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 Serena is routed out during dinner, she manages to keep her true identity secret. After her close call with their host, however, she returns upstairs to speak with her cousin.
Though Serena is routed out during dinner, she manages to keep her true identity secret. After her close call with their host, however, she returns upstairs to speak with her cousin.
Allison gave a delicate shudder.“Well,
I don’t like the way his eyes seem to pierce right through me. They’re so cold and mean. He scares me.”
“I
can’t say that I blame you. I was
chilled by his penetrating gaze more than once myself tonight also. Even so, he didn’t really hurt anyone, and a
part of me almost feels assured that he doesn’t intend to.”
“You’re
defending him!” Allison accused.
“No,
I’m not. I’m just saying that you
needn’t fear he’ll attempt to enchant or enthrall you. Despite his rather unsavory reputation, I
don’t think he means to physically hurt any one of us, and ....”
Serena
wasn’t sure she wanted to admit that he had no knowledge of their
invitations. She suspected he would
honor his sister’s agreement, even though it might gall him to do so, and
telling the others that he did it not because he wanted to, but because he had
no choice, wouldn’t ease their minds any.
In fact, it might make them feel less valued than they already
felt. So instead, she finished, “and, he
regrets what happened this evening.”
It
was a small lie. In truth, Serena didn’t
think he regretted a moment of his actions, since it brought him exactly what
he wanted. But what puzzled her most
were her own feelings of ambiguity towards him.
She’d come here convinced he was the cold-blooded murderer of her
sister, but now, even after his softly spoken threats, she was beginning to
have doubts. Not of his ability, but of
his intent.
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.
Wonderful enthralling snippet Kathryn. I definitely want to know more!
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Roz