Welcome back to Jenna’s Snippet Sundays. In lieu of a blog hop, there’s just me with snippets from my current release or hopefully my next WIP.
Last week I ended up posting on Monday, but I’m back on track today, eager to share my favorite ghost story with you for October!
Today I’m continuing snippets from my little Halloween short story, Hearts at All Hallow’s Eve.
BLURB:
When Miss Cecilia Powell attends her very first masquerade on All Hallows’ Eve, she’s thrilled when a mysterious reveler pays court to her. As their encounter continues, Cecilia is charmed, then smitten with this masked stranger, even though she senses something odd about him. Is he truly the man of her dreams, or will Cecilia find her dream a true nightmare?
EXCERPT:
Oh, how she looked forward to the unmasking! Wrack her brain though she might, she could not fathom who this charming gentleman could be. Soon, however, she would know. And knowing could make all the difference in her life. Had she met him years ago, when she was still in the schoolroom, at her parents’ country estate, and merely forgotten? If so, she would not forget him again. Every touch of his hand sent a thrill shivering through her. Could this be the man she’d dreamed of meeting during her Season?
In a swirl of black, he led her onto the floor, took her into his arms, and the ballroom dissolved around her. All she could see were his glittering mask and the eyes behind it, intent on her face. Her body followed him instinctively as they swooped and swirled around the dance floor, the dark decor seeming to enfold them in a warm, velvety embrace. All she remained aware of was the strong clasp of his hands, one in her own, the other at her waist where it seemed to burn through to her skin. The whirling in her head could not be blamed solely on the waltz. Their closeness made her giddy with joy.
Could he be the one? The man she’d longed for all her life? She had danced, and conversed, and flirted with other men, and none of them had ever made her feel so happy or protected. True, she did not recognize him, might not be acquainted with him, yet a feeling deep inside whispered that he could be the one. Mama had told her that when she met the right man, she’d know. If they secured Papa’s consent to his suit, she’d soon find out for sure. The man— she could not wait to find out his name—would want to court her formally, wouldn’t he? Why else would he gaze at her as if she were his hope of Heaven?
Skillfully, he led her around the ballroom floor, and she was so light on her feet she scarcely touched the boards. Only one other man had ever danced so beautifully. He was gone, but could this be his brother, perhaps?
Laughing up into his face as he spun them around, Cecilia bubbled with joy at her discovery. He knew her; now she knew him.
If you want more right now, you can grab Hearts at All Hallow’s Eve on Amazon for just .99 or in KU.
And fellow author from Weekend Writing Warriors, Carrie Anne Brownian, has put up a snippet from one of her works here. You should go check her out as well, especially if you enjoy historical fiction.
