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My debut novel, Drawn into Darkness, is a paranormal romance. Dark, yes, but ultimately a romance. A strong bond develops between Rachel, the single mother with a troubled teen and Lachlan, the Soul Gatherer disguised as a priest-a bond neither one of them can deny, even though both have reasons to walk away.
Lachlan is well aware that there's no hope for a future with Rachel. But his attraction to her is immediate and visceral-and he can't help but offer his aid in protecting her daughter.
Rachel is struggling with many of the same challenges any one of us faces-making ends meet, keeping her job, raising her daughter. She has no idea that Lachlan is a Soul Gatherer. What she sees is a quietly confident, if somewhat enigmatic, man of the cloth. It's perfectly natural for her to seek him out when her daughter begins exhibiting strange behavior. But her failed marriage has left her leery, and Lachlan's disguise doesn't exactly set them up for success.
It says a lot for the compelling nature of a Scottish warrior that he's able to allay her fears and calm her doubts.
Excerpt:
His tongue drew a delicate pattern on her wrist. Combined with the heat of his hand seeping into her skin and the heady effect of his musky scent, she tingled-all over.
"Is it difficult?" he murmured.
"What?"
"Being the sole provider for your family, always having to be responsible, never being able to take more than a moment for yourself, even when you need it?"
Her breath caught.
"Sometimes," she whispered.
"Then take advantage of me, Rachel. I can't offer much, but I can offer this one afternoon. Let me take care of you. For a few short hours, let go. Lean on me."
The promise behind his words-a brief respite from being mother, employee, and chief decision maker, a brief opportunity to indulge herself without any worry-blew her away. She stared into his eyes and a huge weight lifted from her shoulders.
God help her, she did trust him. Despite what she'd discovered about him, despite her certainty that there were more unknowns lingering in those smoky, mystery-shrouded eyes, she didn't feel that he was trying to con her. He wasn't offering her the world, just one afternoon. And crazy or not, she trusted him to give it to her.
"Okay."
He smiled. "Good. Close your eyes."
"What?"
He threaded his fingers with hers and tugged her off balance, leaving her no choice but to fall against his solid strength. "Close your eyes."
If you're curious to find out what challenges Lachlan and Rachel face as they battle demons and take a shot at true love, I hope you'll pick up a copy of Drawn into Darkness. Thanks for joining me this week.
This is a stop on my "Cross into Darkness" blog tour, please visit www.annettemccleave.com for a chance to win the tour grand prize. If you've been following the tour from the beginning, here's the clue....
Penguin Blog clue: Contains a village famous for an ancient yew tree
--Annette McCleave
Drawn Into Darkness, A Soul Gatherer Novel, Annette McCleave, Paranormal Romance, books, Penguin Books
