Guest Author Marie Lavender

My Extraordinary Moment?

In preparation for this article, I sat there thinking of all of the extraordinary moments in my entire life – winning a spelling bee, graduating high school and college, receiving my first book contract, seeing my books in print for the first time. And, of course, I can’t forget meeting my soul mate, the first time my fiancé told me he loved me or when he proposed. These are all extraordinary moments, moments that are overwhelming, that take your breath away.

Then I began to look deeper. Books have always held great meaning for me, just as an education means a lot to me. So, what could be equally extraordinary in that regard? Well, I think that the sensation of encountering a book for the first time can be extraordinary, a wondrous event. I’m not talking about text books in grade school, but any book that initially makes you stand back in awe. For me, I have to say it was the experience of browsing through my grandmother’s collection of books in her house. That house held great meaning for me as well because it was like a second home for all of us, and I miss my grandparents terribly. But, I digress.

I remember combing the stacks, my gaze skimming each title with amazement. It didn’t matter what the subject, those dusty volumes held my interest. There is just something about the sensation of a book in my hands that makes me feel on top of the world for some reason. The other great thing about reading is that you can immerse yourself in other realms. Stories play out on the page, and you feel at one with the characters. I know e-readers are the thing these days, but a physical book will always hold more value for me personally. That memory of looking through my grandmother’s book collection is dear to me because I can recall the colors, the textures, even the smell of not only the old books, but also the homey aroma of cookies baking nearby. Books, especially older books, will always remind me of that, and that freedom of reading is associated with it. Reading a book is extraordinary, and I hope it’s that way for everyone.

SECOND NATURE

She never expected it…

Desiree Edwards has a problem. She’s been attacked, kidnapped and forced to get along with a vampire of all things. It’s something right out of the story books she reads, or her worst nightmare. But, sometimes he’s not the monster he appears to be. He seems so humanlike that she can’t help it when her emotions betray her, when her body betrays her. To make matters worse, she finds out more about herself than she ever wanted to know.

She was unlike any other…

Alec has a problem. The animal in him wants Desiree. But, so does the man. The more he learns about her, the harder it is to deny what he wants. But, he’s a freak, and she’s just a human. The two species don’t mix that way. Then an old enemy surfaces and Alec is forced to make a choice. His life or hers.

Can Alec’s soul be saved by this unique human? Or will it be far too late?

Excerpt

She rose from her chair to step away from the desk when she heard a crashing sound. Her heart hammered inside her chest as she froze, tension in every muscle of her body. What the hell was that?

After a moment of uncertainty, she took hesitant steps toward the hallway. The crash had come from the adjoining bedroom. It was dark inside and instinctively, she reached for the light switch. When she flipped it up, the light didn’t come on, but a buzzing noise could be heard from the center of the room and she saw a tiny spark light in the darkness. Her eyes adjusted to it as she shouldered into the space.

She scanned the room expertly. The window was open and the flimsy white curtain blew freely in the night breeze, creating an eerie vibe. She shivered. She hadn’t left the window open before settling in to work for the night. She remembered latching it and checking the lock for security. She started toward the window but nearly tripped over an object in the dark. Desiree crouched down and felt around the carpet with her fingertips. Her hands met a length of metal and she laughed hoarsely as she righted the lamp, which had somehow fallen. Her hands scraped the edge of a broken bulb. It explained the noise she’d heard, but why was the window open?

She swallowed tightly and reached to latch it closed. As she began to put the curtain in place, though, a weird tingling swept through her body. Her movements stilled and her eyes widened. Down below on the street stood a dark figure silhouetted by a streetlamp, and he was staring up at her window, at her. Was it really a man? She couldn’t be sure. She couldn’t think straight either; she’d forgotten to breathe in those seconds. When the figure turned and headed down the street, Desiree breathed a long sigh of relief. What was happening? Who was that man? Was she being stalked? She closed her eyes. Had he been in her house?

She shook her head. There was no way he could have gotten in from a second-story window unless he’d climbed. That was a lot of trouble to go to, and didn’t most burglars wait until the occupant left the house to rob it? No, it had to have been a coincidence. Maybe she had left the window open and just didn’t remember.

There was something unsettling about the man in the street, though. A weird sensation that he was dangerous, yet somehow appealing, swept through her. She was being silly. He was a complete stranger. There was no way of knowing what sort of person he was. Her imagination was running away with her again…

ABOUT MARIE LAVENDER

Bestselling author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 19 other books. 2014 BTS Red Carpet Review Nominee. Finalist and Runner-up in the MARSocial’s Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader’s Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 50 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.

Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Marie has published twenty books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance/fantasy, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. Lavender just released Second Nature, a paranormal romance/urban fantasy, in December of 2014. She released Magick & Moonlight, a romantic fantasy, back in March of 2014. Upon Your Honor, released in late April of 2014, is her second historical romance. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series and The Blood at First Sight Series. Feel free to visit her website at http://marielavender.com/ for further information about her books and her life. Marie is also on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.

A list of her books and pen names are as follows:

Marie Lavender: Upon Your Return; Magick & Moonlight; Upon Your Honor; Second Nature

Erica Sutherhome: Hard to Get; Memories; A Hint of Scandal; Without You; Strange Heat; Terror in the Night; Haunted; Pursuit; Perfect Game; A Touch of Dawn; Ransom; Leather and Lace