BITTERSWEET
by Michele
Barrow-Belilse
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
To
save the Faery world and her mother’s life, seventeen year old Lorelei
sacrificed everything, and the dangerous bargains she made in Nevermore had
lasting repercussions. Now safely back in her own world, Lorelei seems the same
to her high school friends and her supernatural boyfriend, despite the dark
magic growing within her. Love across dimensions is complicated, especially
when an invisible veil between the two worlds is sealing, threatening to
separate Lorelei and Adrius forever.
Determined to find a
solution, Lorelei resorts to exploring her new found powers. But when her
friends fall ill, and her healing touch only makes things worse, Lorelei can’t
help but wonder if she's responsible.
Nightmares from the
Nevermore tighten their icy hold when someone arrives determined to destroy
Lorelei’s world, starting with those closest to her. Once again she’s forced to
choose between her family… her friends… and a love that was ill-fated from the
start.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt One:
“Stay. Just…. Stay.” The second I said it I felt awful. What
was I asking? I knew he couldn’t stay, that he needed to return to his world to
stay alive in mind.
Since the night of the dance we’d carefully stayed away from
discussing our little predicament. We were still at a standoff. He couldn’t
live in my world without magical aids to keep him alive, because of the toxic
nature of our polluted air, and I couldn’t go back to his world, because of a
bunch of angry beings trying to kill me. That left us here. He would have to
return to his world and refuel, to come back to mine. How long the potions
lasted depended upon how much stress he was under. Physical exertion, extreme
emotions all used up the reserve more quickly. Then there was the issue of his
still being tied to Venus, the daughter of the ice witch I killed. A curse had
caused his forced fealty to her. Killing the witch was not only supposed to save
Mythlandria from her destructive wrath, it was also supposed to free Adrius of
the curse that bound him to the ice witch’s commands. Who knew there was a
daughter who would take over the bonds, and that she was also his
ex-girlfriend.
Now she wants me dead in payment for killing her mother, and
as a bonus, I’d be out of the way so she could get Adrius back in her life.
That he could come here at all means the curse is weakening. I want his
freedom, but at which price? Was I willing to kill for it? I’d have to end her
life as well if I was going to destroy the bonds. And I wasn’t a killer. Even
Octăhvia’s death was more of an accident than intended. I had no idea what
awakening the magic would do, or how to wield it. This arrangement seemed like
our only option, for now. And while I hated to see him leave, there was
something comforting in being able to pretend that my life was normal again. As
normal as it ever was. I could enjoy being back home with friends and back at
school which surprisingly enough, I’d missed. It’s amazing how coming to the
edge of your life multiple times will make even the most mundane routines a
welcomed change.
“Think about what you’re asking me,” he said. “You know why
I have to leave.”
He watched me suck in a breath of regret, as I wished I
could take back my self-serving plea.
Pain creased his eyes. “Sleep soundly, Lorelei,” was all he
said. He kissed the top of my head and turned to go.
The tense set of his jaw revealed the effort it took to
leave. I watched him walk away, biting down on my lower lip until he reached
the driveway.
“How am I supposed to sleep?” My voice was almost too quiet
to be heard over the howling wind. But his hearing surpassed most mortal’s.
“Warm milk with honey works well,” he answered my whisper,
his back still facing me. “It helps with the night terrors too,” he added.
“You know that’s not what I meant.” I moved closer,
descending one step at a time until my bare feet hit the cold of the pavement.
Adrius froze. Electric pulses crackled between us.
“I was talking about sleeping without you. Here.”
“You’ve managed to do it before,” he said cautiously, the
strain of his resolve vibrating in his voice.
“I know. But—“
This was wrong. It was selfish. How could I ask him to stay,
when I know that leaving is what would keep him alive to return to me?
“I’m sorry. I’m being silly. It’s just I can’t—“
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
BIO
A dreamer at
heart, Michele Barrow-Belisle has always lived with one foot in this reality
and one foot in another, one of her own imagining. So it follows that she would
grow up to write about the characters from those enchanting worlds she knows and
loves so well. A fan of all things romantic, her young adult novels are
populated with scintillating witches, vampires and fey. Her bestselling debut book series Fire and
Ice (Faerie Song Trilogy) was optioned for a major motion picture this year.
Michele resides in southern Canada with her hubby and son who indulge her
never-ending obsession with reading, writing and most importantly…
chocolate.
SOCIAL MEDIA
LINKS
Website: www.michelebarrowbelisle.com (join my mailing list)
Facebook
Author Page:
www.facebook.com/authormichele
Facebook
Street Team page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/396189297153826/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MicheleBelisle
Pintrest: www.pinterest.com/micheley26
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/micheley26
Amazon Author
Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Michele-Barrow-Belisle/e/B00BVRJADY
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
The author
will be giving away a $10 Amazon/BN Gift Card.
Thanks for hosting!
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