SPeekSunday - 3/8/15 - Deadly Enchantment - Serena faces a far more dangerous foe than she realizes #Paranormal #Shapeshifters

An unhappy shape shifter can be a dangerous companion....

For Sneak Peek Sunday authors share six paragraphs from a published work or a WIP (work in progress).

My excerpt for this week is from my 2nd book, Deadly Enchantment.  A shapeshifting wizard romance set in Victorian England published by New Concepts Publishing, 

In this snippet, which occurs in the middle of the second chapter, Dominic Westcroft has returned from London to discover his sister has invited several young women to his home, so he can select a new bride.  What neither he nor his sister suspects, however, is that one of the women is actually his deceased bride's sister.  Tormented by guilt over his wife's tragic and brutal death, Dominic has no intention of ever marrying again.  However, when his show of temper accidentally reveals one of their guests possesses magical abilities she's trying to keep hidden, he invites the ladies join him for dinner, so he can rout her out.

Though Westcroft manages to convince the young woman to reveal herself, after dinner, he pulls her aside for a private conversation and informs her he felt her strength and powers when his mind briefly touched hers.  Serena promptly denies possessing any special abilities or magic.

            “You may not fully realize them yourself, but you do have powers, Serena Blanford, whether you acknowledge them or not.  They are quite strong, actually, though a trifle unrefined.  But for your sake, my dear, let us hope that your protests of innocence are genuine.”

            Westcroft's threat, though gently spoken, was clear.  He would not tolerate deceit of any sort.  Serena did not mistake his ability to do her and her cousin great physical harm, but she refused to let him know how much he had frightened her.  Instead, she regarded him with a haughty bravado and said, “Well you, sir, are nothing more than a bully.”

            “I can be much worse than that, sweet Serena,” he warned softly, “so I suggest you take care not to try my forbearance further if you do not wish to incur the wrath of my darker half.”

            Her emotions in turmoil, Serena couldn’t suppress a shiver from the cold fingers of dread that crawled up her spine.  Realizing she may have taken one step too far, she raised her chin and said, “Then I shall bid a good night to you, sir, else I may regret what words pass through my lips next.”

            Unclasping his hands, he gave her a short bow.  “Good night, then.  Should I have Mrs. Sloan escort you up also, or do you know the way?”

            “I assure you that I can find my way unaided, sir, thank you anyway.”  That said, she swept in front of him and went up the stairs.

Though Dominic Westcroft suspects Serena has secrets she's not willing to share, he is determined to uncover the truth behind his young guest's deception, even if it means keeping the other women around as a ruse.

M/F, Shape shifting  wizards in Victorian England.

Read the first three chapters at: Deadly Enchantment

Available at NCP, Amazon, Barnes & Noble or ARe

Thanks for visiting.  I hope you enjoyed this brief excerpt and want more. Please click the link below to continue your hop Sneak Peek Sunday.  Wishing you a wonderful journey.