This is my historical from hell, written, and rewritten more times than I can count over the last 20 odd years. But, I'm loving the final version, and I hope a publisher will, too. But I can hardly send it off without a title. So, here's the unofficial blurb:
Haunting visions have plagued Megan Pendrake her entire life, hints of the future... In 1692, Salem, Massachusetts is a hotbed of suspicion and persecution. When Megan and her brother flee England aboard a ship bound for the colonies, trouble looms. Though Megan knows to stay in Salem is courting disaster, her heart won't allow her to leave.
Nicholas Thayer is mesmerized by the beautiful, quirky young woman who came aboard his boat posing as a boy. But his future is predetermined, including a fiancee waiting for him at home. When Megan faces unimaginable peril, Nicholas must make the ultimate choice between family and faith and the woman he's grown to love.
And now an excerpt:
He reined the horse to a stop before her cabin but held firm when she tried to slide down. The moon rose above the trees, shedding soft light across the yard. Nicholas rested his cheek against her hair.
“I wish it had been me instead of Penny,” he whispered in her ear.
Her body quivered. “It was a careless thing to do.”
Need surged through him. “I want to kiss you, Megan. You can’t imagine how much.” His lips moved along her neck, caressing the smooth column. “Would it be so wrong?”
“Yes.” Her voice lacked conviction.
“It doesn’t feel wrong.” Longing held him in a vice and made him forget his convictions. When he stroked her cheek, her skin was soft beneath his fingers. Her warm body pressed against his.
“It feels right. Too right,” she said with a gasp.
He kissed her, his lips slanting over hers. Turning her more fully against him, he buried his fingers in her hair and drank her sweetness. The first kiss was followed by a second and a third. When the mare shifted beneath him, he forced himself to release her.
Megan pushed against him and slid to the ground. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
Moonlight gleamed on the white skin at the base of her neck as she stared down at her feet. He wanted to kiss the vulnerable patch, run his tongue along the angled jaw. Cursing softly, he squeezed his eyes closed. “I’m sorry. I wish…”
“So do I.”
Before he could answer, she ran across the porch and wrenched open the door. The solid thud of the door slamming echoed in the night. With a second curse, he wheeled his horse and galloped out of the clearing.
Here are my top four title choices:
Before the Dawn
Season of the Witch
The Darkest Hour
Unforsaken
Please leave me a comment with your favorite here or on Facebook. Thanks for your help!
