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!
27 comments:
I like "Unforsaken!" Short and to the point!
I like all your choices, but if I had to choose one, I'd go with Before the Dawn
Are single word titles still the rage? I vote for Unforsaken. I like the sound of that for what I've read. Then again I like Forbidden but that one seems overused in historicals. :)
Unforsaken.
I go for Season of the Witch
Kat
I like Season of the Witch...just saying!
Oh my, the vote is split! Thanks for the imput and keep it coming, ladies!
First choice - Unforsaken.
runner up - Season of the Witch (because I used to love that song)
I enjoyed the excerpt, too!
Season of the Witch...and great excerpt. (P.s. my editors always give me titles although mine are often so much cooler LOL. Boo hoo.)
Unforsaken
Just my opinion. Good luck!
Salem's Hope is my choice. Oh wait! That wasn't on the list.
Unforsaken, yep, definitely Unforsaken. I usually have the title before I've written the first word. They aren't always excepted, though.
I like Season of the Witch but also Unforsaken.
Great excerpt! I too like Unforsaken, but have to agree with Margo--Salem;s Hope sounds fabulous. I'm not helping, huh?
Woohoo! Another vote for Salem's Hope!
Funny, funny, Margo. Looks like Unforsaken is in the lead. You did say you liked the idea of a one word title!
You've got me there. Guess I have to let you choose. It is your book!
The 1st 2 words of your description hit me as a good title: Haunting Visions or Haunted Visions. Still, it's your book. Sounds like a great book.
Wow, Diane, I like Haunted Visions. Oh Gees, not another one to choose from!
Not to make it worse but Haunted Visions and Salem's Hope catch my attention more that the others. But if it has to be from your list, Unforsaken would be the one. Best of luck with it.
Cheers!
Titles come to me the same way, Janine and I'm struggling with one now myself. So, I have to admit, reading the blurb I immediatly thought Visions' Brew. I guess I'm not helping either. Good luck.
Haunted Visions
Thanks to everyone who left opinions. Sounds like I'm down to three, one of which wasn't on the original list! LOL
Before The Dawn would get my vote, since it's a historical I'm not sure a one word title like 'unforsaken' would be right for a period historical.
I love Season of the Witch!
Hi Jannine,
I guess you have to ask yourself what the book is really about. Based on your blurb and excerpt, the titles "Seasons of the Witch", "Salem's Hope", and "Haunted Visions" tell me the most about what I can expect from the book.
My 2 cents,
Jana
Good points here. I think Season of the Witch stands out the most (those of us who are old remember the song,) which may equate to sales. Haunted Visions is probably the most accurate as far as plot goes. Salem's Hope has the draw of Salem in the title, but Megan's only hope is to get away from Salem. Unforsaken was the only one word title I could muster up, and it's a mouthful, but describes the idea that Nicholas won't give up on Megan. Before the Dawn is the most visually pleasing. The Darkest Hour describes the mood of the book - but no one but me likes it! LOL You can see why I'm torn. But the feedback has given me a lot to think about, so it is truly appreciated.
The Witching Hour
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