My Sweet
Saturday Sample is a morsel from my latest release, an epic fantasy romance, Seeking a Scribe: Enchanted
Bookstore Legend One. This is the first of a 5-part series.Lyra is about to leave the island community in northern Michigan to return to Florida and obligations of her college teaching career. She must finish the last part of her quest there on her own, apart from Cullen, her wizard lover. This is their parting scene, one of my favorites from the book.
He squeezed her tight and spoke next to her ear. “I
don’t fear death if you fail the quest. I’ve lived over two hundred years.” His
voice cracked, choking on tears. “But, I don’t want to die without sharing some
of my life with you.”
She grabbed onto his shoulders. “There will be a way
for us. I’m not going to let you die.” She suddenly pulled away. “I forgot
something.” Turning back, she ran into the house. In a single minute, she raced
out with a smile burning across her face through the tears and carried two
garment bags. “I wanted these to go in last so they didn’t muss or get torn.”
His brow rose high above his swollen eyes. “What’s
this?”
“The dress you gave me for our special date. I want to
remember that evening clearly while we’re apart. And Aunt Jean’s wedding gown.
I’m going to try it on and see if it fits. Maybe I will wear it when…”
“Take a moment and try it on for me now, before you
go. Please. Really quick.”
Without a thought, she sailed inside to the downstairs
bedroom which had a full length mirror.
He followed close.
After she hung the gowns on a door hook, she peeled
off her shorts. The t-shirt came off with more care since she’d pinned her jadestone
brooch onto it. She unzipped the bag. Her hands shook while she carefully
slipped the dress off its hanger. She lifted the mass of ivory satin over her
head.
Cullen helped move folds of fabric in place around
her.
She gently extended her arms into the short, puffed
sleeves and pulled the bodice over her bosom. With a few easy tugs, it fit
perfectly. A long train extended from the back of its empire waist. She turned
to see her image in the mirror.
Cullen looked over her shoulder at her reflection.
She gasped and he grabbed her arms. His mouth dropped
open. The view in the mirror showed their auras, hers gold and his blue,
blending into one light.
“Like in the stream the first day of my journey in
Dragonspeir.”
“The Stream of Omens.” He turned her around and
pressed his lips to hers. “You were correct about this dress. Jean didn’t just
forget. All right, my Little Butterfly, change and let’s get you on the road.”
She carefully removed the gown. After she dressed in
her shorts, she checked and the mirror no longer revealed their auras. The gown
indeed held magic.
He gathered the garment bags and placed them flat
across the top layer of belongings in her back seat, then he found her lips for
a kiss. “There will be a way.”
Tears welled into her eyes. “I will trust.” She got
into the driver’s seat, and her heart swelled with determination to complete
the quest. As she drove down the street, she watched him in her rearview
mirror.
Lyra McCauley is a writer and loves fantasy novels,
but until she opens a selection from bookstore owner Cullen Drake, she has no
idea he’s a wizard character who lives a double life inside that volume…or the
story’s magic will compel her from the edge of depression to adventure, danger,
and love.
His gift to Lyra, the Book of Dragonspeir, was actually her copy, misplaced years ago.
Lost in her pain following divorce and death, she fails to recognize him as her
childhood playmate from the fantasyland. Friendship builds anew. Attraction
sparks. But Lyra doubts whether a wizard is capable of love. She’s torn—should
she protect her fragile heart or risk new love?
Opening the book’s cover, she confronts a quest:
save Dragonspeir from destruction by the Black Dragon before he utilizes power
of August’s red moon to expand his strength and overthrow the opposing Imperial
Dragon. Lyra accepts the challenge, fearing Cullen will perish if evil wins.
Along with magical animal guides, Cullen helps her through many perils, but
ultimately Lyra must use her own power…and time is running out.
The next of this series, Heritage Avenged: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Two, releases on Tuesday!
The next of this series, Heritage Avenged: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Two, releases on Tuesday!
Lyra McCauley receives an alarming letter from the coroner
who evaluated her deceased aunt, originally thought to have died of cancer. The
news causes Lyra to take leave from her job and travel from sunny Tampa to the
frozen island community in northern Michigan. Questioning whether Dragonspeir
magic was responsible for her aunt’s death, she resolves to learn the truth and
accepts the Imperial Dragon’s appointment into the Alliance sorcery training.
Additionally, becoming proficient in magic craft is the only
way she can bridge the gap between her mortal human world and her lover’s.
Cullen, a 220-year-old wizard, is dependent upon his Dragonspeir magic for
immortality. He is her only family now; she cannot lose him.
Evil forces block her and try to steal her inherited scribal
aura. Riding a stealth dragon, a cloaked rider pursues Lyra. Both the Alliance
and Dark Realm alchemists lay tricks and traps. Her aura equals that of the
first and most powerful Scribe, but will Lyra’s novice training allow her to discover
the truth? Will she be able to be with Cullen, or will the Dark Realm keep them
apart?
I'm
looking forward to seeing what sweets some of my fellow authors on this hop
will serve. Be sure to check them out on the main blog page for Sweet Saturday
Samples.
