Blog tour time!!! The lovely Giselle over Xpresso Book Tours is coordinating another one for me for the release of
Iris! Both
Captivate Me and
Iris will be reviewed by all the bloggers who sign up. See below for the banner in all its violet glory. Can't wait for September 1st!
Also, I've decided to throw out another crumb... ya know, since I love being generous and all. :) Keep on scrolling for an excerpt...
Love to all xoxo
SJ
***SPOILER ALERT!!! If you haven't read Captivate Me, the excerpt below will give a major plot point away!***
CHAPTER 5: Stories
Nothing. My books held
no promise of anything as far as an actual cure was concerned. I was hoping
since I’d spent most of my time over the years looking through other types of
potions and not ones for healing, I might have missed something. Sure, there was
a concoction to boost immune system functions –one I’d decided to go ahead and
make for Rose; it could only help – and to soothe a scratchy throat or remove a
wart. Nothing for cancer. I’d have to swallow my pride and ask the council for
access to the sacred library. Not my idea of fun.
My knees felt like I
had shoved ice picks into the tendons when I stood, blood flooding my legs with
tingles as the feeling returned. I’d sat with my legs crossed for way too long.
Fireflies danced
through the dark outside the window, but my mind was too mushy and distracted
to stop and appreciate them as I usually do. They were the only company I truly
liked to keep. I’d spent many nights watching them on our front porch during the
summers with a glass of wine. They were the perfect guests – entertaining, yet
silent.
Speaking of guests, I
no longer heard Kai and Lilliana in the dining room. It was safe to leave.
Turning the lights off
as I went, I made my way upstairs. The clock in the living room chimed twelve
times. Midnight. A thrill ran through me – a dark conjurer’s natural response
to this time of night. Something about the darkness in this hour; the quiet, haunting
sensation it gives off feeds our own inner darkness. It’s transcendent.
Before retiring into my
room, I checked on Rose. She was sleeping sound, much thanks to whatever Kai
had given her, I’m sure. I brushed a kiss on her forehead, a pleased groan
erupting inside her. She’d felt my presence, although she wasn’t fully
conscious. My sister… my wise, graceful, beautiful sister. I love you.
I then decided to check
on Lilliana, but I paused outside her door. A brief panic seized my heart. What
if she’d invited Kai to her room? What if he’d obliged? What if they…
“He’s downstairs in the
guest bedroom,” Claude whispered behind me.
I jumped. “And why
would I care?” I blurted out and unclenched my fists. My nails had carved pink
crescent moons into my palms. I turned to see him holding a basket of laundry
under his arm with a smirk that said “I know why you care.”
“Just thought I’d
share,” he said with a shrug and made his way to the laundry room.
As he toddled along, I
fantasized about what potion I’d use on him next.
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