Beth Williamson's Blog

Release day y’all! I’m thrilled to death to announce the ebook release of ENDLESS HEART from Samhain Publishing!

**cue the confetti and the marching band**

This book was one of my heart, a story that had to be told, and a love I had to nurture. Lettie and Shane were by far the most intense, emotionally damaged hero and heroine I’ve written.

I’ve posted excerpts over the last two weeks for y’all to enjoy and celebrated around the web with blog posts and fun for all.

I hope you enjoy ENDLESS HEART and fall in love with this amazing couple as I did.

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!!

You can buy ENDLESS HEART at Samhain for 30% off until next Monday. Whatcha waiting for? Go get your copy!

Thank you to all the marvelous folks who came out to celebrate the release of ENDLESS HEART! I’m thrilled to see this published and hope you all have enjoyed the excerpts and the chance to win prizes!

With more than 200 entries, I needed to give a few more prizes than anticipated. Without further ado, here are the winners!

Winner #1 - Paperback copy of RUTHLESS HEART and RESTLESS HEART plus an ebook copy of ENDLESS HEART: Leann (leamei1981@yahoo.com)

Winner #2 – Prize pack of Beth Williamson/Emma Lang swag and an ARC of CIRCLE EIGHT: BRODY: Melanie J. (mpashon@hotmail.com)

Winner #3 – Paperback copies of CIRCLE EIGHT: MATTHEW and ARC of CIRCLE EIGHT: BRODY: Allison M. (amotherway@aol.com)

Grand prize winner: A 7 3/4″ (198 mm) long helm (or parallel) chain maille bracelet made of more than 100 rings of Argentium silver, hand-crafted by DH, the talented jewelry maker at Little River Jewelers in a beautiful green velvet and white satin presentation box as well.

CrystalGB (crystal816@hotmail.com)

Happy Memorial Day and a big thank you to all the veterans, their spouses and families, and to those who gave their lives for our country.

*P.S. – Contest winner post coming later today! :) *

Today is the last day to enter the ENDLESS HEART contest!! Tomorrow someone gets that beautiful bracelet and some extra goodies. It can’t be you if you don’t enter!

Remember, if you are a Twitter follower or a newsletter subscriber, you are automatically entered to win a download of ENDLESS HEART every day until the contest ends on May 28th. Day 13 winner is… @Tracys_Place!

One more free book is up for grabs a subscriber or follower. It might be you! :)

Post a comment today to be entered to win the bracelet. Sign up for my newsletter or follow me on Twitter to get a chance to win an ebook version of ENDLESS HEART.

Let’s peek into the blossoming romance between Shane and Lettie… an adventure with a bit of heat.

***

A small bird hopped toward her, its head cocked. Closer and closer it moved until she could see it was a sparrow. She stared at the bird, hoping like hell it was a coincidence. A sparrow? It had to mean nothing or would mean everything. The feather from her pillow sat nestled in the chest of drawers at home.

Lettie closed her eyes, unable to think straight. Later she would try to puzzle out the sparrow and the damn feather. For now, she leaned against the trunk of the tree and shut her eyes to rest.

When Shane appeared in front of her, she was startled. He smiled and picked her up again. She had gotten used to him being shirtless, but touching his bare skin still brought a tiny thrill. “I didn’t want to wake you, but the shack is dry and a good place to rest and stay the night.”

She glanced around, surprised to see time had passed since she’d thought about the peacefulness of the forest. “I fell asleep?”

“Yep, I believe you did. It gave me time to clean up a little and put together a bed for us.” He turned sideways and carried her into the shack. The light was murky, but it was enough to see what was there.

Lettie couldn’t explain it, but she felt safe inside it. The perfectly square building held nothing but a bed made of large green leaves in the middle of it and a broken chair. Yet it welcomed her and gave her a sense of belonging. How that was possible, she didn’t know. There were a lot of things that had happened in the last month she couldn’t explain, and likely never would.

He set her on the bed of cool green leaves. He’d made it a few inches thick, and it was quite comfortable. Shane reached behind him and came up with a leaf full of berries of different sizes. Her stomach rumbled loud and long. He laughed and put the leaf in her lap.

“Eat.”

There he was ordering her around again. At the moment, she was too hungry to tell him not to do it again, so she dug into the berries. The flavor burst in her mouth, and she greedily ate every one of them. Shane watched her with a grin playing around his lips.

She narrowed her eyes. “Did you give me all the food?”

“No, I ate as I picked. Didn’t find one rabbit out there, which was okay because I couldn’t find anything to start a fire.” He shrugged. “I went searching for what we could eat. There are berry bushes all around the cabin, heavy with fruit. I can get more if you’re still hungry.” There was the grin again.

“Then why are you smiling?”

His grin grew wider. “You have berry juice all over your face.”

Her first instinct was to scrub it off with her sleeve. Instead, she thrust up her chin and challenged him. “Then clean me up.”

His brows went up. “Is that an order?”

“I thought I’d return yours in kind.”

He got to his feet and bowed. “As you wish, my lady.”

My lady.

Was she his lady? She sure as hell wanted to be his lady. Neither one of them would find a mate as perfect if they searched for a hundred years. He was her man, and that fact would never change no matter what happened.

“I found a short waterfall behind the cabin, with a small pool beneath it. Only about a foot deep and three feet wide, but the water seemed clean. I need to find something to carry water in.” He knelt beside her, cupped her face and kissed her senseless. His tongue traced the outline of her mouth, then delved inside to dance with hers. Sweet, hot, wet kisses she could drown in.

***

Howdy y’all and welcome to day 13 in the countdown to ENDLESS HEART contest!! Only 2 more days to enter to win.

Remember, if you are a Twitter follower or a newsletter subscriber, you are automatically entered to win a download of ENDLESS HEART every day until the contest ends on May 28th. Day 12 winner is… reginamayross@gmail.com!

Two more free books are up for grabs a subscriber or follower. Ya can’t win if you don’t follow or subscribe. :)

Post a comment today to be entered to win the bracelet. Sign up for my newsletter or follow me on Twitter to get a chance to win an ebook version of ENDLESS HEART.

How about we check in on the supply trip? Anybody want to see what Lettie and Shane are up to?

***

She tried not to notice his scent or his nearness as she passed within inches of him. The man stood in her path, after all, and he wasn’t being polite and moving out of her way. She stuck her nose in the air, her anger simmering at Angeline, at Shane and most of all, at herself. The entire situation was her own fault, and she’d have to muddle her way through it.

He touched her elbow, and she flinched. A breath hissed through his teeth, but he didn’t say anything. She kept walking, wondering if life would ever be anything but painful. She had reached a point where she was content, and now emotions were turning her inside out again. Damn the man for falling onto her shoes. She’d never forgive him for it.

The wagon was ready and waiting outside the restaurant. The rig and the horses had been rented from the livery in town, costing the Gundersons money. Yet she knew others in town had contributed some, asking for supplies of their own. Lettie had a hefty list of goods to purchase, and she hoped the store in Benson had everything she needed.

Without waiting for assistance, she climbed into the wagon and settled onto the seat. The wood creaked and popped as Shane hoisted himself up beside her. He didn’t say a thing, but his thigh settled inches from hers. Feeling petty but unable to help herself, she pulled her skirt closer so it didn’t touch him.

What was wrong with her? He was a seemingly good man, who for some unknown reason found her attractive, and she pushed him away. It wasn’t logical, and she could hardly explain it to herself. Here they sat, uncomfortable and out of sorts, barely speaking. It seemed like a lifetime ago she’d bathed his body and they’d kissed. In the days since then, she had dreamed of making love with him.

A twister roared through her, tying her up into tight little knots she couldn’t possibly undo. Sitting there was as uncomfortable as she’d expected, even more so. She counted each clop of the horses’ hooves as each second ticked by. It helped pass the time and gave her something to do besides be silent and awkward.

By the time she reached two thousand four hundred and thirty, she was gritting her teeth. She could swear Shane was deliberately inching closer to her. The metal handle on the seat was currently digging into her hip.

At six thousand two hundred and fifty, she gave up counting entirely. Her hip was throbbing, she had to pee and she had swallowed a bug. It was time to stop and rest for a few minutes.

“Stop the wagon.”

“Huh?” He turned to her, as though he had been daydreaming about anything but sitting beside her on a wagon.

“Stop. The. Wagon. I need to, ah, use the necessary.” Lettie refused to say please. That was not in her vocabulary anymore when she spoke to men, any man.

“Oh, sure thing. I could stretch my legs too after the last couple hours.”

“A couple hours? It’s only been a couple hours?” She punched him in the arm.

“Ow.” He pulled the wagon to a stop in a grassy area and set the brake. As he rubbed the spot where she’d punched him, he scowled at her from under the brim of his borrowed flat-brimmed brown hat. “Why did you hit me?”

Lettie stared, horrified by the fact she had punched him. The man had been beaten nearly to death, and she knew very well how much fists hurt, far longer than the bruises lasted. Yet she had deliberately hit him.

“I’m sorry.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. When he opened his mouth to respond, she turned and leapt off the wagon. She landed hard on her right ankle, which then throbbed as she tottered off to the nearby bushes to relieve herself.

Lettie was never this out of sorts. She felt itchy, as though she could jump out of her skin any minute. As she found a suitable bush, she pulled up her skirt and did what she needed to. She never forgot for a second that Shane was close enough to hear her urinate. It was another strange thing about a strange day.

***

Welcome to day 12 in the countdown to ENDLESS HEART contest!! Only 3 more days to enter to win.

Remember, if you are a Twitter follower or a newsletter subscriber, you are automatically entered to win a download of ENDLESS HEART every day until the contest ends on May 28th. Day 11 winner is… @llsranch!

A free book can be yours if you’re a subscriber or follower. Today could be your lucky Friday!

Post a comment today to be entered to win the bracelet. Sign up for my newsletter or follow me on Twitter to get a chance to win an ebook version of ENDLESS HEART.

And now for real life with Lettie and Shane… will she take a chance?

***

“I want to wash up too. I know I’ve got enough dirt in my hair to build an anthill.” She scratched at her scalp. “If I can sit on the bottom of the creek, I should be okay.”

His pupils dilated and his nostrils flared. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? You’d need to, ah, take your clothes off.”

Now it was her turn to react. Her blood quickened at the idea of disrobing in front of him. It brought back the memories of her very vivid, very erotic dreams. Ones she could not forget if she tried. There had been so much pleasure and closeness between them in those imaginings. She held them dear, never intending to tell a soul of them, particularly the man who featured in them.

“I’m sure I don’t have anything you haven’t seen before. Besides, after I wash up, maybe we can rustle up some of the food from the wagon.” Eating would be another welcome distraction.

“Ah, yes, but I haven’t seen yours. That is, we haven’t… Hell, I feel like a fifteen-year-old here.” He rubbed his hands down his face, the whiskers rasping against his palm. “If that’s what you want, I’ll help you.”

Oh, she wanted more than that, much to her consternation. She wanted to see him disrobe and join her in the stream, help her wash. Was she brave enough to ask him? Was it really what she wanted?

Yes and yes.

“That’s what I want.” She held up her arms, her heart thumping madly as he lifted her into his arms again.

This time she felt the heat of his skin, the tautness of his shoulder beneath her fingers. It reminded her of that day, weeks ago, when she helped him through his nightmare. Now he was healthier, his skin smoother. She resisted the urge to rub her hand down his back to feel how amazing she imagined it was.

What was wrong with her? How did she get to be such a wanton? After the life she’d led, there was no probability she’d want to be with a man. Yet she did. So much so that her body was ready before her mind caught up. Shane wasn’t threatening. He would never hurt her. Hell, he had saved her life, doctored her wounds and cared for her as she slept. He was a good man; she knew that in her bones.

Lettie trusted her instincts, and they were screaming at her to take a chance with Shane. She had decided she couldn’t be with him for good, but perhaps she could be with him for now. Use this time to erase the marks left behind by the monster who used her for his sadistic needs. It wasn’t as though Shane wouldn’t enjoy himself, but she would be using him for her own purposes.

She pushed aside the guilt and focused on the man. He was alive, holding her, giving her every bit of his attention. She would be a fool not to take what was right in front of her. There would likely never be another chance or another man like Shane.

***

And day 11 is here! Only a few days left in the countdown to ENDLESS HEART contest!!

Remember, if you are a Twitter follower or a newsletter subscriber, you are automatically entered to win a download of ENDLESS HEART every day until the contest ends on May 28th. Day 10 winner is… deani501@yahoo.com!

Anybody can win today if you’re a subscriber or follower. Why not you?

Post a comment today to be entered to win the bracelet. Sign up for my newsletter or follow me on Twitter to get a chance to win an ebook version of ENDLESS HEART.

How about we see what Shane is dreaming?

***

Shane woke up, sweating and aching. His staff was harder than an oak tree, pulsing against his drawers. He had never had a more realistic dream in his life. Her scent clung to the air around him, a musky perfume he knew was uniquely hers.

Another dream. About her. This time he’d spoken her name in the dream. Jesus Christ, he could hardly believe how realistic the dreams were. He’d memorized her body, her pleasure spots, her taste. It was impossible to know any of it, yet he did, as though he’d been with her for years.

He wasn’t about to go back to sleep. In fact, he would have to get rid of the erection or he might never sleep again. It had been some time since he’d had a stiff dick. Now he’d had one twice since meeting Lettie.

Closing his eyes, he pictured her face as it was in the dream. Mouth open, eyes languid with deep passion, her breasts shining with perspiration and her hot channel wrapped around him. It took only half a dozen strokes before he came so hard he saw stars.

More than embarrassed, he got to his feet and washed up quickly, including wiping the sweat off his body. The breeze through the open window ruffled the curtains, drying his overheated skin. He yanked his drawers on and was climbing into bed when he spotted something on his pillow.

A feather.

He picked it up, twirling it between his fingers. It appeared to be a sparrow feather. How had it gotten in the room, and why was it on his pillow? He set it on the windowsill, somehow more disturbed than he should be by an innocuous item like a feather.

He finally climbed into bed, restless and more than anxious. The dream hung on him like a heavy coat, the details so incredibly real, he could almost taste her cunt on his tongue. Whatever had happened in the dream, it hadn’t happened in this room. It was a house he’d never been in yet he knew it as though he lived there.

What did it mean? He dreamed, of course, like everyone. But this had been more like a memory, which was ridiculous because he’d never done more than kiss Lettie. He certainly hadn’t made love to her or tasted her nectar. Lord only knew if her body was as he imagined it, although he wouldn’t be surprised if she was built like he expected.

An owl hooted outside the window. Shane lay there for hours, sleep eluding him, remembering each moment of his dream. The next time he saw Lettie, his dream would rush back at him. But it hadn’t been real no matter how much he wished it was.

Shane kept repeating it to himself, but it didn’t matter. He felt the ghost of her fingers on him, smelled her unique scent and tasted her tang on his tongue.

He was in trouble.

***

Woohoo, day 10 dawns in my countdown to ENDLESS HEART contest!!

Remember, if you are a Twitter follower or a newsletter subscriber, you are automatically entered to win a download of ENDLESS HEART every day until the contest ends on May 28th. Day 9 winner is… @a_colson!

Day 10 winner could be anyone! Will it be you?

Post a comment today to be entered to win the bracelet. Sign up for my newsletter or follow me on Twitter to get a chance to win an ebook version of ENDLESS HEART.

How about we add a little heat to the excerpts? Let’s join Lettie in a dream…

***

The room was filled with a warm glow from half a dozen candles on a table in the corner and on the chest of drawers. She wore a diaphanous nightdress, far fancier than anything she’d ever seen, much less touched or worn. It felt deliciously naughty against her skin. Her nipples peaked as soon as the fabric slid on.

She eagerly waited for him to arrive, the room prepared for seduction. The small knock at the door had her pulse thumping. She turned the knob with damp palms. When she saw his beloved face, her nervousness blew away like a puff on the wind.

He stepped in and closed the door behind him, the key making a gentle snick in the lock. His gray eyes widened when he noticed what she wore. A little whistle escaped from him.

“You look beautiful.”

Her cheeks warmed at the compliment. She knew she wasn’t really beautiful. However to know he thought she was, well, that made her heart flutter like a trapped butterfly.

“Thank you.”

He reached for her hands and opened her arms, pushing her breasts up against the soft fabric. The material was nearly see-through, letting him peek at her gorgeous form. As his gaze started on a second journey from her head to her feet, she made an impatient noise in her throat.

“Kiss me.”

He let her hands go and saluted her. With a grin, he snatched her close, his mouth connecting with hers in a clash of lips and tongue. In moments, she was on fire for him, only him. She could hardly catch her breath so great were the waves of arousal that washed over her.

His lips left hers and made their way to her neck. The trail of heat sent goose bumps across her skin, making her nipples ache and her core throb. She couldn’t wait to feel his mouth in other places on her body. He sucked at her earlobe then blew on the wet skin.

“Mmm, that feels good.”

“I’m just getting started, honey.”

His hands traveled down her back until he reached her ass. He kneaded her round behind, pulling her close until her softness met his already hardness. She fairly vibrated with need, feeling his arousal mixing with hers, the heat building rapidly.

“You’re wearing too many clothes.”

He chuckled. “I’m trying not to rip this flimsy thing off you. God, how you make me crazy, woman.” He thrust against her belly, and she closed her eyes, reveling in the rush of tingles spreading through her from the contact.

“Do that again.”

He complied, much to her delight. His hands tugged at the pretty nightdress, pulling it up until she had to raise her arms. The beautiful garment fluttered to the ground, leaving her naked.

***

Day 9, tick tock, only 5 more days for my countdown to ENDLESS HEART contest!!

Remember, if you are a Twitter follower or a newsletter subscriber, you are automatically entered to win a download of ENDLESS HEART every day until the contest ends on May 28th. Day 8 winner is… FictnlMice@yahoo.com!

Day 9 winner could be anyone! Will it be you?

Post a comment today to be entered to win the bracelet. Sign up for my newsletter or follow me on Twitter to get a chance to win an ebook version of ENDLESS HEART.

Another peek into Shane and Lettie’s growing relationship perhaps…

***

Shane told himself he wasn’t disappointed when a different brown-haired woman brought him dinner. She was nice enough and said her name was Karen. She chatted about her son Dennis, the floppy-haired boy who had taken care of the tub and water for him. The company was welcome, if not the woman he wanted to see.

Lettie seemed to have disappeared entirely.

With each meal that passed, he hoped to see Lettie, but someone else always brought him his food. There was a young pretty thing named Alice who gave him the evil eye as though he’d already harmed her, Karen, the granny angel and an older man named Pieter who sported blond hair liberally sprinkled with gray. Everyone who worked at the restaurant brought him meals, except Miss Lettie Brown.

Shane hadn’t allowed himself to feel emotions for so long that finding someone who evoked a response from him was a pure miracle. His heart and soul had been blackened, burned in the fire of his shame and guilt. With Lettie, he’d transformed into a phoenix, rising from the ashes, whether he wanted to or not. Her straightforward ways, brassy and outspoken, called to whatever was left of him deep inside.

She had no idea what kind of sleeping monster she’d awakened. His belly was full, his wounds healing, and the doctor had been impressed by Lettie’s doctoring. Hell, Shane had a clean bed for free, strangers fed him, emptied the chamber pot and made sure his bandages were changed. What more could he ask for?

Lettie.

Three long days went by without seeing her. By then, Shane was itchy, grumpy and annoyed. By his count, it was Friday and he’d been at the restaurant nearly a week. He hadn’t felt physically good in at least ten years, since before the war when life had been perfect and his soul unstained.

When the door opened, he turned to look, expecting Alice, who had been bringing breakfast each day, but it was Lettie. She held a plate of breakfast and a mug of coffee. Her expression was blank, but her jaw twitched as though she was clenching it.

“Where have you been?” he blurted.

She scowled. “I do have to work, Mr. Murphy. Not all of us get by on the kindness of strangers.”

Oh that one hurt. He winced inwardly. “I’m thankful for everything you folks have done for me. I would appreciate it if you didn’t throw your kindness in my face.”

“I didn’t mean… That is, I don’t always say things right.” She seemed flustered, and her cheeks flushed a light pink. It made some freckles on her nose appear, ones he hadn’t noticed were there.

***

Howdy y’all! Can’t believe it’s day 8 of my countdown to ENDLESS HEART contest!! It’s half over, and only one more week to enter.

Remember, if you are a Twitter follower or a newsletter subscriber, you are automatically entered to win a download of ENDLESS HEART every day until the contest ends on May 28th. Day 7 winner is… @TabithaMichelle! I wait your email – cowgirlbeth@gmail.com – with your choice of formats.

With day 8 comes another winner! Will it be you?

Post a comment today to be entered to win the bracelet. Sign up for my newsletter or follow me on Twitter to get a chance to win an ebook version of ENDLESS HEART.

Are you enjoying the excerpts? I hope so! Let’s see just how far Shane has fallen and who is there to help him back up.

***

Taking care of Mr. Murphy was turning her into a fool, or maybe the punch to her face had jumbled up her mind enough that she was acting loco. Either way, the strangeness had begun with the man in the bed upstairs.

A thump from above made her stop in mid-stride.

She turned to see Karen and Alice, who were currently serving customers, look at her. The waitresses both had their eyebrows raised. If Lettie knew Karen, the thirty-five-year-old was already quizzing Marta about Mr. Murphy, as she was always on the prowl for a new husband. Alice was nosy and too immature to know her elbow from her ear.

Lettie shrugged at them and continued up, trepidation growing with each step. The upstairs was dead quiet, the only noise the low murmur from the restaurant below. The door to the room where the stranger lay was closed. She had distinctly left it open knowing she would be carrying coffee up. So who had closed it? She set the mugs on the floor beside the door and wiped her hands on her apron.

After taking a deep breath, she put her hand on the knob, half-expecting it not to turn. However, it moved easily, and the door swung open.

The bed was empty.

Surprised couldn’t describe what she felt. The man couldn’t sit up fifteen minutes ago. Where was he? She swung around as though someone was standing behind her, but the hallway was empty, the rest of the bedroom doors open. A small sound came from the corner of the room.

She peeked around the door, heart in her throat, bladder threatening to let loose. There sat Mr. Murphy, his naked back gleaming in the sun, curled into a ball, his arms around his head, knees up. The position was so achingly familiar her annoyance and fear vanished. She knew what it was to be flat-out terrified. For the first time in a very long time, Lettie was the one who could help.

Normally the recipient of assistance, she hadn’t reached out to another human being to offer anything but a plate of food in at least six years. The stranger roused the sleeping conscience within her, the one beaten into submission by hard fists. She closed the door and got to her knees in front of him, trying not to startle him. He wore his drawers only, and a pitiful pair they were.

“Mr. Murphy?” She kept her voice low.

He made a sound deep in his throat, a part-growl, part-whimper, and tried to make himself smaller. Shane was a big man, and it seemed impossible he could be any tinier than he was, but he managed it. Lettie slid up beside him, as Angeline had done for her so many times, and lowered her arm until it touched his bare shoulders. His skin was cool and clammy. She told herself not to pull away—he needed her. Right now that was more important than following her no-touching rule.

“I’m here now. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

He shuddered at the contact, but he didn’t push her away or protest. She let her arm relax until it was across his back—his very wide back. She could barely reach his other shoulder. He trembled so hard it made her bones rattle. Lettie conjured Angeline’s strength and found herself talking in soothing tones, her body heat warming his chilled flesh.

“I’m sorry, Violet. So sorry.”

Her name, again, from his lips. Her stomach clenched, sending the taste of bile into her throat. She nearly ran from the room. There had to be a logical explanation. Obviously there had been someone named Violet in his life and he was apologizing to her. There was no chance he knew Lettie’s first name or the shortened version of it she used now.

“It’s okay, Shane.” She rubbed his back. Being close to him and providing comfort made her feel awkward and unnerved. “I, uh, forgive you.”

He turned his head and snuggled against her until her chin rested on his hair, which stank to high heaven. She couldn’t pull away now. The man needed her no matter how uneasy she was.

“I ain’t never been the husband you needed. I’m sorry, so sorry,” he mumbled against her neck. It appeared Violet was his wife, and Shane suffered guilt over something he’d done.

“Shhhh, it’s okay. You’re safe now. I won’t let anyone hurt you.” Lettie repeated herself over and over in a singsong pattern. It wasn’t the words, it was the tone. She knew that firsthand.

Ten minutes passed, and she realized he had calmed because of her ministrations. He’d relaxed so much he’d fallen asleep.

Well, wasn’t this a predicament. Here she was all cozy with a stranger, who was bloody, reeked and only wearing his drawers. Lettie wanted to run from the room like her ass was on fire, yet she stayed, strangely gratified to be able to console him.

***