Title: Spirit of the Revolution
Author: Debbie Peterson
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Book Blurb:
Only divine intervention could have guided Jolena Leigh Michaelsson to the doorstep of a ramshackle manor in Pennsylvania, bringing her face-to-face with the man she has waited her whole life to find. There is just one problem. Mathias McGregor died two centuries ago—
Mathias, Revolutionary War ranger and spy, battles his conscience and his heart when he finds himself falling for the beautiful violinist invading his home. Jolena is mortal and deserves far more than what he as a spirit can offer her.
When Jolena's family motto leads them to unearth a valuable coded message--the very message Mathias died trying to deliver to General Washington--Jolena vows to unravel the mystery surrounding the cryptic document. But someone else wants the message, and he'll stop at nothing to get it, not even murder.
Divine intervention brought them together--will it also allow them to find forever?
Excerpt
“Mathias,” she cried. “Everyone is leaving me, and it just hurts.”
“I know, shh—don’t cry,” he whispered into her ear. “I promise you, everything is going to be all right, you’ll see.”
His lips crashed down on hers. Within those kisses, she sensed not only the power of his love, but also a feeling of—of—desperation! And then, as he drew away, she stepped back. That same desperation filled his eyes. The now familiar look of intense pain and suffering marred his features. What did that mean? She struggled to make sense of it. Understanding arrived very slowly. No, her heart screamed. No, surely not. He wouldn’t leave her. He wouldn’t. He promised.
She shook her head as her hands flew to her face, covering her mouth. A pitiful wail escaped her lips. She squeezed her eyes shut. “No! You promised,” she choked out the words as the tears began anew. “You promised to stay with me forever. Oh, you promised…”
“Circumstances beyond my control negated that promise,” he murmured as his arms encircled her waist, needing to feel her in his arms, needing to feel her body close to his one last time. She backed away from his embrace and shook her head.
“Circumstances? What circumstances would nullify your promise? I need you Mathias. Don’t you understand? I love you so much it hurts, and if you leave me, you’ll leave behind a pain that will never go away. Not ever.”
Mathias cursed under his breath and then shook his head. “No, you’ll find someone else, and you’ll love him and he’ll love you. How could he help it?” His hand grazed the length of her cheek. “You’re so very beautiful, inside and out. He’ll be so lucky to have you and to share your life. Together you’ll raise a houseful of kids and all the while, you’ll play your violin for those who need to hear it. You’ll live life as intended.”
“You’re wrong.” She shook her head and lifted her chin in defiance. “I will never love anyone but you. You can’t force that to happen just because you say so. Yes, you can leave me, but I will never give my heart to anyone else. Don’t you understand? You have already filled every corner of my heart and every particle of my soul. There’s no room, or desire for anyone else. If you leave me, you’ll leave only a mere shadow in your wake, and I’ll live out the rest of my days in pain and sorrow. The music inside my soul will die!”
He caught her into his arms and despite her struggle to free herself, he held her there until she finally gave in and buried her face against his chest. His eyes closed in anguish as she sobbed. How he wished he didn’t have to leave her.
“No, you won’t, because I won’t leave you suffering. Listen to me now, Jolena,” he crooned into her ear. “When you wake up, you won’t remember any of the dreams we’ve shared. You won’t remember anything that will give you pain. You’ll only remember the deep and abiding friendship of five ghosts, whom, through your tireless efforts, you gave peace and contentment after centuries of torment.”
She shook her head. “No.”
“I love you, Jolena Leigh Michaelsson, I’ve always loved you, and I will continue to love you for all time. When you cross the portal, leaving your mortality behind you, many, many years from now, should you find you still love me as much as you do this moment, I’ll be waiting for you. I promise,” he vowed.
He couldn’t bear the pained expression in her eyes. Yet, he couldn’t deny himself one final kiss either. He poured all his love and all of his passion into the kiss. She returned it in kind. And though he wished it could continue, he could feel the all-too familiar draw of his past taking him back through the centuries. A draw over which he had no control.
“I have to go now,” he murmured. “I’ll see you on the other side, my love. Somewhere, deep down inside, remember that I love you.”
Despair consumed her as Mathias faded from her view. His pain etched itself into her heart and settled beside her own. “No, Mathias,” she whispered with steely resolve when she could no longer see him. “You hold no power to make me forget. I will never forget—not ever.”
The words echoed in her mind as her eyelids fluttered open. Despite the intensity of the pain it caused, she committed this last dream to memory by reliving it many times over in the darkness of her bedroom. Yet, merely memorizing each moment didn’t seem good enough.
She tossed back the covers and slid out of bed. Dakota whimpered as he rose to his feet and followed her out of the room. Together, they made their way into the library. The house had an empty, eerie feeling.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spirit-of-the-revolution-debbie-peterson/1115652385?ean=9781612177632
Why is your featured book a must-read?
Pieces of History woven with a mystery, intrigue, fun-loving ghosts and a sweet, tender, impossible love that is magical from start to finish!
Giveaway:
Enter to win an e-book bundle of all 30 books featured in the Celebrate Weddings Bookish Event:
Open Internationally.
Runs June 9 – 12, 2020.
Winner will be drawn on June 19, 2020.
Author Biography:
Debbie is an author of sweet paranormal and fantasy romance. She has always had a soft spot for fairy tales, the joy of falling in love, making an impossible love possible, and happily ever after endings. She loves music, art, beautiful sunrises, sunsets, and thunderstorms.
When she's not busy conjuring her latest novel, She spends time with the members of her very large and nutty family in the lovely, arid deserts of southern Nevada. She also pursues her interests in family history, mythology, and history.
Social Media Links:
Website: http://www.debbie-peterson.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DebbiePeterson1