Secrets of a Hart
Five years ago, Kendall Hart’s life changed forever. A tragedy
forced her to grow up fast and become a responsible adult overnight while her
friends were still enjoying high school. She lives and breathes work leaving no
time for a social life and her circle of friends is small. She has no room for
complications in her life…then Tristan walks in.
Tristan O’Neal is forced to return home when his father becomes terminally ill.
Taking care of his parents, dealing with an irresponsible brother, and starting
a new job bring challenges to his life. Starting a relationship is the last
thing on his mind but when sees Kendall, he finds himself drawn to her...she is
so familiar.
Tristan is what Kendall has always wanted but life isn’t always fair. Sometimes
you have to let go of the one person you’ve always loved in order to protect
them. Will Tristan be able to break through the wall she’s built around her
heart or will Kendall’s secrets consume her and destroy their chance at a life
together?
Excerpt:
I heard the sirens wailing as I came through the
woods. My heart beat a little faster as I realized they were headed toward my
end of the street. I sped up but stayed close to the edge of the woods so no
one would see me. I certainly didn’t need to get caught when I should’ve been
at home in bed. Suddenly, I caught a whiff of smoke and could hear the crackle
of fire. As I cleared the tree line, I could see the flames leaping toward the
sky and I instantly felt tears spring to my eyes. It was my house! I could
barely breathe as my heart hammered in my chest like thunder. Running toward
the house, I saw huge hoses snaking across the lawn all pointed toward the
upper bedroom windows. My eyes scanned the crowd of people lined up on the
sidewalk and I saw my neighbors but no one from my family. With legs feeling
like lead, I sprinted toward the back door but a fireman, who was rounding the
side of the house with an axe thrown across his shoulder, saw me and
intercepted my attempt to go in. I screamed but with no sound. Fighting him by
scratching and clawing, I managed to break free but soon another strong pair of
arms wrapped around me like a vise. Tears streaming down my face, I finally
managed to scream out, “My family! They’re in there! Help them!” I heard one of
the firemen call on his radio to alert the others about possible victims and
hearing that word caused me to collapse against the man holding me. There was a
buzzing in my ears, my tongue felt tingly, then I spiraled into darkness.
“Noooo!” I cried as I thrashed around in my bed, sweat
beading on my forehead, damp sheets tangling around my legs. It was that
nightmare again, inspired by my own horrible reality. I could feel every
emotion, smell every smell, just as if I was there that night almost five years
ago. My heart was pounding, my mouth dry as I lay there panting as if I’d just
run the same distance I did that night. With a trembling hand, I wiped my
tear-dampened cheeks then reached over to click on the lamp beside my bed to
chase away the darkness for at least a few minutes. After my eyes adjusted to
the brightness, I could see the tiny tattoo on my wrist. Laying back against my
pillow, I traced it with my finger remembering every moment of pain the day I’d
gotten it done. The pain I’d felt in my skin couldn’t erase the emptiness in my
heart but would be a constant reminder of my loss and guilt. Turning my head, I
glanced over at my nightstand and my eyes locked on the simple silver frame
that held the only salvageable photo of my family. A fireman had retrieved it
from the rubble. It was water-damaged and scorched on the edges but was the
most precious thing to me. It was the only physical proof they’d been alive
once and that we’d been a happy family.
Elizabeth James is the author of the Design Series. She writes
contemporary romance set in her native North Carolina. A life-long reader, she
began writing a novel at age fifteen, put it away with no hopes of publication,
but now has realized her dream as an adult. Inspired by several bestselling authors
she began working as a beta reader and her passion for writing once again
surfaced. She embarked on a journey to see if she could complete a novel and
Love by Design was born. With warm reception to her first novel she is now
making this crazy world a part of her life. Elizabeth believes you're never too
late in life to realize your dreams and this has opened up a new world of
adventures and meeting new people which she loves to do. Elizabeth lives in
North Carolina with her husband and their dogs. She enjoys traveling, exploring
North Carolina, and spending time with her friends.
Author links: www.facebook.com/elizabethjamesauthor
twitter: @ejamesauthor
No comments:
Post a Comment