It’s here, it’s here! I’m thrilled to announce The Redemption of Micah is now available from Kensington Brava. I’ve posted three excerpts yesterday on my blog for your reading pleasure!

“The characters are both flawed human beings, but they’re wonderfully endearing. The fast-paced story touches the heart.” ~ Romantic Times Book Reviews, 4 Stars

“…an exciting historical romance starring two strong but flawed lead characters and a strong support cast…Fans will enjoy this entertaining profound historical tale in which a Miracle is the only hope for this family to come together.” ~ Harriet Klausner

“I cannot deny Beth Williamson’s gift as an excellent historical fiction writer. She has a way of drawing the reader in, immersing you within the post-Civil war era…” ~ Two Lips Reviews

To celebrate, I’m hanging out today with Leah Braemel on her blog. Come on by and say howdy!

And now for one last excerpt today, this is a glimpse into the darkness that permeates Micah’s soul, the beast that lies within and he cannot seem to escape.

Excerpt #3:

Micah held up one hand and Eppie waited for him to catch his breath. In a few moments, he blew out a breath and met her gaze.

“I’ve spent the last few years hoping I’d see you open your eyes again, and when you did, I reminded myself be happy even if you didn’t remember me. Then when you came into my arms, God I couldn’t believe how amazing it was. I could only pray you would be there again. And you were.” His smile was so bright it made her smile in return. “I waited so long to tell you I love you, I can hardly believe it’s finally now.”

Eppie’s heart leapt with joy. “It’s now, with the help of some guardian angels looking out for us.”

He rubbed a hand down his face. “I feel like I’m dreaming, darlin’, and I hope like hell I’m not going to wake up soon.” What sounded like a sob burse from his throat. “Irony is something I never expected to come full circle. I don’t deserve this, but that doesn’t mean I won’t grab onto it with both hands.”

Eppie slid down to the floor and knelt beside him, more than concerned about Micah. “Everyone deserves loves, a chance at happiness.”

His laugh sent a chill up her spine and a coil of dread settled in her belly. “I am the last person on earth who deserves love or happiness. I’ve done so many things to put my ass straight in hell, I deserve nothing but misery and eternal damnation.”

The most frightening thing about his speech was she could see in his eyes that he meant every word of it. Micah firmly believed he was not only damned, but there was no force that could change his fate. Eppie vowed to prove him wrong, come hell or high water. She almost laughed at the image, considering it was the high water that had brought them to the cabin in the first place.

“Tell me,” she commanded softly.

“I can’t. You see if I let them out, I might not get them back in.” Ancient dark shadows lurked behind his gaze, so sharp and deadly, Eppie wanted to move away.

But she didn’t. Instead she took his cold hands in hers and settled at his side.

“Tell me.” This time she was more forceful, determined to ferret out what haunted the man she had come to love.

He blew out a long sigh. “I wouldn’t know where to begin.”

“Start where you grew up. If you told me any stories, I’ve forgotten them.” She smiled. “I’m like a sieve that way.”

Her silly joke made the corner of his mouth kick up. “I grew up in Virginia on a big tobacco plantation. My grandfather had been a bastard who knew how to make money on the backs of others, and I gladly sat up there with him, eating, drinking and whoring from the time I was fourteen.”

She wanted to say something about a fourteen year old whoring, but kept quiet, silently urging him to continue.

“I had four good friends from similar backgrounds and we spent our time doing whatever we felt like. I never worked a day in my life those wonder years, never had to even lift a finger to dress myself.” He shook his head. “Shallow, empty-headed son of a bitch. If you had known me back then, you would have hated me.”
The self-hate was evident in everything from his posture to his tone, but Eppie didn’t succumb to it. She squeezed his hand, giving him the encouragement of her love.

“When the war began, I was just twenty-one, so stupid and foolish, I assumed I’d be given a command and be home within a month, perhaps two. It gave us an excuse to go to Maryland find new whores to play with.” He clenched her hands so hard, the bones smashed up against each other. “I didn’t know, you see, how wrong I was about everything, about life and how much I deserved. I was put in an infantry unit beside gap-toothed morons who likely were born from years of careful inbreeding.”

In that moment, Eppie heard the spoiled Virginia plantation owner, the man who Micah hated, but who also apparently lurked beneath the surface of the twisted soul he’d become.

“I was muddy, cold, tired and miserable every second of every day. I complained mercilessly until the captain threatened to hang me if I didn’t shut up. He whipped me in front of the squad, in front of the regiment’s major. My friends turned their backs and pretended not to know me.” His body had heated as he spoke, and Eppie felt perspiration gathering on his skin. “From then on I was a ruthless soldier, killing without thought or remorse, anything to release the rage and frustration at where I was. My bloodletting caught the attention of a lieutenant in the regiment and he promoted me to sergeant and gave me my own squad to command.” His smile set off the warning bells in her head to run.

Eppie stayed put and swallowed the fear. This was who Micah was, and she had to love all of him, even his secrets.

“My squad became known as the Red Grays because of all the kills we claimed during raids and battles. I remember one boy who was so afraid he shit his pants right before he killed his first man. From then on, he had the same blood lust I did. That boy died a week before the war ended by his own hand.” He looked up into Eppie’s eyes and the ghosts of the war were clearly writhing in his memories. “I was left without a squad, without a friend, or even a goddamn pair of shoes. After four years of killing, I didn’t remember much else. They sent me home and when I got there”—he swallowed so hard she heard the gulp—“I wanted to go back to the war.”

***

http://www.bethwilliamson.com/books/the-redemption-of-micah/

And now for something else to whet your appetites… another excerpt from tomorrow’s release (squeeee!), The Redemption of Micah.

Excerpt #2:

He smiled and reached out to touch her cheek with the back of his hand. “The sunlight makes your skin glow. You know this is our spot?”

Eppie couldn’t help but be startled. “Our spot?”

“Where we met every week for almost a year.” He looked to the left to a group of aspen trees. “I’d bring that big blue blanket and we’d lie out under the stars. When I saw you came here, I can tell you my heart started beating a mile a minute. Maybe somewhere you do remember deep down.”

Eppie’s heart joined in and beat right along with his. Was he right? Could she remember things by instinct? She had no idea they’d met for a year before she was injured, but the fact that they were so different should have given her a clue their relationship wasn’t the normal type.

“Why did we meet here?”

He jerked a thumb towards the house. “You didn’t want Madeline to know. I always hoped it was because you weren’t embarrassed by me, but rather that you didn’t want to marry me since I’m a crazy hermit from the mountains.”

She shook her head in disbelief. “You’re a crazy hermit and you asked me to marry you and I said no?”

“Oh, you sure did. Let me see if I can remember your exact words. ‘I might love you, you crazy fool, but that don’t mean I am crazy enough to marry you. I ain’t got to this point in my life to marry the first man to ask me.’” He shrugged. “I’ve thought about that night for the last three years. It was the last time we, well, were together. I think it was the night Miracle was made.”

Eppie’s throat tightened and she knew a moment of panic. Had she spoken like that to him? Who was she to throw away a chance at happiness with a man who obviously loved her? She was already intimate with him, that couldn’t be debated, so why didn’t she want to marry him?

“I’m sorry if I hurt you.”

Micah chuckled, sounding like half-pain, half-amused. “Ah, Eppie, love can bring a mountain of hurt and an ocean of happiness. I accepted one and embraced the other.”

The silence between them stretched into an uncomfortable one. Eppie didn’t know what to say so she let the quiet continue until he finally spoke.

“What else did the doctor say?”

A safe topic, thank God. “He said I was in good health, but underweight and needed lots of fresh air and exercise. My muscles hurt because I haven’t used them in so long, but he also said someone had been caring for me by stretching them regularly. Was that you?”

“I did everything he told me too. I wanted to make sure you came back to me.” Micah’s simple explanation told her a great deal about his motivations, which were selfless and selfish at the same time.

“He’s going to consult with a few other doctors in New York and Chicago, then do some reading in a journal for doctors. I don’t know how much Madeline is paying him, but to be a doctor’s single patient is a bit odd. I told him I didn’t want to become an experiment.” She already felt as if she were on display and it would only get worse if he used her to study on.

“I won’t let that happen. I’ve kept you safe for three years, please let me continue.” His silver eyes glittered in the dappled sunlight and Eppie felt odd for a moment, as if the world tilted beneath her.

An image flashed through her mind of a younger Micah, with fuller cheeks and longer hair, smiling and tickling her nose with a feather. She yelped and scampered backwards, scared and unsettled.

“What is it? What happened?” Micah looked as worried as she felt.

“I think I just remembered you.”

If she had given him the keys to a golden city, he couldn’t have looked more thrilled as his eyes danced with joy. “Really?”

“I think so. It was here, only you were younger and you were tickling me.” She tried to swallow but her throat was so dry, she couldn’t.

“With a white feather?”

Eppie stared at him in astonishment. He’d confirmed what she had suspected. She’d remembered.

With a squeal she threw herself into his arms and lost herself in a tight embrace as they celebrated the minute taste of her previous life. Her heart beat so hard, it knocked against her ribs, and she felt the answering throb of his.

When she pulled back, she was close enough to count his eyelashes. His pupils had dilated and felt an answering arousal growing within her, whether or not she wanted it. Her body felt as if she’d been hit by lightening.

“Please.” He didn’t beg or take, just asked politely.

Eppie couldn’t refuse him, her body wouldn’t let her. She nodded and closed her eyes as his head lowered. This time the kiss was more intense because their bodies were touching. Her nipples pressed against his hard chest at the same time his hands roamed up and down her back. Sweet, sweet heavens, kissing Micah was like nibbling on the most decadent dessert.

She forgot where she was and what was around her. Diving into Micah was like diving into a pond on a hot day. It felt wonderful, exhilarating and exactly what she needed.

He leaned back and touched her cheek, rubbing his thumb along her cheek bone. She stared up at him, waiting and wanting, what she wasn’t sure. It could’ve been sex, it could’ve been confirmation she was desirable.

Of course, judging by the stick of wood in his pants currently pressing against her hip, Eppie was definitely desirable.

“I don’t want to rush you.”

She shook her head. “You’re not. This is my choice.” She swallowed the lump of fear and uncertainty. “Show me.”

He smiled then, a sweet, beautiful smile that lit up his whole face and Eppie knew then what he looked like when he wasn’t wallowing in the depths of misery. Micah was exceptionally handsome and for some reason, God decided to give him to her.

For the first time since she’d woken, Eppie took a chance on something other than what to wear or eat. She took a chance on Micah.

***

http://www.bethwilliamson.com/books/the-redemption-of-micah/

Okey dokey, folks! Here is the first of the excerpts for The Redemption of Micah. But first, le blurb…

ONCE UPON A TIME, THEY LOVED EACH OTHER

Nothing about the room that Eppie awakens in feels like home—not the furnishings, the ill-fitting clothes, or the Colorado sunlight streaming in through the windows. And certainly not the stranger with long dark hair and silver eyes who claims to have been waiting for her for three long years.

Micah Spalding has spent each day hoping that Eppie would open her eyes and return to him. Yet the Eppie he loved was spirited and outspoken—utterly different to this reserved, aloof woman. Since her injury, Eppie has no memory of Micah or their daughter, or of a passion that was powerful enough to defy every convention. And though his scent and touch trigger something deep within her, Eppie can’t bring herself to believe in him.

Once, when war between his countrymen had almost broken him, Eppie brought Micah back to life. Now he must find a way to reach through the distance between them and remind her of everything they once shared, and prove that he has belief enough for both of them…

Excerpt #1:

She didn’t know what she expected, but it wasn’t to find Micah sitting on a window seat, a bottle of whiskey in his hand. He’d removed his shirt and sat only in his trousers.

She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, as the scent of booze and despair washed over her. It appeared as though she was right—he did have a dark side that he hid in front of her and Miracle. The dark side should frighten her, but somehow, it didn’t. It drew her in.

“Micah?”

He didn’t move but a sigh bubbled to his lips. “Eppie, love, I made a mistake.”

The word “love” made a shiver crawl up her spine. It was the same as in her dreams, the same inflection and depth. Perhaps she’d been remembering rather than dreaming as suspected. Did that mean she and Micah had been intimate lovers? Had she truly been in love with this broken man?

The setting sun made a halo around him, making his light brown hair into a fiery mass of gold and orange. She couldn’t quite made out his expression, but no doubt it was as sad as the atmosphere in the room. As she stepped closer, she started to make out details, such as the scar on his left arm and the larger one on the right side of his chest. He appeared to be a mass of scars, both inside and out, although muscles criss-crossed his thin body, belaying the appearance of thinness.

“What mistake?”

He turned and smiled, relaxed for the first time since she’d opened her eyes. “I forgot why I didn’t drink.”

Eppie had been afraid she’d find him a sobbing mess, instead he seemed calm and approachable. It knocked her a bit sideways and she wasn’t sure what to do, so she sat down on the cream colored settee.

“And why didn’t you drink?”

Micah chuckled low in his throat and held up the bottle. “I never knew when to stop. You see, I started drinking to forget the memories that plagued me. Unfortunately I would drink too much and the I’d fall into nightmares of what I was trying to forget.”

She sorted through his confusing answer. “You mean, you wanted to forget, but you’d drink too much and end up having worse nightmares?”

He took a long tug from the bottle. She watched his throat work as he swallowed, as a drop trickled out the side of his mouth and down his chin. He obviously had a high tolerance for liquor because half the bottle was gone and she had a feeling he’d been the one to open it.

“Exactly.” He finally turned to look at her. His smile was sexy and did funny things to her. A low throb echoed through her lower body and whispers of her erotic dream floated through her mind. He was drunk and she was having sexual urges for him. What was wrong with her? It did not seem to be the right reaction, but as before, her body wasn’t listening to her head.

“So stop drinking.”

He held the bottle up to the light, the sun turning it to liquid gold. “If only it were that easy. You see, it becomes my mistress, my lover, my best friend.”

Eppie’s heart pinched at the thought and couldn’t explain why. “So what do you need me for? You can live your life and never need a wife.”

It sounded petulant to her ears, but it must’ve sounded very serious to him. He snapped his gaze to hers and all color drained from his handsome face.

“Don’t ever say that.” He jumped off the window seat and ran around to the settee, sliding on his knees until he reached her. Up close the scent of whiskey was so strong it made her eyes water. Underneath the booze, however, was another smell, one that was familiar. “You and Miracle are the reason I wake up each day. Without you I wouldn’t be here.”

He took her hand in his and she knew a moment of fear. She didn’t want to be the reason he woke up in the morning. It was too much responsibility for any one person to bear.

“Micah, that can’t be. I don’t even know you and I don’t think you know me.”

“Oh, I know you.” He cupped her cheek and brushed his thumb across her cheek.”I memorized every square inch of you from your toes to your crooked left ear. I know the lines in your palm, the beautiful sweep of your hip, the curve of your collar bone, the softness of your mouth. I know you.”

He lowered his head as Eppie’s body grew heated and the air charged so much it made the small hairs on her body stand up. His silver eyes glittered with many emotions, from arousal to sadness to despair.

She didn’t know him a week ago. She didn’t know herself a week ago. Eppie knew she should pull away, tell him to stop, push against him, do something.

Yet she didn’t, wouldn’t or couldn’t. She didn’t know which. All she knew was that she wanted to feel his lips against hers, to remember them or perhaps see if they were the same as the dream lover who had visited her.

His hovered over her as he gazed deep inside her, searching for something. Whatever it was, he must have seen what he was looking for because he let loose a whiskey-soaked sigh and finally lowered his head to hers.

Soft and gentle, his lips skimmed over hers like a butterfly sipping on a flower. He didn’t touch her anywhere else although her body leaned towards his, seeking his touch. She seemed to have no control over her reactions. Eppie wanted to turn and run, yet she knew deep down there was no way that would happen. It seemed her body remembered him after all, judging by the way she reacted.

He kissed her again, from one end of her lips to the other, sweet nibbling kisses that left her wanting more. Micah’s tongue snuck out and lapped at her, making her gasp. The sensation shot straight down her skin and spread through her, raising goosebumps and her nipples. She hadn’t been as aroused during her erotic nocturnal meanderings as she was at that moment.

To her mortification, a moan bubbled up in her throat and escaped.

Micah swallowed her moan and responded with one of his own. The sound went straight to her pussy. It started to throb in tune with her galloping heart. Eppie felt herself falling into a deep chasm of heat, arousal and animal urges. That scared the hell out of her.

***

http://www.bethwilliamson.com/books/the-redemption-of-micah/

Winner Day 14 – Fourteen Days of Fabulous!

Thanks to everyone who came by to celebrate my Fourteen Days of Fabulous contest. I’m going to post an excerpt or two over the next 24 hours as I count down to Micah’s release. *excited!*

Without further ado, the winner of Day 14 and the last autographed copy of The Redemption of Micah is…

Sandy M!!!

Congrats girl! You need to send me your snail mail addy and I’ll get the book out to you. Here’s a list of our winners so far:

Day 1: booklover1335
Day 2: Armenia
Day 3: Joy Brown
Day 4: Karen TN
Day 5: Fedora
Day 6: Alexa
Day 7: Melissa
Day 8: chey
Day 9: limecello
Day 10: Caffey
Day 11: Jane
Day 12: Maureen
Day 13: RachieG
Day 14: Sandy M

Keep posting y’all – there are two more copies up for grabs!

Welcome to Day 14 of the Fourteen Days of Fabulous contest! It’s hard to believe two weeks have already passed by. The last contest day and only TWO DAYS until Micah’s release! To make it perfect, I just got the cover flats for the third book in the series, The Stranger’s Secrets. This is Sarah’s story (you’ll get a glimpse of her in Micah’s story) – she’s Micah’s younger sister and her book releases in January.

Today’s post is about real life heroes and heroines. I think as writers we always draw inspiration from the people around us, the qualities in those we love that teach us to be better people. My hero is, and always will be, my Dad. He’s taught me so much by just doing what he does and being who he is. He dedicated himself to our family, always working a full-time job as well as side jobs on weekends and evenings. He did anything and everything he could for our family. He’s a wonderful bear of a guy and I’m tearing up just writing this.

Who’s your real life hero or heroine?

Okay, who’s up next? C’mon now, one lucky poster each day gets an autographed copy of The Redemption of Micah!

Winner Day 13 – Fourteen Days of Fabulous!

Thanks to everyone who came by to celebrate my Fourteen Days of Fabulous contest. The winner of Day 13 and an autographed copy of The Redemption of Micah is…

RachieG!!!

Congrats girl! You need to send me your snail mail addy and I’ll get the book out to you. Here’s a list of our winners so far:

Day 1: booklover1335
Day 2: Armenia
Day 3: Joy Brown
Day 4: Karen TN
Day 5: Fedora
Day 6: Alexa
Day 7: Melissa
Day 8: chey
Day 9: limecello
Day 10: Caffey
Day 11: Jane
Day 12: Maureen
Day 13: RachieG

Keep posting y’all – there are two more copies up for grabs!

Welcome to Day 12 of the Fourteen Days of Fabulous contest! TGIF y’all!

Today’s post is a bit brighter and fun. It’s Saturday y’all! Woohoo! I plan on writing and reading this weekend. Finally I don’t have a specific place to be or anything specific to do. I can’t tell you how good that feels. Tell me your favorite Saturday activity – any big plans for the day?

Okay, who’s up next? C’mon now, one lucky poster each day gets an autographed copy of The Redemption of Micah!

Winner Day 12 – Fourteen Days of Fabulous!

Thanks to everyone who came by to celebrate my Fourteen Days of Fabulous contest. The winner of Day 12 and an autographed copy of The Redemption of Micah is…

Maureen!!!

Congrats girl! You need to send me your snail mail addy and I’ll get the book out to you. Here’s a list of our winners so far:

Day 1: booklover1335
Day 2: Armenia
Day 3: Joy Brown
Day 4: Karen TN
Day 5: Fedora
Day 6: Alexa
Day 7: Melissa
Day 8: chey
Day 9: limecello
Day 10: Caffey
Day 11: Jane
Day 12: Maureen

Keep posting y’all – there are two more copies up for grabs!

Welcome to Day 12 of the Fourteen Days of Fabulous contest! TGIF y’all!

Today’s post could only be about Farah Fawcett and Michael Jackson – two icons who passed away yesterday on the same day. I was sad to hear about Farah – I used to want to look like her when I was a teenager and those teeth! Gads, so white and shiny. I can still see her running toward that Mustang Cobra on Charlie’s Angels. She was a strong woman and I had a great deal of respect for her.

And Michael – what can you say except he influenced the entire world from the time he was five years old. He changed the world y’all – how many people can say they did that? I was really shocked to hear about his death and think the world has lost a real cultural icon, even if he did dive into freakdom the last ten years or so.

Anyone have any favorite Farah or Michael moments to share? Or just thoughts for a Friday? :)

Okay, who’s up next? C’mon now, one lucky poster each day gets an autographed copy of The Redemption of Micah!