Excerpt The Wager coming in November from Awe-struck

Coast of England 1816

"It's a bloody cursed day." Damian Andrews swept the child into his arms and waded through the pounding surf to the beach. He braced himself against the out-going current then sloshed through the crashing waves. Salt spray clung to the wind, stinging his nostrils.

Damian turned. Beneath his ribs, his heart pounded the cadence hard and fast. He swore again as he watched the captain shout orders to his crew. The French brandy that was supposed to have arrived this night would have to wait.

Standing in the longboat, the captain of the ship that brought the refugees held a torch aloft--the only light in the vast darkness. "Hurry, laddie. The tide is changing."

The little girl whimpered.

Damian pulled her close, bent on protecting her at all cost. "It's all right. You will all be together soon." Yet Damian knew this was only the beginning of their long journey. From here, they would flee to the colonies. Religious and political refugees--at times it seemed they came in droves. All were seeking a better life. A life of freedom. "Your mother is coming as well as your baby brother. You will all be safe."

Damian looked to the captain. "The brandy?" he queried.

"On the ship. There is no time now. You must hurry."

The child leaned into Damian, her little face nuzzling his shoulder, her silent sobs gut-wrenching. He pulled her closer, cursing at the elements as well as mankind and wishing he could find a way to shield the tiny child from all harm. He knew the feat to be impossible. The little girl touched a place in his heart and for a moment filled that broken space with light.

Aye, the mother would be with her children, but the father had chosen to follow later. A grievous circumstance. He had learned long ago one could come to regret such rash actions. And he’d also learned one could lose all chance at love in one instant.

Lord, but he’d lost his concentration and in losing that, he could well lose his edge.

No secrets--no lies. The thought haunted him.

The Wager

The Wager, published by Awe-struck books will be out in November. I'm looking forward to the release of the second book in the 12 book series. Amorica, our heroine, is determined not to fall in love. Of course she does the opposite. And to top if off she thinkis she is falling in love with an English dandy who in his dark life is a smuggler. My gosh, but you say a smuggler? Wasn't her mother killed by a smuggler? Does she hate all smugglers? Maybe all but one.

Making Time to write

I am to the point where I have to set my goals much lower than I am used to doing. Time to write? I never thought I would have trouble making time to write. Time to put something on my blog? I have many ideas but I sit and stare at the screen. It's not so much writers block but...I don't know what it is. I have so many thoughts going in so many directions I can't seem to condense them into something to write about. I had intended to put something on each of my blogs each week. I thought I would rotate them--one blog a day. After all, it's summer and I have time to write. So why haven't I?

New Beginnings

The title worked well on the Rouge's Angels blog, and so I thought I would use it again. Aidan has been bouncing around in my head for so long. It seems she wants her story told, but no, I have to wait. She is after all the littlest sister. She has the priviledge of the last story. "What," she says? "When will you write this? In about 6 years, after you retire?" Well that is the way it goes, is it not? I have yet to figure our how to amass enough time to write her story while I work full time. As it is my summers now are devoted to the anthologies for Rogue Phoenix Press. St. Patrick's Day is the theme for the next and well, I have 4.5 pages written. I guess that is a good start. Although my goal was 10 pages a day. I will work harder today. No tennis, no watching Wimbledon. Ah, that won't work. I am on vacation. And so one would think.

Aidan's misadventures continue

Aidan grinned. "He won’t be staying long enough to find fault. No one else has lasted more than a week."

Hunter laughed, instantly liking this young lady. "I am not going away any time soon." His gaze drifted from the fireball of energy to the squinty-eyed Allura.

Allura’s prudish expression had returned. "Well, don’t count on winning my hand, Mr. Hunter Gray. Foolishly, my father believes I keep secrets from him. There is nothing here for you to discover."

Will Aidan win the hand of Blade. Is it love at first sight? Stay tunned for more stunning revelations from the littles sister.