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While
horseback riding in the English countryside, sisters, Electra and Emily Crippen
find themselves trapped in a tear in time. Thrown back to 1357 England and
caught by a local noble, they are in a place that is home but as frightening
and unfamiliar as an alien world would be. With no idea how the tear in time
came about, the one thing they do know is: they must stay together and stay
near to where the event took place in hopes of discovering the way back to
their modern life. That certain need to stay together is the first certainty
taken from them when one sister is forced to remain in England and one is sent
miles away to Wales by royal order.
There is
one other hope for help the sisters don’t know exists. It’s Electra’s lover,
Roger Marchand. A time traveler himself, he never told her of his past. When he
realizes what has happened to the sisters, he enlists the help of a scientist
friend to help him open the suspected passageway through time. Any effort to
save Electra and Emily will likely cost him his life. This was the time Roger
came from, a time when his country, France, was at war with England. If he is
discovered on English soil while searching for the sisters, he will either be
killed or taken prisoner of war. Any risk is worth saving the life of the woman
he loves.
"Just ahead. I have a
surprise set up," Roger said as he trotted toward Elysian Fields again.
He led them to an open field
where the sunlight was bright and the ground flat. The cafe staff had laid
everything out on a red and white checked tablecloth from the restaurant. A
platter held cheeses and fruit arranged around chunks of the baguette. The
champagne sat chilling in a silver bucket with two flutes at the side. He'd
share a flute with Electra.
“Damn,” he muttered, they’d
forgotten the flowers.
Everyone dismounted and tied the
horses to an oak tree with low hanging branches.
"It's lovely. You are such a
romantic," Electra said, kissing him on the cheek.
Emily gave him a sheepish look.
"Tell the truth, Roger. You planned for this to be enjoyed by just the two
of you. I'm the proverbial third wheel, aren't I?"
Only a lout with a complete lack
of chivalry would answer truthfully. "Don't be silly. What man..." he
tipped his head at her, "especially a Frenchman, wouldn't be delighted to
have two charming ladies at his side?"
"You're sweet to say
that," Emily said. "Is there some sort of all occasion book Frenchmen
work out of that tells them what to say to women? If not, you should consider
writing one. You'd make a fortune."
"Thank you—I think."
Electra turned to Emily.
"Want to pick some flowers?"
Emily nodded.
Electra emptied a wicker basket
that held honey and butter while Emily took the sharp meat knife from the
platter. "We'll be back in a flash," Electra said.
"Where are you going?"
"We passed a blanket of
wildflowers not far back. I thought we'd gather a bunch for our table."
"Where exactly is this spot
that's not far back?" He asked, anxious to pour the champagne and his
heart out and propose.
"By that granite
outcropping."
Roger reached for the basket.
"You can't go there. That's not Alex's land. It's part of the acreage he
donated to Dr. Gordon's group."
Electra held tight to the basket.
"So? It's not like Gordon is going to know we were there. What harm are we
causing picking a few flowers? None."
"His knowing is not the
point. It's the principle. You've no right to go traipsing about on his
property without permission." This was a thorny issue for him. In her
defense, Electra didn't know that. Over the years, Roger had had his share of
trespassers and poachers on his land. He'd never have given poachers permission
to cross his land, but the trespassers, had they asked, he'd have let cross.
"Since you're determined to
do this, hurry up and get away from there," he told Electra. "I'll
open the champagne and have a glass ready for you."
"We'll work double
fast," Emily added and the two jogged off.
He'd opened the champagne and was
in the process of pouring when Electra's panicked scream came from the spot
near the outcropping.
"Roger!"
He dropped the bottle and ran.
Gone. Both sisters were gone. The
basket with a handful of flowers inside lay on the ground.
"Electra," he called
out. "Emily."
He ran in a widening spiral
hoping to find them. When he didn't, he returned and checked the scattered
patches where the flowers grew for a clue. He looked for any sign someone had
come along and taken them by force. Perhaps one of Dr. Gordon's crew had
hustled them back to the trailer that served as their lab. Perhaps they
demanded an explanation for what the women were doing.
He was grasping at straws and
knew it. Anyone of the Gordon group could clearly see the women were picking
flowers. Taking them off to their camp was heavy-handed especially for a bunch
of scientists. Nor were there any footprints other than those left by Electra
and Emily's riding boots.
What the devil could've happened
to them? People don't just vanish without a clue.
He climbed to the top of the
outcropping called out again. Only the rustling of the breeze through the trees
and the low roll of thunder from the storm miles away could be heard.
I
was born and raised in Chicago. My father was a history professor and my mother
was, and is, a voracious reader. I grew up with a love of history and books.
My
parents also love traveling, a passion they passed onto me. I wanted to see the
places I read about, see the land and monuments from the time periods that
fascinated me. I’ve had the good fortune to travel extensively throughout
Europe, the Near East, and North Africa.
I
am a retired police detective. I spent twenty-five years in law enforcement
with two different agencies. My desire to write came in my early teens. After I
retired, I decided to pursue that dream. I write three different series. My
paranormal romance series is called, Knights in Time. My romantic thriller
series is Dangerous Waters. The newest is The Bloodstone Series. Each series
has a different setting and some cross time periods, which I find fun to write.
I
currently live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband and five wild and crazy
rescue dogs.
Great excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kim. It is a good shocker moment in the story.
DeleteChris
I want to thank Jen's Reading Obsession for the opportunity to showcase In Time For You. It is much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteChris
Exciting excerpt. I really liked it.
ReplyDeleteMomJane,
DeleteHi again!! I should have my trailer out either today or tomorrow. As soon as it is loaded on You Tube, it will be uploaded onto my FB page and my website. I'm really happy with it.
I have your email and will let you know.
Chris
Liked the excerpt very much. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteHi Sara,
ReplyDeleteThe trailer will be out this week. I am really happy with it.
Chris
Thank you, Sharon. The trailer will be out this week
ReplyDeleteCHris
When you are writing do you prefer to type or old school pen and paper?
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt, I enjoyed reading it! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDelete