As part of the 'Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress' book blog tour hosted by The Bookish Snob Promotions, I have an book trailer from Christine Schulze to share with you all. You can find my review and links to where to purchase the book here.
Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress Excerpt from Chapter 1, "Curiosity"
"I pushed my hair behind my ear like I always did whenever I was very nervous and unsure what to say.
"Um..." I stammered.
"What is that?"
His voice turned suddenly sharp, and I realized the mistake I'd just made.
"Nothing," I said, trying to pull my hair back over my shoulder.
"Oh, no, you don't," he said firmly. "Look at me."
Reluctantly, I flipped the hair back and turned towards him.
I could see his green eyes flaring wildly as he hissed, "Who did this to you?"
"Aaryn, it's okay," I said quietly as I looked down at my lap.
"Okay? It most certainly is not. Now you tell me who's done this to you. Was it
Oric? If that jerk's come back, I'll--"
"Aaryn, it wasn't Oric," I said, looking up at him.
His temper calmed and melted into concern as he noted the sorrow in my eyes.
"Chrystine," he said gently. "Tell me. Who is it?"
I hesitated, then said softly, "It's my dad."
For a moment that seemed to last a very long time, he just stared at me. Then he said slowly, "Your dad?"
"Yes."
"How long."
"About two years."
More silent staring. He looked both shocked and struggling to keep his temper under control at the same time. "Sarah and Grace?"
"They know."
"Why didn't you ever tell me?"
The question didn't sound angry, but a touch of hurt tainted his beautiful voice.
"I was afraid of what you might do."
More silence. And then, "Is it very bad?"
"No," I lied. I dared not tell him it was getting worse.
"Isn't there somewhere else you could go?" "Where?"
"You could live with us," he said, and at first I was surprised, but his eyes showed his sincerity.
"No, I couldn't," I said softly.
"Yes, you could. I could talk to my parents. They'd understand."
I hardly knew what to say. Aaryn had always gone out of his way to protect me, but this...
"Please don't say anything," I said. "Not to anyone. If I decide otherwise, I'll tell you, but for now, please don't."
His flickering eyes reflected his struggle, but he said, "Alright, I won't do anything. For now."
Another moment of silence passed between us, and then it was followed by another moment that I shall never forget.
His earnest green gaze pierced into mine as he said softly, "If you ever need me, just call, and I'll be there. If he ever...if you're ever afraid that something might...happen, I'll be there to protect you."
I shivered as his hand crept up to caress my face. I shivered for two reasons: it was the first time he'd ever touched me, and his hand was unexpectedly cold. He suddenly withdrew as if reading my thoughts. He turned away and jumped up quickly.
"I have to get to class," he muttered.
"Okay," I said. "Do you want me to walk with you? Our class was pushed back an hour again."
"No," he said quickly, and a bit more harshly than usual.
I would have been offended by his harsh tone, but I could tell by that familiar scowl that he was annoyed with himself, not with me.
"No," he repeated more gently. "I'll be fine. See you tonight?" He smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
"Sure," I said and watched as he walked off. Then I sat staring at the wall for a few moments, trying to grasp what had just happened. Aaryn caressed my face, and it had sent a thrill to my heart. Yet it had also sent a chill through my skin; what could these things mean? Could the girls be right? Could he really like me? But why was he so cautious about touching me? Everyone had cold hands from time to time, I tried to reason. Mine were nearly always cold. And yet, his were cold in a somehow strange, unsettling way.
I broke out of my reverie as I felt the seat beside me; something smooth and cool lay beside me. I looked down. It was his leather jacket.
I don't know why I didn't think to wait to give it to him until the next day.
Something inside me just made me grab that jacket and spring off the bench, racing down the hall, hoping I could catch him in time.
I rushed outside; he was several yards in the distance already, but I knew he'd be able to hear me; he always did somehow, no matter how far away I was. One of his unique special abilities of course--heightened senses.
I called his name. As he stepped from the shade of the tree, he stumbled. As if seeing him falter wasn't jarring enough, the sprinkler he tripped over sprayed water all over him, and his white skin transformed into a brilliant shade of green. He came to a dead halt, stiff as stone. His face reflected anger at his blunder. Now I understood why he never wanted me to follow him in the rain--unless he carried an over-sized umbrella big enough for the two of us. The non-magical folk gawking at him would brush the transformation off as a "fairy or elf thing".
He stood still a few moments, as if contemplating what to do. He knew I'd seen him, of course. Then he smiled, but shadows stirred in his powerful green eyes; he had not intended for me to see him like this."
Ooo this is where Chrystine comes to realise there is more than meets the eye with Aaryn..well more than what she first thought anyway."
About Christine Schulze
Christine E. Schulze has been creating books since she was too young to even write them in words. Her collection of YA fantasy books, The Amielian Legacy, is comprised of series and stand-alone books which can all be read separately but which weave together to create an amazing fantasy. Her fanatsies also incorporate many other genres, such as Christian fantasy, romance, and even a spark of horror at times. She hopes to inspire readers throughout the world with these books by publishing in both traditional and electronic formats to make them available to all readers.
Christine has published several stories with Calliope and Kalkion magazines and is an active member of the WEbook online writing community. She has also published several Christian/fantasy books which are available at various online retailers, as well as publishing several eBooks via Writers-Exchange.
Her latest and most exciting venture includes her publications with Old Line Publishing: Bloodmaiden and Tears of a Vampire Prince: the First Krystine. She also anticipates her upcoming publication with Old Line, Lily in the Snow, as well as releasing The Chronicles of the Mira with Writers-Exchange in both paperback and electronic forms.
Christine currently lives in Belleville, Illinois in her first and most thrilling apartment.
Tomorrow's blog tour stop is with The Wormhole. Be sure to stop by!!
1 comment:
Great excerpt :)
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