Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Tuesday's Special Is...Love's Magic!

Love's Magic by Traci E. Hall

Celestia Montehue is the misfit in a legacy bound family. The only thing she has in common with her ancestors is her magical healing ability. Nicholas Le Blanc, a monastery raised knight, is captured while on crusade and forced to kill for his freedom. Can the healer save the broken man, or will his family’s curse doom them both?







Excerpt from LOVE'S MAGIC


Her eyes widened and she swallowed, her breaths coming faster beneath his stare. “We agreed to an annulment,” she said on a ragged whisper.

“I know.” But he couldn’t think of all the reasons they should not be together; instead he stared pointedly, envisioning the kiss they’d shared that afternoon. The pull of lust alluring for the first time in a long while, he thought of all the ways he could teach her to kiss him, to hold him. She flicked her pink tongue over her full lower lip, her eyelids heavy. He was aware that she had no idea how heavenly she looked. The heat between them ratcheted another notch until he could stand it no more.

“Angel.” Nicholas reached out and grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her to him until her mouth was beneath his. He kissed her as if his life depended on it, and if she did not return his passion he would fall into a spineless puddle at her tiny feet.

His surprise was great when he felt the push of her warm tongue against his lips. Her hands rubbed the sleeves of his tunic, as if she would strip him of it. Up, down, the fabric slid against his flesh until the heat of her fingers bumped against the ropy scars on his wrists.

A zing so hot it felt cold made him pull back and she cried out, as if in agony.

“What?” Nicholas panted. “What was that? What is the matter with you? You’ve seen my scars, I thought that you didn’t mind them, I-”

“It hurt,” she said, her face pale, her eyes without the familiar sparkle.

“It didn’t.” The realization of what she’d said came slow.

“It was hot, dark, you were hurting terribly.”

Nicholas’s desire ebbed, but the intensity was replaced by fear. “What do you mean?”

Her eyes filled with tears that sparkled like gems upon her lashes. “You were hurting. You were being made to feel the highest level of pain, on purpose. I’m sorry, I am so sorry, Nicholas.”
Tears tracked down her cheeks.

Horrified, Nicholas lashed out, “You know nothing about my life, pain or otherwise.” His basic instinct was to protect himself, and his secrets. He put his hands out, symbolically pushing her away. “Close the neck of your gown. If you want to act the whore, I am happy to oblige, my lady. But if you wish to return to this house as pure as when you left it, then I suggest you keep your hands to yourself.”

She dried her eyes, but refused to adjust her gown. Her shoulders were proudly set. “My heart is breaking for you. Can you not trust me?”

“You’ve already lied to me once!”

“I didn’t lie, exactly. I saved your life.”

Cold spread through his body. “And I’ve saved yours. We shall see who made the better bargain.”

******************************************************************************
Please answer the following question for a chance to win a free copy of LOVE'S MAGIC, or stop by and say hi to Traci.
Traci has a special gown she wears for grocery shopping. Please describe it.

57 comments:

Chris Eldin said...

Good morning everyone!
Gents, don't be shy to describe your fantasy shopping gown...
;-)

laughingwolf said...

welcome traci :D

love that excerpt... as usual, the guy's a blockhead ;) lol

traci's gown is truly diaphanous, for she shops like all true practitioners of the occult arts: skyclad :O

Traci said...

Blockhead?? Somehow they just make the very best heroes. just finished my WIP, and the hero actually has more emotional growth than the heroine. I wonder if women will believe it????

Traci said...

And no, laughingwolf, there is no naked Traci at Publix. I would get escorted out for public nuisance, lolol.

moonmangsh said...

I have an insider birdie who told me that Traci doesn't actually shop at all. She has her minions do all of that for her.

Now, if she "were" to go shopping, it would be to purchase food for her starving children, so she would want to look hip, and fit in with the teenage crowd.

Therefor, I would say she would wear:

A 1980's Sex Pistols Concert Tee Shirt
An open sweater that is tri-colored in stripes (Black, Gray and White)
Black leggings
A rinkled long black skirt that flows down below her knees
Red High top Converse sneekers
An an attitude on her face of "Don't mess with me, or I will run away". lol

T. said...

Moonman, don't forget the Mohawk!! Sexy!!!

Traci said...

OMG - Moonman has been in my 80's closet, lol. What can I say? I have my own style (ish)

Traci said...

Hey T - there are no pictures of the mohawk, which means that - like a lot of the 80's - it never happened

moonmangsh said...

I have never seen the mohawk, but I am sure there would be a ton of hairspray which would make her hair stick up all over the place.

Traci said...

Grocery store - giant mohawk - I'd better stay out of the poultry section, lol

moonmangsh said...

Bwak, Bwak

T. said...

Just because there are no actual photos, doesn't mean it didn't happen... Just ask Neil... 2 children miraculously appeared :)

Aleka Nakis said...

Love's Magic!
Now, I have it two times over. Loved it, Traci.

Think about the title when thinking of Traci grocery shopping. She really is a romantic that believes love fills all we touch. lol

In truth, she has two gowns (depends on what she's putting on the table for dinner).

The last one I saw her pushing a cart in Publix with was a white, billowing, silk gown, trimmed in gold braiding. Each time she reached for an item on the shelf, the flowing sleeves would sway and enchant the males in the aisle with her scent. With their mouths agape, the disoriented stockboys stared, and many shoppers received discounts on the lobster as they marked it with the tuna price. Despite the purity of the color and material, it was an enticing garment, outlining Traci's curves and magical abilities.

Can you guess what was being served on that night?

moonmangsh said...

Traci Ellen - You are no longer allowed to go to the grocery store.

Thanks Aleka. I hope you are happy now!

T. said...

I'm glad Trace's niece isn't reading this! TaeLynne would need therapy. Aunt Trace would NEVER...

Traci said...

Aleka - you made me blush. OMG. Wow...

Chris Eldin said...

I'm definitely shopping in the wrong stores!!
:-)
I love these comments!!

laughingwolf said...

i'm sure that's not true, traci... what with a hubster and teenie boppers ;) lol

T. said...

Hey, a girl has to get out and have some fun sometimes. Especially one married so long and having raised our children for so many years. You Go Girl!!!!! Can't wait to tell the kids about Aunt Trace's alter ego. You've made me so proud (one tear rolls down face here)

Traci said...

No crying in commenting, please, T. Well, it is because of those teenie boppers that I'd be arrested for indecent exposure wearing anything diaphanous. Unless they make spanx in see through???
Hmm. Lets take the latex market by storm!

laughingwolf said...

sounds like quite the plan, traci... so long as ol wuff won't be asked to model! ;) lol

T. said...

Latex/Spandex is forbidden. I don't care who you are. It's just wrong!!

laughingwolf said...

luckily, my long fur coat always hides bulges, and other flaws, so well ;) lol

Traci said...

Okay, LW - now I'm imagining never shaving again so that I too can have a pelt, lol.
I have to actually Go to the grocery store now, and I'm wearing my special outfit ;)

kerribookwriter said...

What an awesome blog! How'd I miss out on this one?? (me = head in the clouds) I do believe that Love is Magic! If you are lucky enough to find it...hang on honey. Happy Freezing Tuesday everyone!

Anonymous said...

Oh, gosh, I was searching in the text for a special gown mention...you don't mean I have to use my IMAGINATION to come up with an answer???? Seriously, I enjoyed the excerpt and the blog, so consider it a success. Wink.

Traci said...

Hey there Kerry - thanks for stopping by - you too, Lisa Marie! Love is Magic, isn't it? Been married forever and it kind of grows of you. Like fungus, only more romantic.
Okkaaaayyyyyyy - what am I wearing now??? I cleaned out my closet today to pack and found all sorts of 'interesting' things, lololol

Anonymous said...

Hi Traci,
I personally know that Traci would wear nothing but the wiccinest dress. And what is that, you may ask? Heck if I know. You have to ask her.
Patrice

Traci said...

Patrice is going to creat a brand new word here during our grocery store excursion! It what section would we find something to go with that Wiccanist dress? Candles...herbs...bananas? lol

Hara said...

Well, I'm not sure what Traci's shopping tunic looks like, but I like the 80's description. Though I have insider information that the tshirt would have Billy Idol on it rather than the sex pistols.

McKoala said...

Mm, passionate stuff.

I'm guessing it's a dressing gown. She shops on the internet.

Sorry, that's not very romantic, is it?!

Anonymous said...

Traci,
Your Wiccanist gown is perfect for selecting fresh herbs and fresh stockboys. Your lingering scent has had them following you around all day. Maybe it's time you went home to shower?
Patrice

Traci said...

Stock boys = yummy!!! I really like the idea of a tunic with Billy Idol on it, at his sexiest, with the drawn up lip and muscle curl in the arm?? ahhh. Those were the days.

Traci said...

PS - even though I write romance, I don't run around in feathered mules and dressing gown with trailing boa...I also don't go around pinching the er, canteloupes, hahaha. And I swear to God I stay away from the vegetable section, lol

Charles Gramlich said...

Surely there would be a 'crown' involved?

sam said...

sorry - can't see the gown - flip flops maybe, with something that reveals a quirky sense of humor rather than cleavage

and does she shop for groceries or wine?

would a cell phone attached to her ear count as an accessory?

and by the way - love the book - can't wait for more

Traci said...

Yes, Charles - absolutely a crown - let's call it a TIARA.
Tiaras are less intimidating than the crown, I think. And above all, when shopping, I want to be approachable, lol

Traci said...

Sheryl - lol. Naked, wearing flip flops, and shopping for wine while talking on the cell phone. These are the friends I have.

laughingwolf said...

i COULD ask me cuzzins, the werewuffs, if they could use a new 'runner', coat comes 'free' :O lol

Traci said...

I love puppies, lol - actually can't wait to see the new underworld - attack of the lycans!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the release, girl.

Now...a gown for Traci...hum? Let's see...
I'm thinking something with jeweled thin straps, deep cut in the back with a handkerchief hem around the ankles. A little bugle bead glitz and all in soft shades of periwinkle and maybe a little sea foam.

So Trace...how's I do? =)

Traci said...

ooh, Ames, I totally wanna wear that! I wish you were comin on the cruise!!!

Aleka Nakis said...

Oh, Traci. Just come out.
I saw you, and you can't deny it. You were doing all you could to get the discount.

Traci:
"PS - even though I write romance, I don't run around in feathered mules and dressing gown with trailing boa...I also don't go around pinching the er"

Yeah, right. What about that little excursion in NOLA? There may have not been a 'dressing gown', but there was certainly a 'trailing boa'!

What have you been telling these people?

Come clean, girl.

BTW: It wasn't fruit or veggies that she was squeezing and pinching.

Now THAT is more like it.

Traci said...

WHAT HAPPENS IN NEW ORLEANS STAYS IN NEW ORLEANS. Geez, isn't that writer's code or something????lol - honestly, I am just so glad that I kept my clothes ON.

McKoala said...

Did I say anything about mules and feathers? I'm talking candlewick.

Traci said...

All right, what is candlewick?

Chris Eldin said...

Hi Everyone, Sorry I'm a few minutes late....

Traci will pick a winner and post his/her name here in the comments, then the winner will contact Traci to make arrangements for a free gown.....err, I mean, book!
:-)


Thanks so much for dropping by and playing along. And thank you Traci, for being a wonderful author and hostess!!!
:-)

Traci said...

Thank you so much Chris - this was a ton of fun. Aleka is freaking hysterical...but she already has my books. Soooo if Laughing Wolf and McKoala want to contact me about a free book, I will pop them in the mail before I go on the cruise tomorrow - thanks guys!! And the grocery store thing...really people, its a sundress. i live in florida.
mwah!!!!
traciella@aol.com

Unknown said...

Well, this is a first for me. I have seen Traci shop and it's either a starbucks apron or her most lovely hybiscus mumu. Don't deny it, girl. I saw Greg eyeing it in your closet.....
Love your book!
Becky

darbyscloset said...

I spied Traci last week at the local A&P and she was stunning!! Her hair shined like it was streaked with gold, her cheeks were rosey and the gown she was wearing...oh my! The gown fell to slightly above the knee, showing off her gourgous legs and it just flowed all around her body, it wasn't a snug fit yet one that was just perfect for her stream line body. The gown was a light pink in color nd had a glimmer sheen to it, so as she moved she seemed to sparkle. The neckline was graceful, showing off her slender swan neck and because the gown was held in place by mere spagetti straps, she wore a slight shawl that looked like it was woven out of butterfly wings; all shades of blues, pinks and golds (which of course complimented her hair). Her silloutee shoes in light silver were a perfect accessory and matched the silver clip she wore in her hair. When ever Traci goes to the A&P, we all are immediately filled with joy to be in her presence!
Cheers!
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

Chris Eldin said...

Congratulations!!
:-)

And thanks again, Traci! Have fun on your cruise!!!
:-)

McKoala said...

Candlewick is a kind of towelling; it's not real glam!

Alas, I'm ineligible, because I'm a sous chef signed in under the wrong name (sorry, thought I'd be laughed out of the comments trail), but I'm sure Wolfie will love to get his teeth into some romance.

McKoala said...

And I'd like to add my thanks for a zany roast! You brought the spicy sauce today!

Chris Eldin said...

This was a test for the koala. She passed, though the temptation was strong.
;-)
hehehehe!

Sam said...

Hi Tracy! Loved the excerpt - sounds like a wonderful romance is in store for the reader!
Now, about the gown, I'm not sure if it's petal pink or peacock blue, I imagine it's long and has a little train that trails behind so that people don't crowd you in the check-out line, but I'm SURE that there is a feather boa that goes with it, as romance writers (tradition dontcha know) all have feather boas that shed little plumes behind, because (tradition dontcha know) romance writers live in the clouds, and sometimes forget where the kitchen is. (Follow the feathers!)

:-)

laughingwolf said...

thx traci, will write asap :D

laughingwolf said...

lol... just saw your comment mc :O