Book Excerpt
CHAPTER
ONE
Jamestown,
Virginia, July 1740
Tsura
Harris lifted the hem of her green skirt and stepped up onto the wooden plank.
She clutched her reticule in her right hand and reached for the rope with her
left. The planked bridge swayed as the boat rocked against the seas. She stared
at the water below. White-capped waves crashed along the ship’s hull, rocking the
boat. She inhaled, forced her chin up, and took another step. She walked the
short distance to the boardwalk, releasing the breath she’d held when her boot
touched land. She planted both feet upon the wooden dock and set her shoulders,
but the reminder of why she was here intensified the weight upon her chest.
Despair was her shadow, and it was with her today.
“Sister!”
Her
brother’s deep, masculine shout came from above.
She
shaded her eyes from the hot afternoon sun and peered up at him. His stature
always shocked her. Micah Walker was six foot with broad shoulders and strong
arms, a spitting image of their father, Kade. His white shirt gaped open to
show the tanned skin beneath, a sign of too many days out on the water. Long
blond hair waved in the breeze. Her handsome brother had his pick of the
ladies, but still hadn’t settled down. It was a shame. She knew he wanted
children and a wife of his own, but his heart belonged to the sea and time
would lend him those favors only when he was ready.
“You
must wait,” he called and raced past his men carrying crates of goods onto the
wharf.
She
placed her bag onto the wooden walk and clasped her gloved hands together.
He
reached her, his cheeks glowing and dark eyes lit with mischief. Before she
could discourage him, he picked her up and swung her around. Her boots kicked
the bag, knocking it over, as his strong arms held her tight.
Micah
had always been affectionate. He never shied away from holding her hand,
kissing her cheek, or teasing her like a brother would. He’d come to her side
when she needed him the most. When her life had fallen apart, and she couldn’t
see past her own misery to pick herself up. He had carried her, and she loved
him for it.
“You
cannot go off without wishing me well.” He smiled down at her.
“If
you would simply release me, I’d be able to make it so,” she retorted. He was
the only one, aside from her mother and father, who she allowed to touch her.
“Very
well, nit.” He set her in front of him. The nickname he used for her was one of
endearment and came from her pestering him as a child.
“Thank
you.” She smoothed her skirt before bringing her eyes to meet his.
“You
do not need to do this.”
She
glanced away unable to stare at him any longer.
“Come
sail with me.”
She
shook her head. The urge to leave caused her legs to shake. She couldn’t be
around him any longer. His cheerful disposition haunted her and made her think
of things she’d rather forget.
“I
know you don’t want to speak of this, but—”
“No,
Micah.”
“Tsura,
you need to forgive—”
“Forgiveness
is not within my heart.”
“It
surely is.”
She
shook her head, careful not to release the many pins holding her thick corkscrew
curls in a loose chignon.
“It
is in all of us.”
She
glared at her brother.
“Do
not speak to me of forgiveness, brother. My heart is cold to it.”
His
dark eyes watered, and she knew her words had hurt him, but she didn’t care. It
was better this way—it was easier.
“Will
you not reconsider?”
“No.”
“Please
stay. I will protect you.”
Protection
was not what she needed. She could care less if she died. It’d be a relief from
the constant pain she felt each day.
“I
should’ve taken you to mother and father.”
“Do
not speak to them of my presence here.”
“They
will understand.”
“Not
one word.”
Micah
sighed. “As you wish.”
“I
must go.” Anger pressed on her spine, and she straightened.
His
shoulders dropped.
“Be
safe. Trust no one.”
She
nodded.
About the Books
Branded Trilogy
Author: Kat Flannery
Genre: Historical / Western / Paranormal Romance
Sizzling ROMANCE, the WILD WEST, and a dash of PARANORMAL make the BRANDED TRILOGY bundle a heart-pounding and satisfying read…
LAKOTA HONOR
Fate has brought them together, but will a promise tear them apart?
In the small town of Willow Creek,
Colorado, Nora Rushton spends most of her days locked up in her home
with a father who resents her and fighting off unwanted marriage
proposals from the wealthy Elwood Calhoun. Marked as a witch, Nora must
hide her healing powers from those who wish to destroy all the
witkowin—crazy women. What she doesn’t know is that a bounty hunter is
hot on her trail.
Lakota native Otakatay has an obligation
to fulfill. He has been hired to kill the witkowin. In a time when race
and difference are a threat and innocence holds no ground, courage,
love and honor will bring Nora and Otakatay together as they fight for
their freedom. Will the desire to fulfill his promise drive Otakatay to
kill Nora? Or will the kindness he sees in her blue eyes push him to be
the man he once was?
BLOOD CURSE
Four
years after the Blood Curse, Pril of the Peddlers vows to protect her
child against the evil men who hunt her. With her clan unaware of the
branded girl among them, Pril has to keep the identity of her daughter a
secret. When her child is kidnapped, she is forced to ask Merchant
runner, Kade Walker, for his help.
Kade Walker needs to find the gypsy
child. Blackmailed and pushed beyond his own moral code, he is
determined to do whatever it takes. When he comes across the Peddler
clan, he is sure the girl is there, however all hope is lost when the
gypsies capture him. Time is running out—until Pril makes him an offer
he cannot refuse.
Amidst greed, lust, revenge and love,
Pril will need to trust Kade. But as the evil nears and doubt creeps in,
will she discover that the enemy has been standing next to her all
along?
SACRED LEGACY
Tsura is a Chuvani, and with that comes great power…
Desperate to escape the memories that
haunt her, Tsura Harris returns to Jamestown, the very place her mother
forbade her to go. A gifted Chuvani, Tsura has sworn off all magick,
thus making her vulnerable to the Renoldi clan, who wish to kill her and
take the pendant that is the key to her power.
Red Wolf is hell-bent on living his life
on the sea, until he runs into Tsura on the docks. His pride wounded
from her rejection years before, he hoped to never see her again. But
when the evil Corsair, Romulus Black, demands to know where she is, Red
Wolf must protect her, as is his duty.
But is duty and honor his only reason,
or does Red Wolf still carry a flame of love in his heart? And will
Tsura finally discover her destiny?
Author Bio
Kat Flannery’s love of history shows in
her novels. She is an avid reader of historical, suspense, paranormal,
and romance. She has her Certificate in Freelance and Business Writing.
A member of many writing groups, Kat
enjoys promoting other authors on her blog. Kat loves to teach writing
classes and give back to other aspiring authors. She volunteers her time
at the local library facilitating their writing group. She’s been
published in numerous periodicals throughout her career
Her debut novel CHASING CLOVERS has been an Amazon Top 100 Paid bestseller twice. LAKOTA HONOR, BLOOD CURSE, and SACRED LEGACY (Branded Trilogy) are Kat’s three award-winning novels and HAZARDOUS UNIONS is Kat’s first novella. Kat is currently hard at work on her next series, THE MONTGOMERY SISTERS.
Visit Kat at: www.katflannerybooks.com
Find her on Facebook: Kat Flannery, author
Follow her on Twitter: @KatFlannery1
Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
0 reacties:
Een reactie posten