Debra Smith and The Keeper of the Key
Today I have one of my fellow Romance Writers of the Apocalypse authors as my special guest... Debra Smith :-)
Her new release looks wonderful! I am totally in love with this cover :-) Tell us what you think!
BlurbKate, an everyday book store owner, is thrown into a world of danger after receiving a letter from her deceased husband. She follows the clues into the arms of Xander, a tough guy she can’t stop herself from responding to. Her body ignites from a single glance, and she is unable to control her passions. Despite her love they are doomed to fail, because a human can never survive a vampire's hunger.
Xander admires the fiery temper of the seductive human he’s determined to help follow the dangerous trail her dead husband sent her on, ending in the mythical land of Shangri La. In an effort to save her, Xander bonds them together, sentencing her to death unless he can undo the blood tie. Though he craves her touch, he's forced to push her away while they battle their way to the chaos at the heart of Shangri La. Can he protect her from her family’s secrets and find a way to be together, or will their love be lost in the pits of a crumbling castle?
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Kate pushed her glasses up her nose and placed her new romance novel on the book store’s counter, careful to mark the page.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Katherine Collins?” The man scanned the small storefront. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Kate darted a glance at his embroidered name tag. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chip, how quaint.</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Yes, how can I help you, Chip?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“I have a delivery from Tom Collins dated for today. Could you show me some identification and please sign?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">She froze, not even daring to breathe. Kate felt the blood drain from her face. The scent of fresh-cut grass, the sound of deep laughter, and the sweet taste of fresh strawberries lingered in her thoughts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Miss, is everything all right?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Kate jumped with a start and blinked as her mind returned to the present.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">"I beg your pardon." Kate flushed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">His eyes filled with concern as he repeated his question.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Yes, everything’s fine.” Kate reached down behind the counter and retrieved her ID from her purse. She steadied her hand as she handed the man her license. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Thank you. Could you sign on the line at the bottom of the page?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">She nodded in a daze, the torrent of emotions cascading through her body too much to process.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Have a nice day, miss.” The man tipped his hat and offered a gentile smile.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“You too.” Her smile was a remembered politeness.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">The man walked out, and Kate stared at the envelope. She lied. Everything wasn’t fine. The package was from her husband Tom, and he had died a year ago.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Jenny, I need you to mind the register for a moment. I need to go to my office.” Kate called to her one employee stocking her new shipment of books for the store. Kate didn’t wait for a response as she walked to the back of her book store.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">The door emitted a soft click as it closed. She engaged the lock, not because she wasn’t sure of her safety, but to buy her time to calm her thoughts. Air rushed past her lips when she collapsed in her chair. The old clock hanging on the wall marked the time, while she took several deep breathes trying to appease her aching heart.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Tears fell down her cheeks. A fresh wound burned, raw on her heart. Maybe his death wasn’t behind her.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Tom,” she whispered as she caressed the envelope with trembling fingers. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Her heart pounded, while her hand ghosted to her desk drawer to retrieve her letter opener. Kate slid the silver tip in the corner of the envelope, relying on familiar routine instead of a steady hand. She winced at the harsh tearing of paper. She cautiously slid the contents on her desk and scrunched her eyebrows.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Two small things spilled out of the belly of the envelope. A delicate, silver necklace with a blue water lily pendant and a folded letter rested on the dark wood of her desk. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Kate reached forward and claimed one of the two confusing contents. Kate held the delicate lily between her fingers. The light glinted off the blue petals, causing her breath to hitch. Her fingers tingled while a dreamlike familiarity filled her heart. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Why would Tom send a necklace? Maybe the letter holds the answer.</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">She opened the folded pages, making the paper crinkle in protest. She took a moment to let the unshed tears clear from her eyes before she began.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">My Dearest Kate,</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">I’m sorry that I am no longer with you. I tried to protect you, but if you are reading this, I have failed. First, trust no one. What you are about to discover is dangerous. People will try to hurt you to gain the knowledge I have uncovered. The necklace is the key. You must hide it. We are not alone in this world. Forces of which you cannot possibly imagine will try to stop you. I know you had Great Expectations for our life, and I’m sorry I’m not there. You must find Xander. He can help you as he once helped me. Start at the Crossing, he should be there. Be careful. I have left clues for only your eyes. Be brave. I love you.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Forever Yours,</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Tom</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Kate folded up the letter, matching the creases exactly as Tom once had, and wiped the fresh tears from her cheeks. The whole thing was crazy. A letter from her dead husband, dire warnings, and tales of dark forces was too much to handle. She needed time to think. Heck, she needed a drink. Walking to the front of the store, she flipped the sign on the door to closed. Kate blew a slow stream of air past her lips.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Everything okay, boss? We aren’t supposed to close for another few hours.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“I’m just not feeling well. Let’s call it a day.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Jenny popped her strawberry bubble gum and jumped from the stool, eager to escape her boredom and have a life at least for the evening.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Okay, but I still get paid for the time, right?” Jenny asked while stuffing her fashion magazines in her oversized purse.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Sure, Jenny, of course.” Kate pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Cool . Thanks, Kate. See you tomorrow.” Jenny skipped to the door, the scent of her Lucky perfume temporarily muting the smell of books. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“See you tomorrow.” Kate sighed as her gaze drifted to her office.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Her heels tapped along the hardwood floor while she made her way to the front door. She clicked the deadbolt into place and scanned the cars and people in front of her shop. Nothing seemed unusual. Rubbing her hands up and down her arms, she returned her gaze to her office. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">She had a choice to make, and she needed to hide the necklace. Whatever was going on, it was important enough for Tom to come back to life, however briefly.</span><span lang="EN-US"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Click <a href="http://pinkpetalbooks.com/The-Keeper-..." target="_blank">HERE</a> to buy the book!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">*****</span><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Author Bio</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="wsite-text2"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I love romance of all kinds. I've been writing all my life and decided to follow my passion. Thanks to a loving husband and the chaos caused by my three wonderful children I find inspiration in all things. I grew up In Colorado but currently live in North Dakota. </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was never one of the people in high school that knew what they wanted to do in life. I was lost. I had things I enjoyed but never felt passionate about. The love of animals, travel, art, and creative writing seemed impossible to combine. So I drifted trying to find the thing that ignited a fire in my heart. Then not long ago I decided to finally tell everyone about the lives of the people in my head. Sounds completely crazy I know, but they felt real to me and much like the heroines of my stories I decided to fight for them. </span><br /><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Where can you find Debra?</span><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.debramichellesmith.com/" target="_blank">Website </a></span><a href="http://www.debramichellesmith.com/" target="_blank"> </a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://twitter.com/D_Smith_Author" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span><a href="https://twitter.com/D_Smith_Author" target="_blank"> </a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Debra.Michel..." target="_blank"> Facebook </a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/..." target="_blank">Goodreads </a></span></span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/..." target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/... </a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/... </a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><a href="http://debrams-myquestforlife.blogspo..." target="_blank">Blog</a></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com...' alt='' /></div>
Her new release looks wonderful! I am totally in love with this cover :-) Tell us what you think!
BlurbKate, an everyday book store owner, is thrown into a world of danger after receiving a letter from her deceased husband. She follows the clues into the arms of Xander, a tough guy she can’t stop herself from responding to. Her body ignites from a single glance, and she is unable to control her passions. Despite her love they are doomed to fail, because a human can never survive a vampire's hunger.Xander admires the fiery temper of the seductive human he’s determined to help follow the dangerous trail her dead husband sent her on, ending in the mythical land of Shangri La. In an effort to save her, Xander bonds them together, sentencing her to death unless he can undo the blood tie. Though he craves her touch, he's forced to push her away while they battle their way to the chaos at the heart of Shangri La. Can he protect her from her family’s secrets and find a way to be together, or will their love be lost in the pits of a crumbling castle?
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Kate pushed her glasses up her nose and placed her new romance novel on the book store’s counter, careful to mark the page.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Katherine Collins?” The man scanned the small storefront. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Kate darted a glance at his embroidered name tag. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chip, how quaint.</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Yes, how can I help you, Chip?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“I have a delivery from Tom Collins dated for today. Could you show me some identification and please sign?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">She froze, not even daring to breathe. Kate felt the blood drain from her face. The scent of fresh-cut grass, the sound of deep laughter, and the sweet taste of fresh strawberries lingered in her thoughts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Miss, is everything all right?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Kate jumped with a start and blinked as her mind returned to the present.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">"I beg your pardon." Kate flushed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">His eyes filled with concern as he repeated his question.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Yes, everything’s fine.” Kate reached down behind the counter and retrieved her ID from her purse. She steadied her hand as she handed the man her license. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Thank you. Could you sign on the line at the bottom of the page?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">She nodded in a daze, the torrent of emotions cascading through her body too much to process.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Have a nice day, miss.” The man tipped his hat and offered a gentile smile.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“You too.” Her smile was a remembered politeness.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">The man walked out, and Kate stared at the envelope. She lied. Everything wasn’t fine. The package was from her husband Tom, and he had died a year ago.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Jenny, I need you to mind the register for a moment. I need to go to my office.” Kate called to her one employee stocking her new shipment of books for the store. Kate didn’t wait for a response as she walked to the back of her book store.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">The door emitted a soft click as it closed. She engaged the lock, not because she wasn’t sure of her safety, but to buy her time to calm her thoughts. Air rushed past her lips when she collapsed in her chair. The old clock hanging on the wall marked the time, while she took several deep breathes trying to appease her aching heart.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Tears fell down her cheeks. A fresh wound burned, raw on her heart. Maybe his death wasn’t behind her.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Tom,” she whispered as she caressed the envelope with trembling fingers. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Her heart pounded, while her hand ghosted to her desk drawer to retrieve her letter opener. Kate slid the silver tip in the corner of the envelope, relying on familiar routine instead of a steady hand. She winced at the harsh tearing of paper. She cautiously slid the contents on her desk and scrunched her eyebrows.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Two small things spilled out of the belly of the envelope. A delicate, silver necklace with a blue water lily pendant and a folded letter rested on the dark wood of her desk. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Kate reached forward and claimed one of the two confusing contents. Kate held the delicate lily between her fingers. The light glinted off the blue petals, causing her breath to hitch. Her fingers tingled while a dreamlike familiarity filled her heart. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Why would Tom send a necklace? Maybe the letter holds the answer.</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">She opened the folded pages, making the paper crinkle in protest. She took a moment to let the unshed tears clear from her eyes before she began.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">My Dearest Kate,</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">I’m sorry that I am no longer with you. I tried to protect you, but if you are reading this, I have failed. First, trust no one. What you are about to discover is dangerous. People will try to hurt you to gain the knowledge I have uncovered. The necklace is the key. You must hide it. We are not alone in this world. Forces of which you cannot possibly imagine will try to stop you. I know you had Great Expectations for our life, and I’m sorry I’m not there. You must find Xander. He can help you as he once helped me. Start at the Crossing, he should be there. Be careful. I have left clues for only your eyes. Be brave. I love you.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Forever Yours,</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Tom</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Kate folded up the letter, matching the creases exactly as Tom once had, and wiped the fresh tears from her cheeks. The whole thing was crazy. A letter from her dead husband, dire warnings, and tales of dark forces was too much to handle. She needed time to think. Heck, she needed a drink. Walking to the front of the store, she flipped the sign on the door to closed. Kate blew a slow stream of air past her lips.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Everything okay, boss? We aren’t supposed to close for another few hours.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“I’m just not feeling well. Let’s call it a day.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Jenny popped her strawberry bubble gum and jumped from the stool, eager to escape her boredom and have a life at least for the evening.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Okay, but I still get paid for the time, right?” Jenny asked while stuffing her fashion magazines in her oversized purse.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Sure, Jenny, of course.” Kate pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Cool . Thanks, Kate. See you tomorrow.” Jenny skipped to the door, the scent of her Lucky perfume temporarily muting the smell of books. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“See you tomorrow.” Kate sighed as her gaze drifted to her office.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Her heels tapped along the hardwood floor while she made her way to the front door. She clicked the deadbolt into place and scanned the cars and people in front of her shop. Nothing seemed unusual. Rubbing her hands up and down her arms, she returned her gaze to her office. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Constantia; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">She had a choice to make, and she needed to hide the necklace. Whatever was going on, it was important enough for Tom to come back to life, however briefly.</span><span lang="EN-US"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Click <a href="http://pinkpetalbooks.com/The-Keeper-..." target="_blank">HERE</a> to buy the book!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">*****</span><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Author Bio</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="wsite-text2"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I love romance of all kinds. I've been writing all my life and decided to follow my passion. Thanks to a loving husband and the chaos caused by my three wonderful children I find inspiration in all things. I grew up In Colorado but currently live in North Dakota. </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was never one of the people in high school that knew what they wanted to do in life. I was lost. I had things I enjoyed but never felt passionate about. The love of animals, travel, art, and creative writing seemed impossible to combine. So I drifted trying to find the thing that ignited a fire in my heart. Then not long ago I decided to finally tell everyone about the lives of the people in my head. Sounds completely crazy I know, but they felt real to me and much like the heroines of my stories I decided to fight for them. </span><br /><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Where can you find Debra?</span><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.debramichellesmith.com/" target="_blank">Website </a></span><a href="http://www.debramichellesmith.com/" target="_blank"> </a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://twitter.com/D_Smith_Author" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span><a href="https://twitter.com/D_Smith_Author" target="_blank"> </a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Debra.Michel..." target="_blank"> Facebook </a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/..." target="_blank">Goodreads </a></span></span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/..." target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/... </a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/... </a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><a href="http://debrams-myquestforlife.blogspo..." target="_blank">Blog</a></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com...' alt='' /></div>
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