I lied. It's winter!
A beautiful day here at Depot Bay, Oregon had temperatures in the low sixties. This picture was taken at high tide and it was one of many gorgeous shots. For more pictures check out: http://christineyoungauthor.com -- photos.
Highland Sunrise is my current release.
Title:
Highland Sunrise
Author:
Christine Young
Genre: Women's Fiction
Excerpt
Heat Level: 1
Book
Heat Level: 4
He
Made Her An Offer...
Life
has thrown Christel McClellan some experiences that could have devastated a
less determined woman. Beautiful, self-assured and fiercely independent, she is
trying to forget the loss of her stillborn child. But is the child alive?
She
Couldn’t Deny...
Life
is carefree for Ryder MacLaren who loves to see what is on the other side of
the sunrise. Laird of Clan MacLaren, he is wealthy, handsome and happily unencumbered...until
stunning Christel McClellan enters his life. When he hears her story, he
believes the child she thought dead has been sold to a wealthy buyer.
EXCERPT
But Christel pushed away from him and
pointing, "There, do you see her. She is sitting on the wall."
Ryder strained to see the apparition
Christel pointed toward but he saw nothing. "No, but I think I hear
her."
"Yes, she is crying, not weeping
as usual. Do you know anything about her story?" Christel turned to him,
hope shining in her soft blue eyes.
"I've heard her lover died. But
that was a long time ago."
"How?"
Ryder pulled her back into his embrace,
not ever wanting her to leave. He would hold fast to her for as long as she
would allow him. "At war... I don't recall which one. The clans seem to
have always been at war with someone, especially the English."
He felt the nod of her head against his
chest. "Does anyone know the legend? I would seek them out."
Her breathing was slow and she seemed
relaxed. But Ryder feared for her. If she started asking questions, would this
ghost come to harm her? He didn't know anything about apparitions. But he also
knew he would have to give her a chance to discover the truth. "Only if
you let me go with you. I would be honored. There is a woman, older than time.
She wanders the castle grounds. Most see her in the late evening and early
morning."
"Old as time, no older?"
A shimmering silver light hung over the
castle and floated above the turrets. Ryder pointed toward the light. "Is
that her?"
"She's a bit reclusive."
Christel turned in Ryder's arms. "Yes, that's her."
"One might say that about
her." His hands rested at the small of Christel's back. He wanted to kiss
her but didn't want to frighten her again. Maybe a lazy gentle kiss would be
accepted. The thought made him grin.
He traced her neck with the tip of his
finger, hoping she would find his attentions acceptable then bent close to her.
"I want to kiss you. Will you let me?" She shivered in his arms but
turned her face up to him.
"Yes." She breathed softly.
Her words gentle yet hesitant.
Her reticence bothered him. What had
happened in her past? His thoughts shot to Lord Rathen and her hasty departure
from London. Every part of him tightened with disgust. He would discover the
truth and make the despicable rake pay for any injustice committed against
Christel.
Watching her eyes for signs of fear,
Ryder lowered his mouth to hers. He touched her gently, molded his lips against
her, thrilled to hear the sigh of pleasure emanate from her. He ran one hand up
her back, pulling her closer, reveling in the feel of her softness against his
hard planes. Her breasts pushed against him. The need to feel every inch of her
pulsed through him but he didn't dare.
He moved back and once again looking
into her eyes. She lowered her lashes then returned his gaze.
"Don't think, little one, just
feel and know that I would never hurt you. I want more but I won't rush
you."
She touched his cheek with one slender
fingertip. "Kiss me again."
