A paranormal ghost story set in the recent past
Daniel Woods is passing through the timeless and
mysterious Appalachian Mountains on his way to Kentucky and his inheritance. A
misstep tumbles him and his horse down the side of a mountain. Battered and
bruised, they come upon a small homestead and help in the form of the lovely
Justine Noakes. Daniel finds himself inexplicably attracted to Justine - and
determined not to embarrass himself by acting on impulse.
Justine recognizes the
blue-eyed trouble that just led his horse into her settled world is something
she never bargained for. Irresistibly drawn to him, Justine has a problem. She
needs to come up with a way to get Daniel to stay in her mountain aerie. The
only way that can happen is if Daniel accepts his new reality.
What Justine knows, and
Daniel must discover, is that sometimes heaven is found in unexpected places.
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EXCERPT from A Hidden Heaven
They reached the barn and she darted to the corral, slipping
between the rails and clapping her hands. Lady trotted to her then followed her
into the barn. The mare was steady and he had quickly had her harnessed to the
little buckboard. Daniel placed his foot on the wagon step, preparing to swing
up onto the seat when Justine placed her hand on his arm. He froze, looking
down at her.
“Thank you again for doing this,” she said quietly, smiling.
Impulse seized him. He put his boot back on the ground and
pulled her into his arms. He caught a quick glance at her eyes before her
eyelids closed and she rose on her toes to meet him halfway.
He was not trespassing.
He meant the kiss to be gentle. He meant the kiss to be soft
and tender.
He meant the kiss to be something to lure her closer to him
and suddenly it didn’t need to be. Suddenly she was as eager for the kiss as he
was.
Suddenly she was the one in control of everything but the
kiss.
Daniel grabbed what little wits he had left and slanted his
mouth across hers. Her trembling lips opened under his as her arms came up
around his neck. He moved his lips on hers then swept his tongue over her lower
lip, a slow, lazy stroke that made her hold him tighter. A small moan escaped
her and it was all the encouragement he needed.
He backed her into Lady’s stall, pulling her down to the
clean straw. She clung to him without protest. He rolled her beneath him, never
taking his lips from hers, feasting on her as she feasted on him.
She moaned again when he flexed his hips to hers, digging
her fingers into his shoulders. He flicked his tongue to hers and she responded
in kind. The heat in his groin spread, coiling in his belly. His cock swelled,
filling with unbridled anticipation.
He cupped her breast, feeling the hard peak of her nipple
through the thin cotton of her shift and bodice. She arched up to him, pulling
her mouth from his and sucking in a great lungful of air. He sobered
immediately.
God, he couldn’t take her here in the straw, on the ground,
in a livestock barn. She deserved clean sheets and a soft bed, a man fresh from
his bath, not a restless night spent sweating in the grip of barely recalled
dreams.
He rose up and blinked her into focus. She met his gaze
without pretense.
“I don’t want you to stop.”
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
A HIDDEN HEAVEN is available at:
This book was formerly titled, "Skipping Heaven."
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This is an interesting amalgam of genres, including both
historical and paranormal elements. I’ve read several of Ms. Forrest’s
books, and this, despite its brief length, is my favorite so far. The plot is simple,
and yet complex; sweet, and yet sinfully erotic; happily ever after, and yet
bittersweet. The writing is exquisite, depicting for us the everyday life of a simpler
time and place, while, at the same time, preparing us for more serious events to
come. I became caught up in the lives of Daniel and Justine, who seemed
like real people. The love scenes between the two are sensual and moderately
explicit, and very emotionally satisfying. In my opinion, this is a story that
transcends genre. It doesn’t matter if you prefer to read historical romance,
science fiction, or fantasy, you will find Skipping Heaven irresistible.
