Title: ECHOES OF LOVE
Author: N. Christine Samuelson
Genre: Contemporary Romance (with elements of past lives)
Book Blurb:
What if the mysteries of your life began before you were born, and echo into your future?
Carson, an artist from Santa Fe moves to Montana to begin a new life. But an unexpected encounter brings her into conflict with Cody, an architect and ranch manager from Wyoming. The immediate power and beauty of their connection is as spectacular as the landscapes they walk through, but just as fated, unpredictable and complex.
Carson and Cody are haunted by their pasts with memories and repetition of tragedy and loss but also by great love that echoes through lifetimes into their present lives. Their futures are fated unless they face and conquer past mistakes and have the courage to live out their eternal bond of love. But how do they move forward after losses so devastating they believe love isn’t possible? What makes their lives worth living?
Their seemingly unresolvable conflicts span geography and time, from the tangible beauty of the American West through an elusive journey echoing over hundreds of years and two continents. Even with best intentions, nothing is guaranteed except one thing, and only they can discover it.
Praise for Echoes of Love:
“Another Amazing Book. Once again, this author has written a stunningly vivid and captivating book, stories intertwined with past, present and future. I love her use of dialogue and descriptors.” – Amazon reviewer
“A book that touches on … unfinished business, incomplete love and unfulfilled vows. Beautifully written and delivered; the imagery is very vivid. – Amazon reviewer
“Absolutely AMAZING! I don’t think I have ever got so worked up about a book before.” - Booksprout reviewer
“…an amazing book! The chemistry between the characters is off the hook! The storyline is amazing! I love it, I just love it!” – Amazon reviewer
Excerpt:
When Carson woke from her nap, the sun had begun its descent to the horizon, a fire blazed in the wood stove and Cody was nowhere to be seen. She got up, put her boots on, and half asleep, half panicked that he got scared and up and left, she looked for him. Racing to the front door, she found him sitting on the porch, chair tipped back on two legs, feet up on the railing, beer in hand and hat off, watching the sun go down. With great relief, she asked, “May I join you?”
“On one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You grab a couple beers on your way out.”
“Gosh, you are so demanding!”
“Yes, ma’am. We’re just alike that way, aren’t we?” he teased.
Carson smoothed the collar on his shirt allowing her fingertips to brush his neck, then walked toward the kitchen, saying under her breath, “Yes, we are.”
The touch of her skin on his sent chills through him. Even the few beers didn’t dull the sensation. My God, if just the tips of her fingers feel that good, what would the rest of her feel like? Losing his balance, the chair lunged forward and threw him off the seat, spilling beer to the ground. He couldn’t believe he allowed his thoughts to go there, to what her entire body might feel like. His body knew being skin-on-skin with her whole body would be akin to being close to lightning—tingling, searing, and dangerous.
With a chair and two beers in tow, Carson handed him one. Their eyes met, and she saw a look in his new to her, something tender, open, vulnerable and full of desire but with a touch of fear. A slightly perceptible shift had taken place in him, and she hoped this meant a seed had been planted for a budding relationship.
Immensely enjoying each other’s company, and intoxicated by the magnificent vistas and sunset, they bantered easily. “So, I know you’re on your way to Missoula, but what made you leave Santa Fe?”
Feeling playful from the effects of the beer, Carson half-joked, “Ghosts.”
Cody choked on his drink. “What?”
“I’m kidding … kind of. I wanted to see your reaction.”
“You got one.” He wiped his chin. “And what do you mean by ‘kidding, kind of?”
“I don’t mean literal ghosts. I mean figurative ones. The ones left over from bad experiences, losses, or whatever curve balls life throws at you.”
Placing his beer down, he stared into the distance.
“You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?”
Cody crossed his arms in front of him. “Yeah, I guess I do.”
Carson realized from his body language he knew precisely what she meant but wasn’t about to discuss it. It can’t hurt to ask, though. “Well, then, what are your ghosts?”
Cody stood, leaned on the railing and cleared his throat. “Those are things better left unsaid.” He kicked a pebble off the floor and turned to her. “Besides, you brought the subject up, so I think you should tell me about yours. I’m thinking they were bad enough to make you pick up and move to Montana with no family or friends for support. Those ghosts must’ve been pretty bad, huh?”
Carson took a long drink to brace herself. “Well, there wasn’t one singular bad incident, more like a series of them. A whole lot of things didn’t work out: people, relationships, jobs, things I put my heart and soul into, thinking they were contributing to a new life, good and solid.” Carson stopped talking, lost in thoughts she didn’t want to remember.
Cody did relate. “It’s okay. You don’t have to talk about it.”
“No, I want to. Let’s just say after spending years thinking I was building a life, it all came apart instead. I lost my …” Carson stopped, checked her words, unwilling to share one of her worst life stories, and picked up with what she could speak of. “When I was twenty-three, my marriage ended, my mother and father had died a couple years before. I had no family left so I moved out west to start over. I kept trying, believing things would be better and I was on the right track. But everything I attempted sifted through my fingers like sand, especially relationships—only they were more like a landslide. Where I thought I laid new, solid ground, life broke up into pieces and fell apart.”
Her sadness was deep enough to wrap around him. He reached over and grabbed her pinky and gave it a little tug. “I’m sorry. You seem too good of a person for life not to work out.”
Carson put her empty bottle down sharply on the floor then sat up straight. “Don’t be sorry. I’m not. I believe everything happens for a reason. I’ve grown and learned from all those experiences. But at a certain point when nothing is going right, when you’re swimming upstream and not getting anywhere, then you chart a different course, make a new move. I believe I’m moving in the right direction now and good things will come of it.” He turned to face her and saw her expression light up. “This is proof. Here I am enjoying the end of a perfect day in a gorgeous place that stirs my soul, talking with a wonderful man.”
Cody looked away from her then, off into the distance, tilting his head back and making a guttural sound, a “hmph.” Not knowing what to make of her words, or how to respond, he turned completely away so she couldn’t see his face or sense his thoughts—the only thought he could have—me, a wonderful man. Now that’s the biggest ghost there is.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
99¢ SALE on Ebook!
Print book on sale on Amazon only- for a limited time.
Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B07KPJ68K6
Barnes/Noble (Nook): www.barnesandnoble.com/w/1129748289
Books-A-Million (Print only): https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Echoes-Love/N-Christine-Samuelson/9781543950649?id=7489532086395
What’s your favorite activity to shake off the winter doldrums?
One of my favorite activities is to share a wonderful meal with family, a glass of wine or two by a crackling fire in the fire pit outside, filling all my senses with warmth and love. Then end the night by curling up with a great book and a decaf cappuccino.
Why is your featured book a cure for the winter blues?
Despite the story taking place mostly through fall and winter in Montana & Wyoming, Echoes of Love will warm readers’ hearts with the journeys of Carson & Cody. Their hearts, as well as their tragedies and triumphs, will touch yours.
The story reaches through time and life, where their present-day obstacles and fears are illuminated by events from the past—hundreds of years ago. This book will keep readers turning the pages with an unusual plot and wondering what’s really going on with them. Will they have the courage to understand and fight for love and relationship, or succumb to an abyss of unsurmountable challenges?
Amplifying the drama is the beauty and power of the land and seasons through the exquisite settings of the Rocky Mountain American west and northwest. And the characters’ lives and love will warm your life and heart, heating up the chilliest of winter days.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $75 Amazon US or Canada gift card
Open internationally. You must have a valid Amazon US or Amazon CA account to win.
Runs March 1 – 31
Drawing will be held on April 1.
Author Biography:
Christine writes contemporary novels of love, life and relationships involving the eternal bonds that transform lives and transcend time, death, and place. Creativity and writing have long been part of her award-winning careers in graphic design, advertising and newspapers. Now, in writing fiction, she explores the joys and triumphs, the tragic and magic of life and love that readers relate to.
Her characters are realistic, fresh and relevant with stories that include mystery and some mysticism. They are written in a unique voice and partially influenced by life experience which inspires the diverse settings, characters, and authentic storylines of her novels.
Living in coastal South Carolina, Christine finds the land and sea are constant sources of inspiration. She hopes readers will be inspired to look at life and love through a different lens and realize that no matter their circumstances, we all share similar stories in our lives and hearts.
Social Media Links:
Website: www.NChristineSamuelson.com
Facebook Author Page: www.facebook.com/nchristinesamuelsonauthor/
Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/N.-Christine-Samuelson/e/B07B8VT9BB
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ncsamuelson
Instagram: www.instagram.com/nchristine7711/