"All Authors Blog Blitz"

Welcome Author - Stephanie Hurt

Where do you live?

Georgia (USA)

Do you have a favourite saying?

Well this is one I put in my blog all the time, “Everyone needs a little romance”.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing for over 30 years, but only decided to publish my work in 2012. Since May of 2012 I’ve published seven novels.

Where’s your favourite place to write?

In the swing on my front porch. I get a comfy pillow and prop my laptop on my legs. As I listen to the birds sing and feel the light breeze. It’s so inspiring and refreshing.

Do your personal experiences affect your writing?

Sometimes they do. If I’m having a really good day my writing reflects happy times and sometimes when I’m having a bad day that’s when I write the dramatic parts. It helps to be in the moment.

What is the name of your book?

For this blog I’m picking my favorite of all my books, “A Love Never Lost”. It’s available on Amazon, Smashwords.com, Allromanceebooks.com, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Diesel, Apple, Diesel and others.

Would you like to share the blurb?

Lilly has her life planned. Go to college, meet a wonderful man, and have children. Zane has a plan too and it includes Lilly, but he only realized that when he went off to college. Frustration fills him as he watches a new man in her life sweeping her away. One kiss tells him she feels the same way, but the new man has other plans. Will she choose the right man or go down the wrong path? 

Would you like to share an excerpt?

They reached the cabin just as the storm got closer. Zane put the horses in the shed and Lilly walked into the cabin. Outside the wind started to whip around the little cabin. She looked out the window and saw Zane running toward the cabin. The rain was starting to really come down.

He burst through the door, dripping wet. She laughed and handed him a towel she’d found in the cabinet. He wiped his face and hair. He walked over to look out the window beside her.

“It’s really coming up a good one now. I’m glad we didn’t get caught halfway. We wouldn’t have made it home in time.” He tossed the towel to the table.

Lilly turned to look at him and had to turn back to the window. The rain had plastered his shirt to him. She had a lump come up in her throat. What was wrong with her? She’d never felt this way about him. He was her best friend. She did not understand this new feeling. It was crazy. This was Zane.

He saw her when she turned away quickly. He suddenly realized how isolated they were here in the cabin during the storm. The wind was whistling through the old windows and they rattled with protest on the pressure. The rain was beating on the old tin roof. The sound was almost deafening, but calming in the same instance.

He looked back at Lilly. She had her back to him, but he didn’t miss when she shivered. He noticed that she was damp from the rain too. He reached out and put his arms around her to get her warm.

He realized his mistake when he looked down at her startled eyes. He felt his body respond to her nearness. She was holding herself stiffly as if afraid to move. He knew he needed to step away, but he was glued to the spot. He felt as if his whole life was made for this very moment.

She couldn’t move. Her whole body was reacting to him holding her so close. Her brain was getting fuzzy and she was having a hard time thinking clearly. She could hear the rain hitting the roof and the wind blowing outside, but it was muffled by the pounding of her heart. She could feel his heart where his chest was against her back. It was pounding as if in response to hers.

She had to turn and see his face. It was as if her life depended on it. She tried to reason with her brain, but no amount of common sense came through. She knew she would be lost if she saw what she thought she would see in his eyes.

She slowly turned in his arms. She heard his sudden intake of breath. She looked up into his eyes and saw what she had feared. He was feeling the same thing as her. His eyes were dark with desire. She had to get a grip, but that was past reasoning.

He looked down into her eyes. It was as though this moment was made for them. They were the only two people on earth. He ran his hands slowly up her arms and framed her face with his hands. He was holding his breath. He finally took in a cleansing breath.

He knew he had to kiss her. If he didn’t he would surely explode. He slowly lowered his lips to hers. She realized what was about to happen. This was wrong somehow this had to be wrong.

She pulled her head back and turned back toward the window. He just stood there. He was unable to move. He wanted to kiss her so badly. His whole body was vibrating with desire for her.

He turned her back toward him. She kept her eyes focused on his boots. He reached out and lifted her chin so that she was looking at him. He could see desire and confusion in her eyes.

“What’s happening here?” He asked the question, but he knew the answer.

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s the circumstances.” She tried to pull away but he held her steady. He leaned his forehead toward hers. They stood there for a moment just trying to breathe.

She put her hand on his chest. She could feel his heart beating wildly. She knew that he wanted to kiss her. She was so afraid that things would never be the same for them if they kissed. Her heart told her that it would never be the same if they didn’t kiss.

She slowly looked back up at him, her eyes going to his lips. He slowly lowered his lips to hers. This time she didn’t pull away. He kissed her and his heart soared. He felt like this was what he had waited for all his life. It was as if her lips were made for his. He turned his head slightly and tried to deepen the kiss.

She pulled back suddenly. Her heart was hammering in her chest. She couldn’t do this to their friendship. She wanted him so badly to deepen the kiss, but she knew things would never be the same.

“Lilly, what’s wrong? I know you want this too. I can see it in your eyes.” He looked at her and could see she was struggling.

“I can’t do this Zane. We can’t do this.” She turned and ran out the door. The rain had stopped. She jumped on Goldenrod and almost ran over Zane as she burst through the door.

He tried to grab her reins but they slipped out of his hands. “Lilly! Don’t leave, let’s talk about this.” He yelled to her fleeing back. He ran and got on his horse and tried to catch up with her. She was riding as though she was running from the devil himself.

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Avon Publishing Contributor

Grapevines and Gum Trees - Excerpt and Giveaway

As she moved to the lounge room, her mother’s voice carried down the hallway.  “I don’t believe it would be Jack.”

At the mention of the name, Isabella stopped walking, stayed out of sight, and listened.

“He has the opportunity.  Their property runs adjacent to ours,” her father remarked.

“But I haven’t seen Jack for years.  I hear he travels a lot for work.”

“Doesn’t mean he’s not responsible.”

Isabella heard footsteps and saw her mother move toward the large, bay window in the room.  “I don’t believe he would.  Not after all these years,” her mother declared, and Isabella moved back into the shadows.

“Have you forgotten what he threatened?”

There was a pause and then her mother said, “No, I haven’t forgotten.”

“Well, we know he has a reason to hate us.”

Another pause.  “What are you going to do, Giovanni?”

“If Joe doesn’t catch someone tonight, I’m going to the police,” he answered.

Her mother’s voice was barely audible.  “You do what you have to.”

Isabella stood silent for a few moments and then moved quietly to her room.  She lay on her bed and stared at the ceiling, pondering her parents’ conversation.  Jack?  Jack Cesario?  His family had the property next to theirs.  But why would he hate her parents?

She pulled the sheet over her and closed her eyes.  She hoped whoever was responsible for poisoning the vines would be caught soon.

In the morning, Isabella woke early, quickly dressed and made her way outside.  She wondered if Mr. Fiorina had caught anyone.

The bright glow of the sun peeking over the horizon brought her attention to the lush vineyard in front of her.  It still amazed her how spectacular it looked at daybreak.  She leaned against a verandah post and inhaled the fresh morning air.

Movement at the corner of her eye made her turn her head.  When someone walked out from between the rows, her heart skipped a beat.  She stood rooted to the spot as she looked the man over.

He had wide shoulders and a broad chest covered by a tight, tan-coloured t-shirt and wore faded blue jeans and brown boots.  He stood motionless and appeared not to have noticed her. 

His blonde hair was pushed back off his face making his perfect facial features evident.   

Suddenly, his gaze shifted, and a pair of astounding, electric-blue eyes stared at her.  She gasped for breath and held onto the verandah post for support. 

Once she found her voice, she rasped, “Who are you and what are you doing here?”

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Goodreads Book Giveaway

Grapevines and Gum Trees

by Jeanette Hornby

Giveaway ends July 31, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

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