Years ago an editor said she would like to see a heroine from the past come forward in a time travel. I had enjoyed the time travels Maureen Child wrote as Kathleen Kane, so I thought I’d give paranormal a try. By the time I finished my manuscript, the editor had moved to another line, but OUT OF THE BLUE found a happy home at The Wild Rose Press.
Because Ireland is a favorite travel destination for my husband and me, an Irish heroine popped into my head. I wanted a nurturing heroine, so Deirdre Dougherty is an herbal healer and also a clairvoyant in 1845. Her mother died a week ago, and now a local bully has turned many of Deirdre’s neighbors against her. The bully, Eogan, blames Deirdre for the failure of the potato crop and incites others in their tiny, remote village to label her a witch. They set fire to Deirdre's cottage. She has been planning to leave and has her haversack packed, but she is spotted before she can escape. Her only escape is the sea, so she leaps off the cliff while praying for deliverance--and plops down OUT OF THE BLUE into a Texas lake over 165 years later. Is she ever confused. How can she convince Brendan and his mom she's from traveled through time when she can't believe it herself?
Who would be least likely to believe in clairvoyance and time travel? I decided a Texas police detective would scoff at either possibility. Perfect! I wanted to force Brendan Hunter to grasp that there are more things in heaven and on earth than man can understand. Why not lead him a traumatic chase? He is already on medical leave while he recovers from wounds received from a drive-by that killed his partner and best friend. He certainly doesn’t need a crazy woman claiming to be from the past. Or, does he?
Confidentially, just between us two, my favorite character is Brendan’s mom, Blossom Hunter. She was a late-blooming hippie who lived in a commune turned cooperative farm in California. The farm is where she met Brendan’s dad, but that's a long story. Now bubbly, optimistic Blossom owns a health food store, which makes her sort of a modern version of Deirdre. The two women become good friends immediately. Of course, Brendan thinks he has to protect his mom from this psycho who plopped OUT OF THE BLUE beside his bass boat and claims she is from another time and has visions.
Together, Deirdre and Brendan discover who tried to kill him, who killed his partner, and who framed Brendan for theft and murder. Two of my favorite places are Ireland and Texas. Combining them in OUT OF THE BLUE made me happy. I hope reading my effort makes you happy, too. If it does, please post a review on Amazon. If you don't like my book, then--shhhhh--let's keep it our secret, okay?
Here’s an excerpt after Deirdre is almost kidnapped by two killers. The men told her what they’d do when she was their prisoner before they killed her. When Brendan’s appearance thwarted their attempt, the men promised to return and carry out their threats. Deirdre is still frightened even after Brendan takes her to Blossom’s home, where Deirdre is staying. Brendan's staying there, too, since the little incident at his townhouse. Oh, yeah, that's a long story, too:
She pulled his shirt loose from his slacks. “I know you’re an honorable man who doesn’t dally with women like me, but I must insist on this.”
“There are no other women like you.” He took a step back. “Deirdre, stop and think what you’re asking. It’s not a small thing.”
She took his hand and pulled him toward his room. “I’ve thought of nothing else since you saved me.” She offered him a slow smile, throwing her untried powers of seduction into it, feeble as her wiles might be. “In fact, I’ve thought of it since the day I came here.” They were in his room and she locked the door behind them.
He chuckled. “You mean after you learned I’m not really a demon?”
She stopped when they reached his bed. “Mmm, I’m not so sure you aren’t. You must be a wizard at least, else how did you enchant me with your spell?” She unbuttoned his shirt and slid her hands against his skin.
He caught her wrists. “Deirdre, you don’t know what you’re doing. There’s no going back from this once we’ve been together. Some things can’t be undone.”
“I may not know exactly how this works, but sure and I’m a quick learner. Everyone says so.” She shoved him hard and he fell backward on the bed. While the surprise was still on her side, she pounced beside him. “Is this the way?” She leaned down and kissed him.
His lips were sweet as honey cakes. His arms slid around her and he returned her kiss. When she parted her mouth for him, he rolled so he was over her, never taking his lips from hers.
She realized he knew a lot about lovemaking. At first it annoyed her to think of him like this with other women. But she decided it best that one of them knew how to proceed. Understanding how coupling worked was not the same as experience.
His hands caressed her and before she knew it, she was out of her blouse and the confining bra. He kissed along her jaw, then to her neck and then—Blessed Saints!—he kissed her breast. She moaned with pleasure as he pulled the peak into his mouth and suckled. Heat built in her private place and she felt moisture gather there.
Heaven could be no more glorious than this moment. Or so she thought. Then he slid his hand between her legs and slowly up to where her thighs met. When his finger dipped inside her, she gasped.
His finger moved in and out with the same timing as his tongue against her peaked nipple. Heat inside her flamed hotter and hotter until she feared she’d melt. As if by their own free will, her hips moved to meet his delving finger. Great power gathered in her, threatening to burst free. She feared she might expire from the passion. Instead, the ecstasy inside her exploded and showered her with a million stars.
She cried, “Sweet mercy, Brendan, I never knew.” Then she melted against the pillow and sheets.
He raised his head to meet her gaze. His eyes were dark with passion, his face flushed with desire. “Are you ready for more?”
“More. Yes, more.” Deirdre said.
Brendan gathered his willpower and made one more try. “Honey, we haven’t...gone too far to stop now. Any more and I won’t be able to—“
She placed her fingers on his mouth. “Please, Brendan. Even if you don’t care for me as a lover and never want me again, let me have this now.”
How could he resist that plea? Especially when she asked what he desperately needed. “You know I care for you.” He tugged his belt loose and kicked off his jeans and shoes. He was rock hard and tented his briefs.
She gasped. “Oh, my.”
He figured she’d be scared off and braced himself for her change of mind. Lord, he didn’t think he could bear it if she halted their lovemaking.
OUT OF THE BLUE is available in print and e-book at The Wild Rose Press www.thewildrosepress.com/caroline-clemmons-m-638.html
Amazon buy link is http://www.amazon.com/Out-Blue-Caroline-Clemmons/dp/1601547447/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321377205&sr=1-11
Thanks for stopping by!
Because Ireland is a favorite travel destination for my husband and me, an Irish heroine popped into my head. I wanted a nurturing heroine, so Deirdre Dougherty is an herbal healer and also a clairvoyant in 1845. Her mother died a week ago, and now a local bully has turned many of Deirdre’s neighbors against her. The bully, Eogan, blames Deirdre for the failure of the potato crop and incites others in their tiny, remote village to label her a witch. They set fire to Deirdre's cottage. She has been planning to leave and has her haversack packed, but she is spotted before she can escape. Her only escape is the sea, so she leaps off the cliff while praying for deliverance--and plops down OUT OF THE BLUE into a Texas lake over 165 years later. Is she ever confused. How can she convince Brendan and his mom she's from traveled through time when she can't believe it herself?
 |
| Brendan in front of his townhouse |
Confidentially, just between us two, my favorite character is Brendan’s mom, Blossom Hunter. She was a late-blooming hippie who lived in a commune turned cooperative farm in California. The farm is where she met Brendan’s dad, but that's a long story. Now bubbly, optimistic Blossom owns a health food store, which makes her sort of a modern version of Deirdre. The two women become good friends immediately. Of course, Brendan thinks he has to protect his mom from this psycho who plopped OUT OF THE BLUE beside his bass boat and claims she is from another time and has visions.
 |
| Deirdre |
Together, Deirdre and Brendan discover who tried to kill him, who killed his partner, and who framed Brendan for theft and murder. Two of my favorite places are Ireland and Texas. Combining them in OUT OF THE BLUE made me happy. I hope reading my effort makes you happy, too. If it does, please post a review on Amazon. If you don't like my book, then--shhhhh--let's keep it our secret, okay?
Here’s an excerpt after Deirdre is almost kidnapped by two killers. The men told her what they’d do when she was their prisoner before they killed her. When Brendan’s appearance thwarted their attempt, the men promised to return and carry out their threats. Deirdre is still frightened even after Brendan takes her to Blossom’s home, where Deirdre is staying. Brendan's staying there, too, since the little incident at his townhouse. Oh, yeah, that's a long story, too:
She pulled his shirt loose from his slacks. “I know you’re an honorable man who doesn’t dally with women like me, but I must insist on this.”
“There are no other women like you.” He took a step back. “Deirdre, stop and think what you’re asking. It’s not a small thing.”
She took his hand and pulled him toward his room. “I’ve thought of nothing else since you saved me.” She offered him a slow smile, throwing her untried powers of seduction into it, feeble as her wiles might be. “In fact, I’ve thought of it since the day I came here.” They were in his room and she locked the door behind them.
He chuckled. “You mean after you learned I’m not really a demon?”
She stopped when they reached his bed. “Mmm, I’m not so sure you aren’t. You must be a wizard at least, else how did you enchant me with your spell?” She unbuttoned his shirt and slid her hands against his skin.
He caught her wrists. “Deirdre, you don’t know what you’re doing. There’s no going back from this once we’ve been together. Some things can’t be undone.”
“I may not know exactly how this works, but sure and I’m a quick learner. Everyone says so.” She shoved him hard and he fell backward on the bed. While the surprise was still on her side, she pounced beside him. “Is this the way?” She leaned down and kissed him.
His lips were sweet as honey cakes. His arms slid around her and he returned her kiss. When she parted her mouth for him, he rolled so he was over her, never taking his lips from hers.
She realized he knew a lot about lovemaking. At first it annoyed her to think of him like this with other women. But she decided it best that one of them knew how to proceed. Understanding how coupling worked was not the same as experience.
His hands caressed her and before she knew it, she was out of her blouse and the confining bra. He kissed along her jaw, then to her neck and then—Blessed Saints!—he kissed her breast. She moaned with pleasure as he pulled the peak into his mouth and suckled. Heat built in her private place and she felt moisture gather there.
Heaven could be no more glorious than this moment. Or so she thought. Then he slid his hand between her legs and slowly up to where her thighs met. When his finger dipped inside her, she gasped.
His finger moved in and out with the same timing as his tongue against her peaked nipple. Heat inside her flamed hotter and hotter until she feared she’d melt. As if by their own free will, her hips moved to meet his delving finger. Great power gathered in her, threatening to burst free. She feared she might expire from the passion. Instead, the ecstasy inside her exploded and showered her with a million stars.
She cried, “Sweet mercy, Brendan, I never knew.” Then she melted against the pillow and sheets.
He raised his head to meet her gaze. His eyes were dark with passion, his face flushed with desire. “Are you ready for more?”
“More. Yes, more.” Deirdre said.
Brendan gathered his willpower and made one more try. “Honey, we haven’t...gone too far to stop now. Any more and I won’t be able to—“
She placed her fingers on his mouth. “Please, Brendan. Even if you don’t care for me as a lover and never want me again, let me have this now.”
How could he resist that plea? Especially when she asked what he desperately needed. “You know I care for you.” He tugged his belt loose and kicked off his jeans and shoes. He was rock hard and tented his briefs.
She gasped. “Oh, my.”
He figured she’d be scared off and braced himself for her change of mind. Lord, he didn’t think he could bear it if she halted their lovemaking.
OUT OF THE BLUE is available in print and e-book at The Wild Rose Press www.thewildrosepress.com/caroline-clemmons-m-638.html
Amazon buy link is http://www.amazon.com/Out-Blue-Caroline-Clemmons/dp/1601547447/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321377205&sr=1-11
Thanks for stopping by!
1 comment:
Caroline this book sounds really good. Going to be very interesting with a herbal healer-clairvoyant, time travel, and a hunky detective.
Sue B
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