What
better way to show you
than to share a first kiss…
Excerpt:
“It’s beautiful,” she said, glancing around at the scene
expanding before her. She could see why he loved the area and had decided to
live here.
“See out there.” He pointed to the western mountains that
were much larger than the one they were sitting. “Those are the Smokies. See the
mist. They look as though they’re on fire, don’t they?”
She chuckled nervously. “Hence their name.”
“Exactly,” he said, laughing quietly, resting his hand over
hers.
It felt good, too good.
“You know, Cassandra, there’s an ancient Indian
legend in these mountains.” He stared forward at the valley below. “There was
an Indian princess madly in love with a warrior, but her parents were forcing
her to marry another to maintain peace between two rival tribes. When her truelove
discovered she was marrying another, they decided to run to the highest peak
and jump so they would always be together. Right before they planned to jump,
the warrior leaned in for a final kiss, and a gust swept in and carried the
princess away. Now he searches the valleys, whispering her name in the wind,
hoping they will be brought together for eternity.”
Cassandra felt his fingers trail up her arm causing goose
bumps to rise on her flesh. She turned to look at him, and his face was within
inches of hers.
She lowered her head then whispered, “Is that a true story?”
“No, I just made it up. You said you liked stories. I wanted
to see if I could cause your skin to react…did it work?”
“Yes,” she breathed.
He slid his hand up her arm and wrapped it around the
back of her neck, resting there. His other hand moved to her face. He simply
gazed into her eyes for a second, giving her a chance to say no, but she
couldn’t find the power to resist anywhere inside her.
“You’re beautiful, Cassandra, and so incredibly feminine.
I’ve wanted to kiss you from the moment on the riverbank. I hated seeing you
shivering. Without even knowing you, my arms ached to comfort you.”
She gulped, unconsciously licking her lips, not sure if she
was supposed to respond to his comment.
He didn’t wait for a reply. He pulled her head forward
slowly while still gently cupping her face. His lips touched hers lightly,
retracted for a second to gauge her reaction, and then he pressed his mouth to
hers again. His lips were warm and soft as they moved over hers, testing and
experimenting with the feeling. His mouth worked wonders, and she found herself
opening up to him, allowing his tongue to softly circle hers.
His hand moved
through her hair following her curls down her back pulling her closer. And then
his other hand slowly fell from her face only to follow her arm down to her
lap, retrieving her hand and placing it on his shoulder. She realized she had
been immobile up to this point, locked in his grasp like a falcon and its prey.
She moved her hand up his neck, entwining her fingers through his hair. As wild
as his hair looked, it was soft, incredible soft.
There was a low groan from his throat, and then he pulled
back unexpectedly, his eyes guilt ridden. “I’m sorry, Cassandra, I shouldn’t
have—”
Book description, as it's not just a romace:
When two strangers have nothing
left but their dreams, they must forge a relationship in Nantahala, North
Carolina, a small town known as Land of the Noonday Sun.
Cassandra is
the beautiful, yet analytical daughter of a wealthy attorney. Destined to
follow in her father’s footsteps, her life of privilege suddenly shatters, and
she finds herself with no home, career, or money. A glimmer of hope arrives in
a letter from the grave promising a happier existence. Cassandra stands to
inherit over half a million dollars if she can live in the sleepy little town
of Nantahala for six months. Falling in love, however, was not part of the
deal, and without warning, she finds herself fighting for two lives.
A man with a
traumatic past is able to turn his life around and is happy with his chosen
career as a whitewater guide. Everything changes though when fate hurls a woman
into his path. His carefree life is in turmoil, and his former weaknesses
threaten to overtake him. Will he be strong enough when tragedy strikes and is
once again in danger of losing everything he loves?
Just a few of the reviews:
"Wow!
Carmen DeSousa has written another emotional and suspenseful story about
family, friendship, love and betrayal that captured my attention from the very
beginning."
"What
I really have to say about this book is WOW! It has it all! Romance, suspense,
mystery, tragedy, faith."
"I
loved this one. I think it has a lot to do with the characters. Carmen DeSousa
may be incapable of writing a hero that doesn't make me melt."
"Passionate
characters, beautiful North Carolina setting, true love, and a bang-up mystery
to tie it all together. Need I say more? "Land of the Noonday Sun" is
a must-read!"
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Image credit: joseasreyes / 123RF Stock Photo
Aw, such a tender moment...and the day at the riverbank easily depicted on the book cover. *sigh* warm tingles on my skin!
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