Hello readers, we're so thrilled for this exclusive cover reveal by prolific author Marilyn Barr. As many of you know, we love cover reveals. A cover is a story personified and this one is frame-worthy. Keep scrolling to see the beautiful cover and be sure to enter the giveaway. The author is giving away signed print copies of two books to one lucky reader. Without further ado, here's the cover...
Title Sound of a Wylder Silence
Author Marilyn Barr
Genre PNR, Western Romance
Publisher The Wild Rose Press
Book Blurb
Will he speak up for her or forever hold his peace?
Ikshu Sagebrush lives in the shadows of his mystical brother, loudmouth sister-in-law, and the trauma he endured. When a chance meeting with a Christmas angel makes him consider stepping into the light, Ikshu calls to the spirits of his ancestors to help restore his voice.
Ava Wylder is no angel, but her wicked ways are the catalyst Ikshu needs to face his inner demons and build a life. She would gladly trade her family’s wish for her to become a lady of a manor house in New York for the natural beauty of Wylder and a simple existence with Ikshu.
When their families and community status step between them, she cannot fight for their love alone.
Will Ikshu find his voice to make his intentions known, or let true love slip through his fingers?
Excerpt
Despite my new commitment to integrating into Wylder and establishing myself at Dad’s side, I couldn’t leave my new book Around the World in Eighty Days at home. I read Journey to the Center of the Earth and Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea monthly at school. Those adventures between the pages kept the tears away. The day my train was due to leave for home, Jules Verne’s newest book arrived in the school’s library.
I couldn’t believe my luck when I stumbled over it before it could be tagged and inventoried. Slipping it from the stack of mail and into the folds of my traveling dress had been almost too easy. It was as if I was destined to steal it. Now that I have it safe in Wylder, I can’t resist a little peek while Dad is otherwise occupied.
By the end of chapter one, I am transported to the rousing card game in the book. I almost escaped when cackling laughter brought me back abruptly. Sigh, perhaps I will never have the privacy needed to enjoy myself. The mixture of conversations batter inside my head with little hammers. Why is it I can never avoid the constant talking of others? Is there really so much to say? I could enjoy my book, the party, and the first few flakes of snow outside if everyone would just stay quiet.
This book has brought forth memories of playing cards with the maids at school. My roommate, Cecilia, introduced me to playing cards, smoking cigars, and many other pastimes that would make Dad blush and my brothers fly through the roof. If only I could leave for a trip around the world, like the male characters in my books. I’m brought out of my trance by the rustling of wrapping paper and the clapping of ornaments on the tree. Sigh, one of the kids escaped and now has found my hiding spot. Great.
“Clear out, or I will tell Santa you tried to run away and join a circus,” I scold the shape hiding in the curtains.
****
I didn’t mean to intrude upon the woman perched in the chair, but once I found her I couldn’t move. She looks like the angel at the top of the Christmas tree come to life. The familiar paralysis in my mouth spread through the rest of my body as I tried to absorb everything about the delicate woman hiding in the high back chair.
She curls into a ball to make herself as small as possible, her feet tucked beneath the lacy hem of her storm-cloud gray dress. Eyes of a matching hue dart over the pages of her book while a smile tugs on the right corner of her lips.
Whatever is written on those pages builds excitement within her bosom, if the fluttering of the white lace at her neckline is any measure. With each exhale, the golden tendrils which have escaped the knot at the back of her head wave from under her chin. I’m held in place by her stare as she growls her ridiculous warning. Living with Olive the she-bear, this angel is as frightening as a prairie flower.
“I won’t tell anyone if you won’t.” The words fly out of my mouth before I can stop them. I’m not proud of the husky whisper I use to deliver them, but they came out. The curtain swishes behind me as I step from behind it. The tree obscures my view of Olive and Nartan. Hopefully, it blocks their view of me as well. My gut instinct says what I’m about to do is beyond stupid.
Her eyes widen before they roam over my body with brazen appreciation. The act compels me to fidget with anxiety. The tip of her tongue touches her bottom lip and her eyelashes flutter. I sit at her feet, and the fluttering stops. Her eyelashes lift to roam my face with her gaze again. She’s practically panting with fear or something akin to it. We don’t move but sit in the quiet while the party fades from the background to another place.
“I’m reading.” Her whisper is just as husky as mine. She delivers her words with a frown, but there’s no fire behind them. “I don’t like small talk, and I don’t want to hear your war stories. I’m not going to be impressed.”
“Then let’s not talk.” Three sentences in a row, and I’m home clear. I adjust my legs into a comfortable cross-legged position with my back to her. From this position, I can watch her reflection read in the window, hide from the party, and avoid disturbing her. I just hope she didn’t detect my sigh of relief when she said she didn’t want conversation.
We sit in our quiet corner, but she doesn’t return to her book. She’s watching me as intently as I’m watching her.
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Giveaway –
Enter to win an autographed print copy of both Dance to a Wylder Beat and Sound of a Wylder Silence by Marilyn Barr
Open internationally.
Runs September 22 – October 2, 2022. Winner will be drawn on October 3, 2022.
Author Biography
Marilyn Barr currently resides in the wilds of Kentucky with her husband, son, and rescue cats. When engaging with the real world, she is collecting characters, empty coffee cups, and unused homeschool curricula. She has a diverse background containing experiences as a child prodigy turned medical school reject, biodefense microbiologist, high school science teacher, homeschool mother of a savant and advocate for the autistic community.
She would love to hear from readers via her website www.marilynbarr.com .
Social Media Links
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