Book of the Month
Twenty Authors, Twenty Days
Welcome to Sinclair Books. Today we are being joined by Author Jessica Chambers. Jessica has given us an exclusive excerpt from, Voices of the Waves. So sit back, have a cup of coffee and enjoy. Please remember to vote for, Voices of the Waves by Jessica Chambers on the poll to the right of this blog. You can join us at the Sinclair Books book group to talk about Voices of the Waves.
Title: Voices on the Waves
Author: Jessica Chambers
Genre: Women’s fiction
Price: $5.99 (publisher), $6.90 (Amazon US ), £4.21 (Amazon UK )
Buy links: Red Rose Publishing - Amazon Kindle U.S - Amazon Kindle U.K
When Faye Wakefield runs a competition offering nine lucky winners a two-week holiday at her beautiful farmhouse retreat in Cornwall , she promises an experience they will never forget. However, even Faye could not have imagined how bringing these people together would change their lives forever.
Just as she hoped, the competition yields a diverse mixture of characters. Among them are Leah Shaw, a shy young woman with troubled eyes, the womanising business tycoon Marcus Armitage, Karenza Jackson, ruled by her deep-rooted need for independence, retired nurse Bronwyn Davis, and Patrick O’Leary, an Irishman with an affiliation for the whisky bottle.
So begins a gently unfolding story of love and illicit affairs, heartbreak and self-discovery. Yet, as sparks fly and the guests share their long-suppressed secrets, only Faye knows of her ulterior motive for inviting them all under her roof.
Exclusive Excerpt
Propped on one elbow, Marcus studied Karenza in the amber glow of the bedside lamp. She seemed preoccupied, eyes half closed, expression dreamy. Though she had been as passionate as always, Marcus suspected part of her mind was somewhere else, somewhere he could not follow, and the knowledge aroused in him a childish jealousy.
Karenza’s eyes suddenly fluttered open to catch him staring. “What’s up?”
“Nothing. Just wondering what you’re thinking.”
“Ah. So this is you trying to show your sensitive side.”
“I resent that,” he said. “I’m an extremely sensitive soul. So what’s on your mind?”
“Not you, I’m afraid to say.” Karenza grinned, elbowing him in the side.
Marcus yelped. “Right, you’ve asked for it, you little savage.”
Seizing her around the middle, he tickled her until she squealed for mercy. Eventually, she broke free and Marcus fell back with a gasp as she clambered on top of him, fingers digging into his ribs. Then they were fighting in earnest. They rolled over and over on the bed in a confusion of tangled limbs, before finally collapsing amidst the rumpled sheets, breathless and shaking with laughter.
“Christ, Karenza,” Marcus said, pulling her closer. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
“What?” She nuzzled his collarbone. “Even though I’m a … what was it you called me? A savage?”
“Oh yes. That’s the thing I love most about you … your wildness.”
“You do talk rot.”
“No, I mean it,” he persisted. “I do love you.”
Karenza rolled her eyes. “Now you’re being ridiculous. Had too much wine at dinner, that’s your problem.”
“I did not! Why won’t you take me seriously? Look at me. Go on. Look into my eyes and tell me you don’t believe me.”
Marcus put up no resistance as Karenza wrenched herself free to study him. He merely met her narrowed gaze with defiance, knowing his expression blazed the truth for all to see. Any trace of the laughter of a moment ago had dissolved.
“Please tell me you’re not going to go all sentimental on me.” Karenza’s voice was placatory, as though reasoning with a difficult child. “This was supposed to be a bit of fun, remember? No strings attached. We agreed.”
“How was I to know how I’d end up feeling about you?” he demanded. “I may have many talents, Karenza, but predicting the future isn’t one of them. I didn’t ask to fall for you, but I have, and I can’t pretend otherwise. I love you, that’s all there is to it.”
“I do wish you’d stop saying that. They’re just words, Marcus. Empty, pointless words. They don’t mean anything. Hah! I’m betting you swore your undying devotion to Tiffany only a few days ago, and look how long that lasted.”
Marcus sat up, seizing her shoulders in a fierce grip. “I can’t believe you’re comparing my relationship with that … that bimbo with what I have with you. This is different, and you know it.”
“Is it?”
“Yes, it damned well is. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I’m crazy about you, Karenza. I can’t get enough of you. I feel more alive than I’ve felt in years.”
“Shut up.” Flinging his hands away, Karenza got out of bed. “I don’t want to hear anymore. You’re drunk. I’m going to bed.”
“Yeah, that’s right,” Marcus mocked. “Run away so you won’t have to face up to the truth. You can’t handle the fact that a man’s finally broken through your Little Miss Cool-and-Independent act. You see? You might pretend to be all self-sufficient and untouchable, but you don’t fool me one bit. Why can’t you just admit you love me and have done with it?”
“There’s no point talking to you when you’re in this mood.” Karenza retrieved her kimono without glancing at him. “And don’t bother looking for me until you’ve come to your senses.”
Then, in a swish of colorful silk, she was gone, leaving Marcus to gape at the closed door and wonder what in the world had hit him.
