Today is the
last day of our blog hop. It’s been fun sharing excerpts from stories written
by my friends. I hope you’ve enjoyed them as much as I have.
Deception and family honor are at stake – so is her heart.
Wesley Reynolds
will do anything to avenge his family’s banishment from Dundhragon Castle even
throw in with the notorious pirate, MacAlpin. His plan, ruin Lord Ewan’s
trading network. He has a more devious plan for his father’s ‘best friend,’ the
man who abandoned them at the eleventh hour. He’ll ruin the man’s most precious
jewel, his daughter Darla. Wesley’s so close to ruining the trade network and
succeeding he can almost taste it, but revenge is not nearly as sweet as
Darla’s kisses.
Darla Maxwell,
beloved by her parents has no prospects of marriage. Her father and Lord Ewan
search to find her the right husband. Darla’s special gifts are frightening to
many. She has visions that often come true. The murky image of a man haunts
her, she’s sure it’s Lord Ewan’s soon-to-be son-in-law, but the vision morphs
when she meets Wesley. The meaning couldn’t be any clearer to her, her destiny
lies with Wesley.
When revelations
surface indicating Wesley has been deceived and his revenge misplaced. Will he
find the truth of what really happened to his family in time to stop the
pirates? Will Darla ever forgive him? Will he ever forgive himself?
Amazon Free for KU Subscribers or $0.99
As promised,
here is the entire excerpt with the final part of the scene from The Pirate’s Jewel. I love Wesley and
Darla. So did some others who left Amazon reviews…
“Fast
and furious this story whips you into the Pirate world, black flags 🏴☠ are raised and tempers flare, who Will come out
if this on top.” ~
M.Whitworth, Amazon
“Ruth
A. Casie has written a masterful mystery full of magic, dragons, jewels,
pirates and romance. This is an amazing read!” ~ BMichaels, Amazon
Complete Excerpt:
Wesley
stayed tucked in the shadows within earshot and watched Maxwell delight in Lord
Ewan’s pleased reaction.
“It
looks heavy. It will be slow in the water,” Lord Ewan said.
“Yes,
it is heavier than the birlinn, but the benefits more than compensate for the
weight,” Maxwell said as they boarded the ship and stood on the deck at the top
of the gangplank.
“The Black
Opal approached us at the Point. When we shifted the rudder to avoid a
collision, we lost the wind, but by adjusting the mainsail and using the
lateen, we caught the wind, circled the pirates, and sailed into the channel.
The Black Opal’s sheet was limp. They
had to use their oars,” Maxwell said.
“Luck?”
Lord Ewan’s left eyebrow raised a bit.
“No.
Skill. Wesley Mills was aboard. He’s captained cogs in Europe and has learned
his craft well,” Maxwell said. “When our Leo was struck down, he wasted no time
and stepped in. With Richards at the sail, the two made a good team. We were
lucky to have him with us.”
Wesley’s
breath caught. What was this? Maxwell gave him free passage and high praise.
“You
have a good idea here. Let’s talk when you return. I’ve given you as many men
as I can spare. My main force is two or three weeks from home,” Lord Ewan said.
“Come
this way, m’lord. I’d like to show you my castle.” The two men walked to the
stern of the ship.
Wesley
made his way back to Richards and helped roll the last of the barrels up the
gangplank.
Richards
mopped his brow and looked at the sky.
“I’ll
make sure there is no other cargo lingering on the dock while you lash down the
barrels, then I’ll rouse the men in the tavern. From the looks of the sky and
building wind, you’ll want to leave as soon as possible.” Wesley hurried down
the gangplank.
He
made his way between the crates where he could still see and hear what was
happening. It would be better for everyone if Lord Ewan didn’t catch sight of
him.
The
two men came out of the aft-castle.
“You
know we have enjoyed having Darla with us,” Lord Ewan said. Maxwell walked him
to the wagon.
“She
insists on coming home with me. I hate to disappoint her,” Maxwell said.
Lord
Ewan laughed. “You and I are two of a kind, not wanting to upset our daughters.
I will have an escort available by the end of the week to bring her home. I
expect you to be back for the wedding with your prize gem, to keep my daughter
happy.”
Maxwell
looked up and down the dock and pathway. Lord Ewan mirrored his movements.
“What
are we looking for?” Lord Ewan asked.
“Not
what, who,” Maxwell said. “Darla. It’s not like her to give up so easily.”
*
* *
Darla,
with her small satchel in hand, stood in the shadows of the ship and waited for
Lord Ewan to leave. She let out a nervous breath. This was her last chance to
speak to her father. She couldn’t fail.
Lost
in her thoughts, the seemingly magical appearance of a man near the hull
startled her. Although he walked in the shadows and she was unable to see his
face, his height and build spoke for itself.
The
docks by the castle were safe, but at night a woman of her breeding would never
wander by the ships. Tonight, it was a calculated decision, maybe not a good
one. That didn’t matter now. What was done was done. Aware of her predicament,
she remained alert and kept her eye on him. As he moved past her she recognized
the man’s familiar stride.
“Magnus,”
she called. The man kept walking.
“Magnus,”
she said more urgently. The shadow turned and faced her.
“You’re
…you’re not Magnus.” Caught off guard, the face was familiar, but not the man.
“No,
a pity that I’m not.”
“My
apologies.” She craned her head for a view of the gangplank. “You appeared to
have the features…in the shadows…I thought you were Lady Maria’s fiancé.”
“Oh,
you’re meeting her fiancé—”
“No,
no, no,” she said growing more agitated by the minute. She snapped her head around
as the sound of the horse’s hooves and the wagon on the cobblestones leaving
the dock reached her ears. She gasped and shuffled back a step stumbling on the
edge of the dock.
With
lightning speed, the stranger grabbed her arm and pulled her to his chest
before she tumbled into the water.
Darla
stared up into overpowering gray eyes that seemed to see right through her. His
ruggedly handsome face was familiar, but she couldn’t place from where. She
lowered her head and looked away. Crushed against his chest, she felt his hard
muscles under her hand. For a moment, she couldn’t move, she didn’t want to. A
heady sensation wrapped her in a daze like dream. A shiver across her shoulders
cleared her mind and she caught her wits.
“I’m
sorry.” She stepped away fidgeting with her skirt, glad she’d worn her sturdy
brown wool. Any of her other dresses would not have survived. She looked at his
hand on her elbow then at him.
“It’s
dark. And the shadows can be deceiving. I’ve seen many a seaman take a false
step and land in the water.” He let her go. The warmth of his touch lingered
when he removed his hand. For a moment her fingers ached with a need to touch
him. An overwhelming desire rushed through her veins before the heady feeling
subsided as quickly as it started.
Be sure to leave a comment to be entered into a drawing
for a free digital copy of THE MAXWELL GHOST. The winner will be announced here
next Monday, May 6,
The Maxwell
Ghost – Part of the Stelton Legacy
Their destinies are intertwined with hidden passions and a love
that will last for eternity.
The Maxwell’s
Caerlaverock Castle, on the Scottish border is in an uproar. Traitors,
deception, murders and ghosts run rampant. The crops have failed and the
granaries set ablaze. Rumors fly when servants Evan and his bride-to-be, Angel
are found murdered and Evan’s ghost haunts the castle. Did Evan kill Angel then
take his own life? Sonia, a young cook is sure everyone has it wrong. The ghost
haunts the castle seeking justice. She will move heaven and earth to get to the
truth, but she is helpless.
Laura Reynolds
travels from England to her cousin, The Maxwell’s castle to put Evan’s ghost to
rest. She has one week to complete the task or Evan’s ghost is doomed to haunt
the castle forever. The Maxwell, while he loves his cousin, doubts her
sorceress ways and has more important issues at hand, a traitor in their midst.
Jamie Maxwell
Collins has finished his service to The Maxwell and eager for his promised
farm. While long-time friends with Laura, he has little patience for her
sorcery, but in order to get his farm The Maxwell requires Jamie protect and
help her. Will Sonia’s information tip the scales and help them find the true
murderer and bring justice to Evan and Angel? Will Sonia’s insight help Laura
and Jamie realize their destinies are intertwined with hidden passions? All is
in jeopardy when Laura becomes the murderer’s next target. Jamie will find he
needs more than ghostly assistance to save Laura and realize they have a love
that will last for eternity.
