Keys again. What'd it mean? (Snippet from Frigga's Lost Army) #historicalfantasy #TuesdayTeaser

I thought I'd do something different today, so here's a #TeaserTuesday snippet of my new book, Frigga's Lost Army.

Since I've more space to share here than on Twitter, *eg* here's the longer version. This is from chapter three of Frigga's Lost Army. So here we are, Benjamin (Ben) was fighting in Africa during the war (World War 2) and he's taken prisoner. He has been in a POW camp in Naples, Italy (at this point in the story) for several months. Since his capture, he's received a hint that someone's coming to save him...but he hasn't seen her/him/it yet. Poor dear, he's not quite well versed in reading the mystical signs. 

Tonight, he's working, in charge of the feast, at the home of one of the Fascist camp official's friends when he meets with the Lady of the House. Let's see if this meeting changes anything, shall we? Read on:

“You haven’t been well.” She turned back to him. “Have you, Benjamin?”

How did she know his name? None of the guards or occupants here bothered to ask for their names. Benjamin’s heart hammered in his chest as he hesitated, unsure how to answer. Was her curiosity sympathetic, or dangerous? Studying her, Benjamin found it hard to believe her anything but the former. “No, ma’am. Well, this winter I was ill, but I’m well enough now. Without Mom’s remedies—”

She laughed and Benjamin clamped his mouth shut. “I understand,” she said, nodding in a sympathetic way. “You hoped it wouldn’t show. No, there’s no need to protest; I understand. You’d rather die on your own than to have one of them notice any weakness and end your suffering.”

“Yep, and not in a way I’d want them to.”

She nodded.

A sense of relief set in and he leaned against a wine rack as he considered what she’d said.

“It’s much easier to say, than to accomplish, ma’am. Doctor Keenan’s swell, but my flu hasn’t been as easy to hide as you might think. I don’t know how I’ve survived this long. Weakness is suicide here; stupidity is suicide, and I’ve been both.”

She shook her head sadly. “I wouldn’t say so.”

Benjamin’s dark eyebrow arched. “Oh? Take this afternoon: I thought the Fascists would shoot me for talking to you. I’m still not sure we won’t be murdered—or at least me.” He shook his head. “And worrying’s not like me. Before Tunis, I wasn’t so skittish—not like this. Now, it’s worse.” He paused, pondering her, eyes narrowed. “And now I know why you got away with speaking to me this afternoon, Signora.”

“Do you?” She gave him an inquisitive look. “Do you know me now?” She smiled, clasping her hands before her in a satisfied, almost congratulatory gesture. “I’m pleased, Benjamin. I thought it would take you much longer than this to recognize me.”

Benjamin frowned, confused. What’s her game? “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Are you not?” She frowned; even her frown was lovely. Benjamin mentally scolded himself for the thought. He was not here, after all, for . . . any kind of love.

Her question refocused his concentration. “Should I recognize you, ma’am?”

“Yes.” When he said nothing she added, “You still don’t know me?” He shook his head, and she sighed. “Well, don’t worry; you will.” She descended the steps, crossed the cellar. Soft clinking sounds rang through the cellar as she selected a bottle from the racks. Benjamin peered over her shoulder, reading the label, and suggested a different vintage. She thanked him and, retrieving the correct bottle, removed the keys from her belt. His eyes were on them more than her. 

Keys again. What did it mean?

***

Herm.... What do her keys mean?? Maybe he is getting an inkling... Maybe things are about to change. 

Are they? You can find out in...

FRIGGA'S LOST ARMY

genre: Historical Fantasy. 

Setting: World War 2 Italy.

Synopsis:
In the winter of 1943, Benjamin is just a grunt and Army cook—until he finds himself captured, along with his unit, taken prisoner by Mussolini's troops after the Battle of Tunisia.   Transported to a POW camp in Italy, Benjamin is plagued with intense visions of the Norse Goddess Frigga and her retinue of Valkyries, berserkers, and other magical beings.   When he encounters a woman bearing an uncanny resemblance to the goddess, he wonders if he hasn’t been entangled in a battle between the natural and the supernatural—a battle for the present and the future.

And yes, it's available at Amazon for your purchasing and/or Kindle Unlimited borrowing pleasure. It's also in paperback.

I hope you will enjoy the story, and tell your friends! :)

***

Juli D. Revezzo is the author of the historical fantasy FRIGGA'S LOST ARMY, the Gothic fantasy romance LADY OF THE TAROT, now available in Audiobook from Audible and in ebook and paperback, MOURNING DOVE LOCKET, the latest in the Antique Magic paranormal series, also the Celtic Stewards Chronicles fantasy romance series, as well as the Victorian Romance HOUSE OF DARK ENVY, among others. Her books are available at Amazon and elsewhere.

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New Release--Bewitching Book Tour--Faerie Lights: Glimmer by Rayna Noire

It's my pleasure today to bring you what looks to be a very interesting read. Rayna Noire's written an historical fantasy that I hope you will enjoy. She's here today to talk about the Everyday Magic that inspires her, so do read on. And don't miss the giveaway at the end!

Everyday Magic

I was fortunate to have taught for the last twenty plus years. One of my favorite things to do is talk to children. Their imaginations are limitless. The younger they are, the more they see magic in life. Too often, as adults we lose that ability too caught up in work stress and financial woes. For just a moment, take a cleansing breath and let’s examine some everyday magic moments.

1.     Dawn. Primitive people rejoiced when the sun came up since they never took it as a given.

2.     Nature. A simple ten-minute walk beneath the trees and beside water will elevate your mood.

 Cut flowers also help you think and remember better.

3.     Art. Ever wonder why the adult coloring books are so popular? Coloring lowers stress levels and creates something magical.

4.     Seeds. Every year, I plant Gray Russian Mammoth Sunflower seeds. They often grow to twelve feet tall. This is incredible.

5.     Music. It heals and uplifts.

6.     Pets. There’s no love quite like a pet’s absolute adoration.

7.     Stars. They’re excellent for wishing.

8.     Dancing. Twirling around and waving your arms can banish a bad mood.

9.     Bubbles. The iridescent gleam of the bubble and the way it floats on the breeze reminds us of the magical ball Glenda, the good witch, used in The Wizard of Oz movie.

10.             Fireflies. Their tiny flashing lights in the night are reminiscent of faeries.

11.             Love. Ask any mom who has experienced a tight hug from her child or lovers who whisper endearments in the dark, they’ll tell you love is magical.

Reading a good book is everyday magic too.

Yep. It sure is. Can you tell us a little about yours?

Faerie Lights: Glimmer

Faerie Lights

Book One

Rayna Noire

Genre: Historical Fantasy

Publisher: Sleeping Dragon Press

Date of Publication: August 31, 2016

ISBN: 978-1-944712-99-0

ASIN: B01IODFZAY

Number of pages: 278 (est)

Word Count: 84,059

Cover Artist: Dawne Dominique


Book Description:

Historical fantasy set against the backdrop of WW1.

For seventeen years, the convent walls kept Meara Cleary from the secret of her own parentage.The sisters regard her with a cross of disdain and fear. Only among the trees by the gurgling creek does she find acceptance. A bearded stranger claims she’s his niece and promises to take her home. Before he can, a cataclysmic event thrusts her into a war-torn world.

Meara vows to journey to Ireland to find her uncle, unaware of how perilous a journey it will be. Her Druidic father guides her through dreams, explaining her magical heritage. Her dead parent can’t help her with the intricacies of village life, especially when she catches the eye of the very engaged Braeden Douglas.

A whirlwind composed of equal parts menace, romance, and revelation sweep Meara across the continent while gathering allies and enemies with equal speed. Her intent to return to her family turns into a fight to survive her own destiny.

Book Trailer:


Available at Amazon

Excerpt:
England 1915 A snap of a tree branch signaled Meara wasn’t alone. Her breath caught in her lungs and swelled her belly as she waited. A tiny thrill danced up her skin, leaving the hairs on her arms upright. Mother Superior strictly forbade the sisters from entering the woods. She called it going into the world, and they’d renounced the world when they entered the convent walls. The rule was for the sisters, not her, an orphaned child who by chance had been born within these same walls. A speckled fawn stepped into the sun-dappled clearing, allowing Meara’s breath to escape in a whoosh. A deer, a baby, which meant the mother wouldn’t be far behind. The doe stepped out from the brush, giving the girl leaning against the tree a speculative glance before foraging the mosses and delicate wildflowers. If she stayed still, the skittish forest inhabitants would ignore or possibly accept her. It meant a great deal that they accepted her in an offhand way. Birdsong accompanied the play and the chuckle of the nearby creek. The area around the convent walls drew her. Here, she felt at home. It certainly felt more right than walking in straight lines with the sisters chanting somber words to an unseen male deity who demanded constant homage in the form of prayers six times a day. Her hand covered her mouth, hoping she hadn’t said such a thing aloud. Even thinking it was a sin, but speaking it would result in excommunication and horrible punishment. Sister Thomas reminded her, anytime she’d made the mistake of complaining about the endless monotony of convent life, that her mother died a painful death in childbirth due to her sins. A few sisters whispered bastard, changeling, dark whelp within her hearing. Perhaps, they needed to point out she was different, as if she couldn’t have figured that out herself.

Outside the walls, she’d slip off her shoes feeling the cool spongy moss under her feet. It tickled, but more importantly, it lived and touched her. The lack of physical touch within the cloistered walls intensified her yearning for something to touch her, even if the touch was passive as she trod upon it. The tiniest shift of light motes moved through the air, forming and reforming, flying or tumbling through the air. The grass beside her pushed down similar to something landing beside her. Although her eyes did not convey such information, she knew, the same as she knew her mother did not die from any great sin. Dozens of Hogstead village women died in childbirth as Sister Gabriella explained when she found Meara crying in the garden shed.

A warmness crept over a body, a comforting peace that somehow came from the unseen presence beside her. To speak of it would destroy it. Even Sister Gabriella, who was bolder than the other sisters—since she took an angel’s name as opposed to a saint’s—wouldn’t understand.

The lengthening shadows indicated the vanishing afternoon. Soon the bells would toll for the three o’clock service, and her absence would be obvious. She stood, brushing the leaves off her plain brown tunic before giving a head bob to the area where she’d been sitting.”

“Good day to you.”

Even though no human words rode the air, she felt a response, one of respect and care. Her measured footsteps allowed her to move past the wildlife without sending it fleeing. Once she cleared the woods, she grabbed the hem of her tunic and ran.

About the Author:

Rayna Noire is an author and a historian. The desire to uncover the truth behind the original fear of witches led her to the surprising discovery that people believed in magick in some form up to 150 years ago. A world that believed the impossible could happen and often did must have been amazing. With this in mind, Ms. Noire taps into this dimension, shapes it into stories about Pagan families who really aren’t that different from most people. They do go on the occasional adventures and magick happens.

http://www.facebook.com/AuthorRaynaNoire

http://www.twitter.com/raynanoire

http://www.raynanoire.weebly.com

Tour giveaway
 (2) $50 Amazon giftcard among other prizes
 a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you'd like to try to win, please fill out the rafflecopter above. Thanks for being with us, Rayna, and good luck with Faerie Lights: Glimmer!


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Dragon Knight’s Ring by Mary Morgan--Bewitching Book Tour and giveaway #romance

Once again our friend Mary Morgan has a new release in her Order of the Dragon Knight's series. If you love time travel and Scottish knights, do put this on your to be read lists! There's also a giveaway below, so do check that out.

Dragon Knight’s Ring

Order of the Dragon Knights

Book Five

by
Mary Morgan

Genre: Paranormal Time-travel Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Date of Publication: August 12, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-5092-0983-5
ASIN: B01HDWY852
Number of pages: 366
Word Count: 89,500
Cover Artist: Debbie Taylor

Book Description:

Death destroyed their love. Yet, can a trio of Fenian warriors roll back time to reunite two lost souls?

Crusader, Adam MacFhearguis is on one last quest to the standing stones in Scotland where he seeks to bury the past. However, a silent prayer sends him to an unknown future and to his beloved Meggie. When he uncovers a shocking revelation, Adam questions everything about the woman he thought he knew and loved. He may have traveled the veil of ages, but time is now his enemy.

Margaret MacKay lives a life in the future without the memories of her past—her death. When Adam arrives at her door confessing he knows her, she is confused and wary. With each passing day, she yearns to learn more from this stranger. Yet, when a truth is revealed, can she trust the man to unlock the chains from her mind and heart?

Will love free the bonds to unite the two lovers who were doomed centuries ago? Or will evil finally claim victory over the Dragon Knights?

Amazon       BN      Kobo     The Wild Rose Press     ARe

First Excerpt:

Meggie brushed her fingers over the leather pouch. “It feels empty.”

“Are you not tempted to take a wee look inside?”

She snatched her hand back. “I’m not peering inside the man’s belongings. As soon as he wakes, he and his horse can leave.” Giving the horse a firm pat, Meggie walked out of the stall and away from her smirking cousin—only to run smack into her other cousin, Lena.

“Blast,” snapped Meggie, grabbing her cousin by the arm to help steady them both. “Sorry, didn’t see ye,” Seeing the excitement in Lena’s eyes, she stepped back. “What?”

“I hear you have a Highlander in the guest room,” she replied, giving Meggie a wink. “Are you going to share?”

Meggie placed her hands on her hips. “He’s not my Highlander. Feel free to have him, though as soon as he wakes he’s gone from here.”

Lucas strode out of the stables, wiping his hand on a cloth. “I think I’ll go introduce myself, since I think this man bothers you. You keep stating he must leave as soon as he wakes.”

Lena pushed her cousin aside. “No, Lucas. I will go check on him.”

“Ye are both crazy,” protested Meggie. “He’s just a man.” Stepping past them both, she marched away from the stables.

Approaching the entrance of the castle, her nerves tingled and the air cooled. Halting on the gravel courtyard, she slowly glanced up at the guest bedroom window. Gazing down at her was the dark Highlander. His hands were braced on either side of the glass, and Meggie could swear for an instant, she recognized him from somewhere. A dream, perhaps? The look he gave her pierced her soul, and she shivered.

“Impossible,” she muttered. “I don’t dream. And ye are leaving now.”

Breaking from his stare, Meggie entered the castle, almost running up the stairs. By the time she reached the guest room, her hands were shaking. Not even bothering to knock, she pushed open the door and stormed inside.

Her mouth became dry, unable to form the words to order this giant out of her home. His bulk blocked the light from the window as he leaned against the ledge staring at her. She was not one prone to swoon at men—any man, but this one made her a jumbled mess. Moving to the table, she picked up his sword and took it over to him. His eyes widened as she approached and she fell into their dark blue depths. 

“I…um…” she stammered before continuing. “Ye should leave.” There, she got the words out.

Instead of reaching for his sword, the man lifted two fingers and caressed her cheek. She gasped, the touch searing her skin, and she took a step back. She could see the look of shock pass over his features, as if he felt the same reaction.

Meggie shoved the sword into his arms and ran for the door. Yet, when her hand touched the handle, she heard him speak.

“Dinnae leave me again, Meggie.”

****

Second Excerpt:

Shocked by her words, Adam shoved the spoon into his mouth. Savoring the flavors of the meat, he handed the spoon back to her. Licking his lips, he arched a brow at her. “Needs more salt and meat.” Drinking the last of his beer, he set the bottle down.

“The first time I saw ye was in the hills near Urquhart. I was attempting to calm said beast.” He pointed to Ciar. “He was fierce in the beginning. Yet, ye ambled over to him, singing. Ye have always had a way with the animals. Your voice soothes them.”

“And that’s how we met, right? Ye did share this, but was there more?” She handed him another spoonful of the meat mixture.

“Aye. Ye followed me down to the loch, and we talked for many hours. It was the start of our kinship.”

Meggie rested her chin on her knees. “For how long, Adam?”

“Several summers.” He watched her closely, trying to gage her thoughts.

“Hmm…we were in a relationship.”

Baffled by her word, he shrugged. “I dinnae ken your meaning.”

“Were we a couple? Was I your girlfriend? Sweetheart?”

Adam took his thumb and captured a lone bit of food near her lip. Popping the tasty piece into his mouth, he heard her indrawn breath. “Ye were mine, Meggie. Stubborn, defiant, strong, and ye embraced each day with love for all.”

“What happened?” she asked.

“Ye left.” Standing, Adam moved away. Never a patient man, he wanted to blurt out everything, shake her into remembering. Frustration slithered inside of him. Walking over to an old oak, he braced his hands against its rough bark. He heard her approach, but kept his back to her.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, and then surprised Adam by placing her arms around him.

Her touch seared straight to his soul, fracturing a place within his heart that had been sealed since her death. He broke free from her embrace and turned around. Grasping her face with his hands, his eyes roamed over her features. Seeing her lips part, he could no longer control the man that longed to taste what had been stolen from him. His entire being seemed to be filled with waiting, and he grew weary of the fight.

Lowering his head, his tongue traced the soft fullness of her lips. Then he brushed a feather light kiss on her mouth. It was divine bliss when their lips touched. “Do ye want me to stop?” he asked, breathing the words against her cheek.

“Nae.”

Reclaiming her mouth, Adam crushed her to him. This time, he devoured her soft lips and drank in their sweetness, slipping his tongue inside her mouth. Her moan slid deep within him, and he trembled.

About the Author:

Scottish paranormal romance author, Mary Morgan resides in Northern California, with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return.

Mary's passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. She spent far too much time daydreaming and was told quite often to remove her head from the clouds. It wasn't until the closure of Borders Books where Mary worked that she found her true calling--writing romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.

Website: http://www.marymorganauthor.com

Blog: http://www.marymorganromancewriter.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/m_morganauthor

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mary.morgan.564

Facebook Book Page: https://www.facebook.com/Order-of-the-Dragon-Knights-1618877245066640/

Goodreads  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8271002.Mary_Morgan

Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Morgan/e/B00KPE3NWI/

Tour giveaway

A signed print copy of Dragon Knight’s Ring. $25 Amazon gift card. Jeweled bookmark, and a Keychain with cover of book.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please do fill out the rafflecopter above to get your names in for the giveaway, folks! Thanks for being with us again, and good luck with the book, Mary! I hope y'all have enjoyed this guest post, and do please leave Mary any comments or questions about Dragon Knight's Ring that you might have! 

*~*~*

 Juli D. Revezzo is the author of the Antique Magic paranormal series and the Celtic Stewards Chronicles fantasy romance series, as well as the Steampunk romance Watchmaker's Heart. Her books are available at Amazon and elsewhere

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New Release! Poseidon of the Ponds | Strip Me Back To The Bone

So, my friend Jolene Dawe (who, you know, I have reviewed and talked about before here, here, and here) has another new  book out, another in her Poseidon themed devotional. For all my readers (especially my pagan friends!) You should go check it out. I have it on my to be read list, currently.

It's available at Amazon.

She says, in part: Poseidon of the Ponds is the second volume in my Poseidon Liturgical Year project. It can be read alone, or as part of the series. In this volume, I write about the ritual I hold for Him....
   Synopsis: Poseidon of the Ponds is the second installment in 'The Poseidon Liturgical Year' series. Jolene Dawe, a devotee of Poseidon for twenty years, takes us along as she explores the meaning behind this holy day she has created to honor Poseidon.
You can see more about the project on her blog here. Go, now. Shoo. Check it out!    (And, FYI, I am currently reading her previous devotional Vigil of The Bulls, and I think you'll enjoy it too.)
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  Did you enjoy this post? Please subscribe for more! Follow *** Juli D. Revezzo is the author of the Antique Magic paranormal series and the Celtic Stewards Chronicles fantasy romance series, as well as the Steampunk romance Watchmaker's Heart. Her books are available at Amazon and elsewhere.

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Freebie alert take two--Duke of A Gilded Age by Suzanne G. Rogers

For your reading pleasure, author Suzanne G. Rogers is sharing her fabulous Victorian Romance DUKE OF A GILDED AGE, for free today. Check it out on Amazon.

Synopsis:

When American-born Wesley Parker inherits a dukedom in 1890, he must learn to be an aristocrat. Assigned to the task is his attorney’s daughter, prim Belle Oakhurst. As they travel to England together on a luxurious ocean liner, their tempestuous relationship encounters more than rough seas. Although Wesley is increasingly attracted to Belle, she is already engaged. While Belle begins to regret her hasty promise to marry, she is bound by honor and duty to keep her pledge. Furthermore, a thoughtless fabrication on her part threatens to expose her as a liar. Neither Wesley nor Belle can foresee that their voyage across the Atlantic will be fraught with peril, and will cost more than one man his life.

If you'd like to add it to your TBR's you can pick up your copy at Amazon.


*~*~*~*
Juli D. Revezzo has written the Victorian romance novel WATCHMAKER'S HEART. Check it out at Amazon. and in audiobook Audible


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new release–Watchmaker’s Heart

Announcing something new.

I’ve released a new book…something a little different than you might expect from me… A little steampunk, a little Victorian romance. It’s a genre I’ve been noodling around with in Works in Progress well.. forever. It’s not as dark as you might expect from reading the Antique Magic series, et al, But hey, a girl’s got to have a little fun and I had fun writing this one.

What is it? WATCHMAKER’S HEART is an historical romance about a young woman in the very late 19th century who likes to build things and doesn’t like attending balls like most young ladies her age… 

The synopsis is as follows…

Watchmaker’s Heart

Genre: Victorian romance, steampunk

Synopsis:

For Miss Phoebe Lockswell, fashionable London tea parties and balls aren’t her style. Instead, she prefers to tinker tirelessly with a clockwork diffuser she’s built from scratch. If only she can get the invention to work on command, she might earn her way out of an arranged marriage to a repugnant member of the House of Commons.

London watchmaker Mortimer Kidd was brought up hard in the arms of an infamous London gang. Despite the respectability he strives for now, the gang leader is blackmailing him. When Mortimer sees Phoebe’s diffuser, he thinks he’s found a way to buy himself out of trouble. The brash Phoebe manages to steal his heart, however, before he can purloin her invention.

Will Mortimer’s unsavory past catch up to him before he convinces Phoebe of his devotion? Worse, once Phoebe learns the truth, will she ever trust him again?

Excerpt:

Phoebe pretended the landscape outside the train window held her attention, but it didn’t. Her gaze fixed instead on the reflection of the skulking reporter as he oozed down the aisle. His beady, searching gaze swept over the passengers. She knew he sought her out, had seen him at the Royal Mechanics Society Expo and done her best to avoid him. Of all the bad luck! How did we end up on the same train? She had no intention of becoming a building block for his journalistic ambitions.

Could be worse. Could be a friend of her father’s. On the other hand, if this journalist cornered her she knew “no comment” wouldn’t suffice. Respectable young ladies didn’t travel alone. She knew no other respectable young lady like herself, however. Maybe she should’ve asked Sally to accompany her. Oh, but if the press ever caught them together, a flurry of scandal would ensue. She’d find her name splashed across the gossip pages attached to the word harlot.

An old man coughed. A baby squealed. Neither one distracted the journalist.

Blast it! Phoebe dipped her head, to hide behind her hair, and stood. She pushed her way through the cramped car.

Oh dear God, if that man recognizes me there will be hell to pay! If her name ended up in print, her father would know she’d come to the Expo. If the reporter cornered her, would she be able to lie her way off the front page? Bad enough her intent in coming to Southend-on-Sea, bad enough she’d gone against her father’s wishes in the trip, but to see her rebellion splashed over the newspapers would be nigh unforgivable!

I hope he hasn’t seen me! She quickened her steps.

A door loomed before her and she slipped through it gratefully. Thinking she was safe, she pulled off the veiled hat hiding her chestnut hair—only to find herself standing on the tail end of the train, staring at a strange man. He blinked at her in surprise, a perplexed look on his angular face. A pair of screen-sided coal goggles covered his eyes, and he held an indigo blue bandana in his light, strong hands. For a moment, he said nothing, simply gaped at her as if she’d caught him at no good.

She laid a hand over her pounding heart. “Oh! Excuse me.”

“I say,” the man protested, “I … uh. Hello.”

“Hello.” She glanced back toward the door and bit her lip.

“I don’t advise jumping,” the man said. “Life is intolerable sometimes, but it’s not worth that.”

“What?” Phoebe said. “No. I took a wrong turn. I thought this was the ladies’ lounge.”

A mixture of amusement and relief crossed his features. “That’s one door back.”

She looked over her shoulder doubtfully. To go back in, though? She stamped her foot. “Oh bother! Well, you see, sir … the truth is, I’m a little worried someone might be following me.”

The man frowned, his gaze on the door. “Someone’s following you? We’ll see about that.”

He stuffed the bandana into the pocket of his gray jacket and took a step forward only to bump into her. Phoebe shifted backward, mumbling, “Excuse me.”

He smiled at her, his eyes laughing behind the gray-tinged lenses. “I can’t do anything to help you if you block the door.”

“Hiding won’t help?”

“Not for long, I daresay, Miss….”

“Locks—” No, that would never do. She couldn’t disclose her real name and risk any accompanying gossip. If her father found out about her day, he would blame her life’s work. The fog and coal dust causing a tickle, she cleared her throat. “Locksley.”

“Ah. A female Robin Hood, are you?” he teased. “My name’s Kidd.”

“Like the pirate?” She couldn’t believe his parents had given him such a famous name. But she knew stranger things had happened in life.

His lips twitched and she wondered, in amusement, or annoyance?

“Yes,” he said. “As to your shadow, I’m sure you’ve lost him.”

She shifted the hat in her hands to better hold her bag. “You think so?”

He wiggled a finger to the door behind her. “Shall I check if the coast is clear?”

****

If you’d like to check WATCHMAKER’S HEART out, it’s up at Amazon now. The paperback is forthcoming. I can’t wait to see this cover in full real life color!I hope you will enjoy it! (Thanks, Suzanne G. Rogers, for the beautiful cover.) For those of you waiting for the next Antique Magic novel, I got the final edits back recently and I just have to get them in the computer. So, it’s coming… before Spring ends, I hope.

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