Paranormal Romance Blog Hop 7/14/15

Soul of the Witch, Book 1 - Passage

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Passage - Blurb:

After a car accident, Courtney Veau has a “near death” experience, and returns to her past-life in the post-Civil War west. When she wakes in a present-day hospital, Courtney realizes she’s returned to her own hollow existence. Heartbroken, she knows she left behind not only a family she loves, but life with the man who shares her soul, a man she’ll love forever, Merril Shilo.

A carriage accident nearly takes beautiful Nichole Harris’s life, stealing her memories completely. Plagued by amnesia, she is confused by flashes of memory that are out of time with the world around her, and seem to belong to someone else. Only Nichole's own strong emotions remain to guide her—and as others try to take control of her life, she fights a desperate battle to survive. Merril Shilo is someone she should know, and though her memories fail her, she is stunned by her passion for him—and the remembered agony of a broken heart.

Merril Shilo is the love of Courtney’s life—no matter when that life might be. The memories and emotions of her life as ranch heiress Nichole Harris consume Courtney’s mind—and her heart. Courtney soon finds her desire for Merril threatens her sanity, as he beckons from a past she can no longer reach. Can she find the PASSAGE back to the soul-mate she left behind?

Passage - Excerpt:

Nichole trembled as she held the handkerchief to her face. She listened to Kevin's and the doctor's footsteps fade down the stairs. She was glad to be alone. It gave her time to think.

The loss of her memories, her life, set her adrift. With no perspective to reason through what she'd heard, she was trapped beneath a layer of confusion. One last visitor to meet, and she could rest. The pain in her head exhausted her, and she longed to close her eyes. Someone stepped into the room, and she lowered the handkerchief from her face.

A cowboy stood at the door and listened to something outside the room. This must be the younger brother, Merril. He was taller than Kevin, but carried the same muscular build and broad shoulders. His legs were long, and he was lean through his hips and waist. When he turned, she saw his faded blue shirt gaped open at the neck, exposing a portion of tanned chest. Dried blood clung to his neck-scarf and shoulder, and she knew with certainty the blood belonged to her. He wore denim trousers and boots, and lacked only a cowboy hat to complete his outfit. A gun belt hung low on his hip, the holster strapped tight to his leg. Her brow rose at the gun, and her puzzled gaze moved to his face.

Deep-set green eyes caught and held her own. A warm half-grin creased a dimple down his jaw line. “Hey, Nic. Doc said I should check on you.”

The sound of his soft voice left a trail of gooseflesh down her spine as her heart skipped a beat. The sudden crush of emotion was more than she could bear. She pressed her arm tight against the pain between her breasts, and her eyes filled with tears. She couldn't tear her gaze from his, and she couldn't speak, her breath had been knocked from her lungs.

His grin disappeared and he took a step toward her. “Nicki, are you alright? Should I call Doc?”

She shook her head as sparks crisscrossed her vision and she struggled to breathe through hiccupped sobs. “How do I…know you?” she managed to ask, her voice hoarse with accusation. “Why does it feel like…my heart is breaking?”

She lowered her forehead to her knees and struggled to contain a sob. His weight lowered the bed beside her. He lifted her onto his lap. Her body tucked tight to his chest as another sob struggled to escape the tightness in her throat.

“I'm sorry, Nicki,” Merril whispered into her hair.

“I don't know you—why do I feel these things? What's happening to me?”

“I don't know, Nic.” He brushed the curls from the side of her face. “You never told me this before. I didn't know you felt this way.”

Her lungs filled in short gasps, then her breath rushed out, along with her tears. She hurt all over from the fall. Her mind was broken. It terrified her. Unwanted shame and embarrassment poured out as she leaned against the solid comfort of his chest.

His arms held her close, but she wasn't imprisoned. She knew if she moved, he would release her, so she held perfectly still. “I can't marry your brother,” she sniffed.

He rubbed his hand down her back and rested his chin on the top of her head. “I know.”

The warmth of his hand felt good on her back. He kissed the top of her head and she let her eyes fall closed. “I'm scared.”

“Don't be, Nic. Everything's alright. You're safe.”