Taryn's Snippit Sundays~ "...so long as you dress appropriate this time." CASTAWAY HEARTS #excerpt

Twice orphaned, Catherine Barrett arrives in Virginia a stranger to her closest kin and secretly engaged to the one man her family would disapprove of—her seafaring grandfather’s apprentice. Add to her troubles, the rich and intriguing older brother of her secret betrothed, Dawson Randolph, a plantation owner who is as heartless as he is handsome. Heartbroken when her intended sets sail for his maiden voyage, Catherine finds it difficult to adjust to her new life, hoping to befriend the one man who is, undoubtedly, the match her grandparents wish for her. Dawson’s distaste for her secret engagement to his brother makes it clear he has no designs for marriage to anyone. Especially her.

Ten years since the tragic loss of his young wife and infant son, Dawson Randolph is convinced love and marriage is a fool’s game and resents being pardon to his brother’s hidden engagement. Damned by his instant attraction and his own growing desire, Dawson vows to befriend her against his better judgment. Determined to bring her happiness in a time of fear and uncertainty, Dawson puts aside his animosity to become her confidant, only to realize Catherine holds the key to his heart. When tragedy strikes at sea, Catherine’s guilt pushes Dawson to the fringes of her life as madness consumes her.

Can his love save her before she drowns in her own grief? Or is he doomed to love her from a distance, always in the shadow of her love for his dead brother?

     Catherine’s smile spread, her heart rising up on wings of hope at his offer.

     “But how?”

     “Meet me tonight, around the same time. I’ll bring along Willow, the gentlest mare in my barn. Saddled and ready. We’ll race along the beach.”

     “You’d do that for me?” Catherine pressed a hand to her bosom, surprised by this fortunate turn of events.

     “Yes, so long as you dress appropriate this time.” Dawson whispered—his words husky.

     Heavens. He saw her in her nightgown!

Taryn's Snippit Sundays~ You have no right, Catherine CASTAWAY HEARTS #excerpt

     When she turned toward the house, her thoughts turned to Dawson, too. The man seemed different this day than he had the day before, the expression on his face softer, kinder. She turned away, but in her mind, she could still see his face. His eyes penetrated her thoughts. Her heart quivered and her stomach dipped with nervous apprehension.
     She wanted to hate him, to tell him to go away and leave her alone. Yet, she couldn’t help but feel she didn’t hate him near as much as she wished she could. Even after the harsh way he spoke to her, she still felt the crackle of attraction between them. She hated how often her thoughts turned to him and what he would have looked like in a sailor’s uniform.
     You have no right, Catherine—no rights whatsoever to think of Dawson in those intimate ways. Think of Nathaniel. He’s the man who’ll be your husband.

Taryn's Snippit Sundays~ A mermaid? CASTAWAY HEARTS #excerpt

A riotous slosh sounded in an alcove to his left and captured his attention. Inch by inch, he guided Gypsy closer to the rocky cliff, afraid of what he might find there. He thought perhaps a fish or some other sea creature had washed ashore, unable to make its way back out to sea.

As he stole closer, he made out the form, but it was not a fish or any other animal he had ever seen wash up on the beach before.

Wrapped in wispy white fabric that rippled in the wind, a ghostly female figure began to solidify in his sight. Dawson pulled Gypsy to a standstill. It reminded him of mermaid stories he had heard as a child, but this was no mermaid. This was an apparition, floating along on the breeze.

The fabric she wore was so thin he could make out the supple curves of her breasts, his eyes traveling down over her full hips, and the long slender legs that carried her to the water’s edge.

Dawson rubbed his eyes with his fists. Surely, the moonlight had deceived him.

Taryn's Snippit Sundays~ CASTAWAY HEARTS~ #excerpt Don't dwell on this waif...

Twice orphaned, Catherine Barrett arrives in Virginia a stranger to her closest kin and secretly engaged to the one man her family would disapprove of—her seafaring grandfather’s apprentice. Add to her troubles, the rich and intriguing older brother of her secret betrothed, Dawson Randolph, a plantation owner who is as heartless as he is handsome. Heartbroken when her intended sets sail for his maiden voyage, Catherine finds it difficult to adjust to her new life, hoping to befriend the one man who is, undoubtedly, the match her grandparents wish for her. Dawson’s distaste for her secret engagement to his brother makes it clear he has no designs for marriage to anyone. Especially her.

Ten years since the tragic loss of his young wife and infant son, Dawson Randolph is convinced love and marriage is a fool’s game and resents being pardon to his brother’s hidden engagement. Damned by his instant attraction and his own growing desire, Dawson vows to befriend her against his better judgment. Determined to bring her happiness in a time of fear and uncertainty, Dawson puts aside his animosity to become her confidant, only to realize Catherine holds the key to his heart. When tragedy strikes at sea, Catherine’s guilt pushes Dawson to the fringes of her life as madness consumes her.

Can his love save her before she drowns in her own grief? Or is he doomed to love her from a distance, always in the shadow of her love for his dead brother?

****

Dawson gave the horse a good prod with his heels, and she took off. The wind whipped through his hair and the moonlight illuminated his way through the lush forest across the road from his home, down the embankment to the edge of the beach. Even in the dark, guided by the pale moonlight, his horse knew the way. This was not their first midnight ride.

As they reached the clearing, Dawson gave another prod. Gypsy opened up and flew across the sand. She sensed her master’s troubled heart and in turn mirrored his desire for freedom and wild abandon. Dawson let her run, her thunderous hooves muffled by the gritty sand beneath.

The horse galloped across the sand for a good quarter mile before Dawson gave her a nudge and pulled back on the reins to slow her to a halt. He stared out at the sea, the moon, the stars, and found he felt small, petty, and irritated still.

Aggravation crept into his heart as he looked out into the bay. Nathaniel knew what Dawson went through in his youth and yet his foolish little brother still wanted to take a bride.

Dawson threw a glance over his shoulder to the cliff-side home of Captain and Mrs. Barrett. The building housed the one idea he never imagined he could want.

Catherine.

Don’t dwell on this waif. She’s not yours to want after or worry about.

His brother was another story. Nathaniel had a great mind for sailing, but he had always been bohemian, never content to stay still for long.

Taryn's Snippit Sundays~ CASTAWAY HEARTS~ #excerpt He forgot how a woman deep in love looked...

Twice orphaned, Catherine Barrett arrives in Virginia a stranger to her closest kin and secretly engaged to the one man her family would disapprove of—her seafaring grandfather’s apprentice. Add to her troubles, the rich and intriguing older brother of her secret betrothed, Dawson Randolph, a plantation owner who is as heartless as he is handsome. Heartbroken when her intended sets sail for his maiden voyage, Catherine finds it difficult to adjust to her new life, hoping to befriend the one man who is, undoubtedly, the match her grandparents wish for her. Dawson’s distaste for her secret engagement to his brother makes it clear he has no designs for marriage to anyone. Especially her.

Ten years since the tragic loss of his young wife and infant son, Dawson Randolph is convinced love and marriage is a fool’s game and resents being pardon to his brother’s hidden engagement. Damned by his instant attraction and his own growing desire, Dawson vows to befriend her against his better judgment. Determined to bring her happiness in a time of fear and uncertainty, Dawson puts aside his animosity to become her confidant, only to realize Catherine holds the key to his heart. When tragedy strikes at sea, Catherine’s guilt pushes Dawson to the fringes of her life as madness consumes her.

Can his love save her before she drowns in her own grief? Or is he doomed to love her from a distance, always in the shadow of her love for his dead brother?

****

Dawson couldn’t sleep. Silence hung thick over the large plantation, but a storm raged within him.

He hadn’t meant to snap at Catherine or even tell her what he thought of marriage at all.

In her eyes, he saw the earnest plea when she asked about Nathaniel, so open and raw with emotion and need. It made him flinch. He forgot how a woman deep in love looked, how innocent and hopeful and desperate.

He would explain his actions to Captain Barrett upon their next encounter, for he had no excuse for his behavior. To run off without thanks for the fine dinner and company had been bad form on his part.

Dawson’s life had been solitary for so long, though he hated to admit it. Empty most the time, the plantation haunted him with its excruciating stillness, other than the few servants who tended to the upkeep of the house, the laundry and his meals.

Taryn's Snippit Sundays~ CASTAWAY HEARTS~ #excerpt Handsome and she hated him for it.

 Twice orphaned, Catherine Barrett arrives in Virginia a stranger to her closest kin and secretly engaged to the one man her family would disapprove of—her seafaring grandfather’s apprentice. Add to her troubles, the rich and intriguing older brother of her secret betrothed, Dawson Randolph, a plantation owner who is as heartless as he is handsome. Heartbroken when her intended sets sail for his maiden voyage, Catherine finds it difficult to adjust to her new life, hoping to befriend the one man who is, undoubtedly, the match her grandparents wish for her. Dawson’s distaste for her secret engagement to his brother makes it clear he has no designs for marriage to anyone. Especially her.

Ten years since the tragic loss of his young wife and infant son, Dawson Randolph is convinced love and marriage is a fool’s game and resents being pardon to his brother’s hidden engagement. Damned by his instant attraction and his own growing desire, Dawson vows to befriend her against his better judgment. Determined to bring her happiness in a time of fear and uncertainty, Dawson puts aside his animosity to become her confidant, only to realize Catherine holds the key to his heart. When tragedy strikes at sea, Catherine’s guilt pushes Dawson to the fringes of her life as madness consumes her.

Can his love save her before she drowns in her own grief? Or is he doomed to love her from a distance, always in the shadow of her love for his dead brother?

 ****

   Once within the entryway of the house, out of her grandparents’ vision, she dashed up the stairs and into her room. She slowed down long enough to shut the door without rattling its hinges then threw herself across the bed. Pent up tears streamed out of her eyes and scalded her cheeks.

   How could it be Nathaniel was so kind, good, and sweet and his brother the opposite?

   She never met a man so dead set against marriage or more dead set against her in all her life.

   He doesn’t know me!

   How could Dawson think he knew what was best for her or Nathaniel?

   How could he pass such harsh judgment before they spoke more than a few words to one another?

   It only made sense that if word came from Nathaniel while away, it would reach Dawson first, and Catherine hoped he would be kind enough to keep her apprised of Nathaniel’s journey. To make friends with the Randolph family had been a goal she planned with good intention, for it would make life much easier when Nathaniel returned and announced their engagement. She would already feel like part of their family.

   What a cruel twist of fate. Dawson was arrogant, impersonal and so very opinionated. Worse yet, Catherine thought him the most beautiful creature she ever laid eyes on.

   He was handsome and she hated him for it. Even more so, she hated to admit him even more attractive than Nathaniel was.

   Curses, what makes me think such horrid thoughts? Catherine’s heart stuck in her throat.

   Her silent admission of attraction left her awestruck. 

   He is not my intended. He is the brother of my intended.

Taryn's Snippit Sundays~ CASTAWAY HEARTS Marriage isn't the obvious conclusion... #excerpt

Twice orphaned, Catherine Barrett arrives in Virginia a stranger to her closest kin and secretly engaged to the one man her family would disapprove of—her seafaring grandfather’s apprentice. Add to her troubles, the rich and intriguing older brother of her secret betrothed, Dawson Randolph, a plantation owner who is as heartless as he is handsome. Heartbroken when her intended sets sail for his maiden voyage, Catherine finds it difficult to adjust to her new life, hoping to befriend the one man who is, undoubtedly, the match her grandparents wish for her. Dawson’s distaste for her secret engagement to his brother makes it clear he has no designs for marriage to anyone. Especially her.

Ten years since the tragic loss of his young wife and infant son, Dawson Randolph is convinced love and marriage is a fool’s game and resents being pardon to his brother’s hidden engagement. Damned by his instant attraction and his own growing desire, Dawson vows to befriend her against his better judgment. Determined to bring her happiness in a time of fear and uncertainty, Dawson puts aside his animosity to become her confidant, only to realize Catherine holds the key to his heart. When tragedy strikes at sea, Catherine’s guilt pushes Dawson to the fringes of her life as madness consumes her.

Can his love save her before she drowns in her own grief? Or is he doomed to love her from a distance, always in the shadow of her love for his dead brother?

****

       “How dare you, Mr. Randolph. You know very little of me or my heart.” The slender column of her throat quivered as she held herself in control. “It’s obvious you know your brother even less. We love each other. What other possible conclusion is there than to enter into holy matrimony when two people love each other?”
      “Marriage isn’t the obvious conclusion to anything. Sometimes love’s not enough to make it endure, though I have a feeling it’s not truly about that anyway,” Dawson bit back. “Those who marry are foolish, as it is. Those who do so with naïve fantasies and daydreams are even bigger fools. That would make my brother the biggest fool of them all if he were to marry you.”
       “I’ve heard enough from you, Mr. Randolph. Your opinion is of little or no consequence in the matter and you may keep your assumptions to yourself. It’s clear you know nothing.”
        Catherine gathered her skirts in her white knuckled fists and stormed away, strands of her auburn hair, loosed from her hairpins, whipped around in the breeze.
        Damned fool! Dawson cursed himself and stomped off down the hill toward his horse. Women weren’t worth the aggravation.

Happy Father's Day!

Tuesdays with Taryn- Amy Durham

Tuesdays with Taryn

Click image above for Amazon Print version. Other buy links are listed at bottom of the blog.

Please join me in welcoming Amy Durham to my very first Tuesdays with Taryn. Amy is a fellow KYRW chapter-mate, debuting her Indie-pubbed first young adult novel, Once Again.

What book(s) most influenced you as a writer?

First and foremost, “Fair Haven”, by JoAnn Ross. I’ve always been an avid reader – and I’ve loved writing since the 6^th grade – but it was Ross’s “Fair Haven” that said to me, “You can do THIS, and you SHOULD do this.”

What book do you read over and over again?

Well, aside from “Fair Haven”, I also re-read “Jewels of the Sun” by Nora Roberts. And yes, I’ll admit it, I re-read the “Twilight” books! I think they really demonstrate the cross-over appeal of Young Adult fiction.

Tuesday Trio-

1) Movie- When Harry Met Sally

2) Music- “Love Song” by The Cure

3) Decadent Dessert- Crème Brulee

What’s the most interesting or bizarre bit of trivia you’ve learned from researching for a novel? It’s not really bizarre, but I was surprised to learn that many Maine residents don’t have air conditioning in their homes. Their summers are short, so a lot of folks don’t think they need them. My cousin Adrienne was my “research” for ONCE AGAIN. She moved to Maine from North Carolina when she got married, and it was her opinion that an air conditioner was, in fact, necessary… even in Maine!

Novel on your Nightstand:

Who/what are you currently reading? “On Lavender Lane” by JoAnn Ross. Yes, I’m a BIG fan of hers!

Whom would you cast as your Hero & Heroine if your book became a movie? I always picture Layla Bradford very much like Emma Roberts, who played Nancy Drew. She’s a very “natural” beauty. And I think Logan Lerman, who played Percy Jackson, would make a perfect Lucas Ellis! He’s got that “boyish charm” I always imagine when I think of Lucas.

BLURB:

Reincarnation sucks! Unless it comes with a cute guy. That’s what sixteen year-old Layla Bradford discovers when she moves to Sky Cove, Maine, a small-town she thought was ordinary, but turns out to be an episode of “Cold Case” on steroids. Layla doesn’t want to fit in; she wants to blend in and stay out of the spotlight. But the spotlight is where she winds up when she catches the eye of school cross-country star and all-around-nice-guy Lucas Ellis. She quickly learns there’s more at stake than high school reputations when she and Lucas discover they are the reincarnations of a young married couple from the mid-1800s who suffered a horrible tragedy at the hands of a madman who was never brought to justice. After a series of frightening visions show Layla and Lucas glimpses of their past-lives, they realize that the villain of their previous existence has also been reincarnated, in the form of a fellow high school student who targets them with teenage pranks that soon turn dangerous. As they grow closer, will Layla and Lucas be able to uncover the truth in time to stop the same tragedy from unfolding once again?

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You can also find Amy at her website/blog-

Amy Durham
Imagination & Escape for the young...
and young at heart

Thanks again for visiting today, Amy! So glad to have you on!