Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Book Excerpt - A Perfect Secret by Donna Hatch


  
Title: A Perfect Secret

Author: Donna Hatch

Release date: November, 2013

Genre: Historical Romance

Tour: Irresistible Reads Book Tours


Book Description:
Desperate to protect her father from trial and death, Genevieve breaks off her engagement with Christian Amesbury and marries a blackmailer. After a year of marriage, she flees her husband's violent domination only to have fate bring her back to Christian. Just when she thinks she's started a new life of safety and solitude, her husband tracks her down, stalks her, and threatens everyone she loves.

Still brokenhearted over Genevieve's betrayal a year ago, Christian can't believe she's come back into his life--and worse, that she's done it on the anniversary of his brother's death, a death that haunts him. Though tempted to throw her back into the river where he found her, he can't leave her at the mercy of the terrifying man she married.

When her husband torments Genevieve and puts his family in danger, Christian will do anything to protect those he loves...anything except give Genevieve another chance to break his heart.


Book Excerpt

Excerpt from A Perfect Secret by Donna Hatch ©Donna Hatch

Christian floundered in the numbing cold as rapids overcame him, pulling him down into a world of brown-green water. Shafts of light glimmered over his head. He battled toward the surface, only to be dragged under again before he got a breath. His lungs screamed for air as mortal terror threatened to swallow him. He could die. Here. Now. He would never atone for his transgressions.
No. He would not die. Not today. Not for a long, long time.
With renewed determination, Christian forced stiffened muscles into smooth strokes and shot upward. As his head broke through, he drew air into starved lungs. With the roar of the river deafening him, he looked wildly around for the woman. Nothing. He refused to give up. He had to save her. The river widened and slowed, no longer lethal in its current. Still treading water, he continued searching the surface.
There. A bit of cloth. He launched himself toward it and reached out. His fingers closed over something, but they were too numb to identify what, exactly, he’d caught. As he made a fist and pulled, a solid form sailed toward him. Towing the mass behind him, he ordered his numbed limbs to move him toward the riverbank. The moment his feet gained purchase on firm ground, he pulled harder, hauling the shapeless object toward him. His feet slipped and he fell to his knees. He glanced back. A feminine shape floated facedown and unmoving, her hair spread out around her like a dark halo.
Christian wrapped his arms around the woman’s torso and scrabbled up the slippery riverbank, hauling her limp body with him. He slipped in the mud and fell heavily, dropping the woman. Unwilling to yield, he put one arm around her waist and pulled her with him as he struggled upward, then collapsed on the muddy grass. The woman lay motionless beside him. He pushed on her back, hoping to force out the water in her lungs. No response. He’d heard of sailors reviving drowning victims by rolling them over a barrel. He looked around for a fallen log to serve as a substitute but found none. Again, he pushed on her back, harder. Nothing. He pulled her across his knees and pounded on her back between her shoulder blades.
“Breathe!”
Nothing. He pounded again. Dismay curled in his stomach. He’d failed to save her.
Finally, she retched, coughed, and drew in a ragged breath. Very carefully, he turned her over. His heart, that long-frozen organ, gave a painful lurch that hit him like a fist to his gut. His breath rushed out of him.
“Genevieve?” he gasped.
She’d dramatically changed. Still, he’d know her anywhere. No one forgot the girl who broke his heart and ran off with another man.


About the Author:
I've had a passion for writing since the age of 8 when I wrote her first short story. During my sophomore year in high school, I wrote her first full-length novel, a science fiction romance. I wrote my second novel during my senior year, a fantasy romance. Needless to say, English and Creative Writing were always my favorite subjects. Yes, I'm a total grammar geek! In between caring for six children, (7 counting my husband) I manage to carve out time to indulge in my writing obsession, with varying degrees of success, although I write most often late at night instead of sleeping. And yes, all of my heroes are patterned after my husband of 21 years, who continues to prove that there really is a happily ever after.

Official Website: http://donnahatch.com/


Tour Giveaway:

Prize: 10USD Amazon Gift Card

 
Tour Schedule


Schedule: http://bit.ly/1dVg5Qj





3 comments:

  1. Thank you for hosting my book on your site!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love this book. Christian always interested me in the other two books so great to see his story . Any rough idea when Grant will get his story told ?

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  3. Love the plot. I hope Christian and Genevieve get a happy ending :)

    ReplyDelete