’s kitchen, aware the women putting out food stared as they passed.  In the backyard, Tessa staggered over to a plastic lawn chair and sat.  Cool breezes flowed down the hills behind and she inhaled deeply. After a few minutes, she sighed.

“Better?” Lucas sprawled in a chair across from hers and watched with a frown she might’ve once believed came out of concern.

“Yes, thanks.”

“What the hell happened in there? You didn’t use to be such a wimp.”

“No.”  Funny she could sing on any stage, hobnob with some of the remaining greats of country music, talk with today’s chart toppers, handle the meanest drunk in any bar and attend any event and never lose her cool.  But come back to the hills and she lost it in her aunt’s house, among her own folks, thanks to Lucas Rowlands.  “I’m okay now, though.”

He offered a hand so she could rise and Tessa accepted it.   Before she had time to think, Lucas drew her into his arms like a spider catching a fly and put his mouth down over hers.   She struggled, protested until his heat fired her and ignited all her old passions. Tessa kissed him back with the same unholy fire.  Sweet little charges of electricity ran over her sensitive skin and when his tongue entered her mouth, she would’ve squealed aloud except she couldn’t, there wasn’t space to make a sound.

Pleasure from his mouth expanded lower and spread heat through her in waves.  A dim sense Tessa should protest, should push him away hovered at the edge of her consciousness but everything felt too damn good to stop.  His lips evoked the past, stolen kisses and heady delights she recalled much too well.   If someone, she never could be sure who it was, had not thrust their head out of the back door and called, “Lucas, it’s time.”

Tessa might’ve let him do more than kiss her there, in the backyard, with her kinfolk and most of the rural community steps away.   The reality check jarred her back to consciousness as he released her.

“I’ll see you later,” he said with a playful swat at her rear as he vanished into the house.

Tessa watched him go, divided between longing for more kisses and anger that she’d let her guard down so easily.  Lucas was the last person she expected to see and before she could ponder why he’d come to Uncle Cal’s private family visitation, the back door swung open.

“There you are! You need to come in now, we’re about to get started.”

“Start what, Aunt Vernie?”

Her aunt ducked her head. “I had the sin eater come.  You know what a wicked man Calvin could be, how mean he was. I just hated to think he might spend all eternity in hell so I decided to do it the way folks did back a few years.  Truth is they do it more now than you’d think now that we got us a sin eater again.”

“You’re joking,” Tess said. This sounded insane.  Clearly she’d left the real world behind in Tennessee and ended up here on the set of The Twilight Zone.

 Aunt Verna folded her arms across her chest like fresh laundry. “I’m not, Tessa.  You’ve been away too long. That’s why I had them bring Cal back out here from the funeral home.  Today’s for the sin eater, the family, and close friends.  It’s visitation, too, but this is the most important.”

 

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