Ahhh, Picture Perfect. The year started out with a novella which was re-released from Ellora’s Cave on January 29th. This book is one two paranormals I’ve written, though for all of you who’ve asked, yes, I do have a story in mind for Deirdre.
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Blurb:
Conn Hennessey suffered nine hundred years trapped in a godforsaken painting. Halloween magic gives him one chance at freedom. With just twenty four hours to break the spell, by convincing the woman he loves they belong together, a day never seemed so short.
Dana Kavanagh wishes she were gullible enough to believe her sexy stranger’s story. He looks and acts like the man of her dreams but magic, time travel and a pissed off witch seem farfetched. Afraid of looking like a fool if it’s a hoax, can she live with the consequences if she’s wrong?
The clock is ticking…
Excerpt:
By reading any further, you are stating that you are at least 18 years of age. If you are under the age of 18, it is necessary to exit this site.
An Excerpt From: PICTURE PERFECT
Copyright © JAYNE RYLON, 2010
Prologue
Ireland, Twelfth century
“Do you love me?”
Conn peered down into the adoring eyes of the alluring young witch lying beside him on the forest floor, the light dappling her fair skin. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she recovered from their frolicking dash through the trees. Enchantment surrounded her, lounging on a bed of leaves, raven hair strewn about her delicate frame. A word away from her surrender, he refused to lie to her.
“Deirdre, I care for you.”
“But you don’t love me.” Though her eyes flashed with hurt, her tone reflected resignation. He honored their pact to settle for nothing less, despite the consequences.
“I’m sorry.” The words were soft but final. Conn let the regret and longing that ached inside him flow through his kiss.
It was goodbye.
Deirdre relaxed beneath him as though absorbing each scrap of emotion from the final contact. He retrieved his sword from the mossy ground, buckled it over his tunic and then swung a leg over the stallion waiting at the side of the clearing. “I never meant to hurt you.”
Rising in front of him, she blocked his path. The flowing silver gown draped around her. Its embroidered belt, which proclaimed her high rank, cinched her waist, emphasizing her figure as she spread her arms wide. Power crackled through the air as tears dripped from her midnight eyes and dropped silently to the forest floor.
“Conn.” The plea in her voice could not be mistaken. “I’m sorry also. Someday you’ll understand that true love means doing what’s right even at great personal cost.”
A sudden, unnatural heat enveloped Conn, starting with his legs and spreading up his torso. Panic accompanied it, causing him to struggle with a desperation reserved for survival. “Deirdre! What are you doing? Stop this!”
“Remember that I loved you.”
Chapter One
October 30th, Present day
A shrill ring burst from Dana Kavanagh’s pocket as she wrestled the bags of groceries onto the kitchen counter. After consulting the display of her cell, she rolled her eyes then flipped it open.
“Yes, Jenny, I still plan on going out with you tonight.”
“Dana, I’m so sorry but it looks like I’m going to have to work late.”
“Awesome!” Dana did a dorky happy dance as she eyed the carton of melting ice cream and the new book she’d just set down.
Jenny’s chuckle carried over the phone line. “Not so fast, you don’t get off the hook that easily.”
“It’s my birthday. Can’t I spend it however I want?” Dana groaned.
“No!” Jenny’s exasperation transferred over the phone. “A girl only turns thirty once, you have to do it with style.”
“Does ‘with style’ really mean ‘in a club, consuming a lot of alcohol’?” Somewhere loud and trendy would be par for the course with Jenny. Not that Dana disliked a night out on the town every now and then, but she didn’t feel the need to visit each bar in the city the way her best friend seemed to.
“And hot guys. Don’t forget the hot guys.”
“I hate to break it to you, Jenny, but I don’t know very many unattached hot guys.”
“Exactly why you need to get out more!”
Dana sighed. “Listen, I really do appreciate the thought. But lately I feel like hanging out at home. It’s not a national emergency, I’m just tired of meeting the same kind of man. I need a break. A change.” The metrosexual guys who worried about the caloric content of their fancy-named drinks and loved drama more than a housewife addicted to soap operas got old quick for Dana.
“Then I think you’re going to like my idea even more. I want you to come with me tomorrow night instead. There’s a private costume party for All Hallow’s Eve at my brother’s estate. It will be exclusive, sophisticated and more reserved than any club.”
“I don’t know, Jenny. I always feel out of place there.” Wealth and prestige seeped from the sprawling mansion and sculpted grounds. Even the sincere welcome of Jenny’s family couldn’t eclipse Dana’s unease. She might knock over a priceless vase or use the wrong fork at dinner. “Besides, I don’t have a costume.”
“I knew you were going to say that.” Jenny sounded smug. “And I know just what you should wear. The dress.”
“My grandmother’s dress?”
“Yes! You’ll look stunning. You can be a princess.”
Dana had to admit the idea held some appeal. The dress called to her. It looked like something straight out of a fairy tale. And when else could she wear it? What the hell, why not?
“Okay. I’ll do it, but you have to help me with my hair.”
“Deal! I’ve got to get back to work. I’ll be over around five tomorrow. Happy birthday!”
Question: If you could live in any time period, which would it be and why?
Check back at midnight for the announcement of all of today’s winners. Good luck!
Available at Amazon
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Available at Ellora’s Cave
Available at All Romance Ebooks
Jayne
www.jaynerylon.com
That books sounds really good. I think I just added it to my TBR pile! Have a Happy New Year.
Well I guess I’m boring but I like this time period. I like all of the modern advances with technology and personal hygeine. 🙂 lol The dresses from renesance (I’m sure I spelled that wrong sorry) are pretty but don’t look very comfy.
KittyKelly
kittykelly28 @ hotmail.com
I agree with Kelly. I like my creature comforts and toys, so the 21st century suits me just fine. But if I HAD to pick another time, I’d go with the 1800s. The wild, wild west, cowboys and marauding Indians. Such possibilities!
Great period to live in if u dad money. Can’t imagine how nice it woulndnt have been if u were in the lower class.
I would love to live in the 1800’s, there is just something so fascinating to me about corsets and the men heehee. But I definitely would want it Steampunked lol.
i would like to go to the 1900 early even if i was born in 56 i would like to go back futher i like the style of clothing and stlye of hair happey
new year
wow I want the middle ages to a point I think it would be fun but then there is I’m an outspoken woman with thoughts of my own. the 1800s would be nice and live with indans. (yummy) the early 1900 would be kind of cool. the the whole 50’s 60’s and 70’s looks like fun too.
I’d like to live in the 1920s-1930s, like it’s depicted in movies (sans depression), in a big city, with speakeasys and parties, and lots of opportunities.
As a fairly independent and outspoken woman, I doubt it would be fun to live in any time period prior to the 60s. I wouldn’t mind going back to then though, back when there was a sense of hope and a belief that we could change the world. Plus a chance to live through the best time period of the Internet LOL. But I’d only want to go back if I could take my iPad with me 🙂
I choose late medeviel Scotland. Denny’s choice is now.
Zina
Hi Jayne, happy new year!
Instead of going into the past, I would love to go into the future, say about 50 years, and take a peek at my kids and their families.
I wouldn’t mind *visiting* another time period, but I’m strangely accustomed to living in our own 🙂 I’m a little spoiled, and I like modern conveniences!
I would live in Egypt when the pharaohs ruled and the pyramids were built. Even as a child, I’ve been fasicinated with that time period.
Well if I could be a heroine in a book it would have to be in the regency era..love the clothes..to actually live there permenantly ehhh not so much.. i love my modern conveniences too much!lol
I think I would like to visit the future a hundred years from now to see what kind of new inventions there are and how we have solved some of the problems we now have.
Love the excerpt for Picture Perfect. Another book for my TBR pile 8D,
If I could I’d like to visit the future to see what humans have evolved into and what they’ve invented because I’m always curious about new technology.
Mindy 🙂
Birdsooong@aol.com
I’m with Tracey D and Egypt. There is just so majestic and romantic in my mind when I think of Egypt back in the day.
I kinda like my time period now. I really like my every day comforts
The 1800’s lol just because i like the dresses that they had to wear lol
hummmm lol i would have to agree with patti lol i loved the way that they dressed in the 1800’s lol i thought that the dresses were awsome looking lol
ok i think that it would be neat to be in the cavemen time line lol get to see all the dinos lol
I would love to have lived in Victorian London, and would like to have captured Jack the Ripper.That case has an ongoing fascination for me, and I have been writing about it off and on for over ten years.
Yeah I agree, I don’t think I could live without my laptop or e-reader! so I would have to stay right here and now!
I agree with most people here I luv my toys and frills from now but the outfits from the past intrigue me the most.
Sometimes i think i’d like to try out the old West. I know my husband thinks that’s where he might belong lol I would also like to like the highlanders in historical novels although i bet it’s not as romantic as it seems in books.
Lisa B
I Think I would have liked to live in the 1800 in the old west….I would have been one of the tuff cowgirls!! Not taking anything from a man!
I’ve been reading this book and loving it so far. I couldn’t pick another time period than this one for me. I’m a creature of comforts. 🙂