Stolen Time
Angela Rae Harris: Stories of Hope ~ Creating Dreams
The debut novella by Author Angela Harris
Tragedy has made Keaira wise beyond her twenty years. Forced to work for the General, a commanding man who blackmailed his way into her life, she was ordered to study self-defense and master knife throwing. In the hidden community of Shifters, falcons are considered weak, a fact which may ultimately save her life. To escape his cruelty, she will need to call
upon her quick-witted falcon side, but the General has other plans – ones which involve his only son, Carson.
When unexpected feelings form between Keaira and Carson, the General quickly moves his pieces into place, launching his quest to take over the world. If she wants to survive, Keaira must stay one step ahead in the General’s deadly game and discover his weaknesses. Even if it means risking her life and the lives of those she cares about most.
With war on the horizon, sides are being drawn. Deadly secrets must be exposed. Time is running out for Keaira and all of mankind.
Amazon / Amazon U.K. / Barnes & Noble / Smashwords / Goodreads
Excerpt #1:
Carson stuffed his hands into his front pockets to keep from touching her.
“Then maybe a movie?” After he said it, he felt his lips slip into a half smile.
Keaira laughed, and her eyes brightened.
“My first night back isn’t going to be spent in an uncomfortable chair, staring at a screen. Not being allowed to move or talk.”
Carson chuckled. She was turning out to be unlike any girl he had met.
“Then let’s hear your ideas.”
Stepping closer, Keaira raised her eyebrows. Her tongue darted out to moisten lips that had turned serious. She had to tilt her chin up to look at him by the time she stopped in front of him.
“I say we go to my favorite sports pub and have dinner. I know for a fact that there is a baseball game on tonight.”
She was so close Carson could smell mint on her breath. He closed his eyes for a minute and was greeted by his other half. His young mountain lion was calmly sitting in the darkness of his subconscious. Carson had inherited his family’s Shifter genes. He could change into the large cat at will. His kitty let out an irritated huff and circled before lying down with his back to Carson. Apparently, the cat wasn’t interested in Keaira. He didn’t raise any alarms, so Carson took that as a “do what you want” kind of message.
Opening his eyes, Carson refrained from leaning into Keaira. He met her gaze and then scanned her face. She stole his breath away when she bit down on her lower lip. Freckles dotted her cheeks and her nose, making her look more innocent than she acted. A striped white mark was visible just under her left eye. It was so white it could have been an old scar. Four lines that looked like a bird track in the white sand that was her pale skin. He felt his fingers ball up into fists in his pockets. The urge to feel how soft her skin must be was overwhelming.
Excerpt #2:
The house was quiet. Keaira figured everyone was still sleeping. She went outside and put her things in the Mustang’s trunk. She returned to the house but hesitated going back inside. Instead, she sat on the top step of the porch and looked out toward the Great Salt Lake. The early morning sun made the water shimmer. She scanned the valley from north to south, taking in the mountain range on the western horizon.
Nothing had changed.
As she breathed in the fresh air, Keaira closed her eyes to bring Shane’s face to the forefront of her mind. She missed him. She felt like she had not taken advantage of their time together. Instead of having moments like this, where they could enjoy the view and just being in each other’s company, she’d had to have her hands all over him. Not that she regretted at all what they had shared. She only wished she had more special, quiet moments with him to remember. She truly felt precious, shared time had been stolen from the two of them.
The screen door slammed shut, startling her. Keaira quickly turned toward the culprit as she stood.
If being surprised by the noise hadn’t pushed all air from her lungs, seeing the guy standing in front of her would have. Holy shit. He gave her a soft, friendly grin.
“Sorry I scared you.”
He gestured at the door and then extended his hand to her.
“I’m Carson. I guess I’m the lucky one who gets to show you to your apartment.”
Keaira stared at him. She felt like she was staring at a ghost. His brown hair was cut shorter than Shane wore his. This young man was taller, but they could have very easily been brothers. She slowly emerged from her shock and closed her mouth when she realized it had fallen open. She ran her tongue across her dry lips as she took Carson’s hand. He moved it up and down.
“Keaira,” she managed to spit out.
“Nice to meet you.”
She held onto his hand a bit longer than necessary. His face grew serious.
“You all right?”
Keaira’s breath left her in a ragged sigh. She tilted her head up and looked him in the eye. Damn it, even his eyes are the same color. This has to be some cruel trick. She looked away from his face, scanning his body. His t-shirt hugged his chest and arms. He wore carpenter-style jeans that were trim at the waist but baggy around his legs and his sneakers. Her hand dropped to her side.
“Sorry, you remind me of someone.”
She was surprised at how firm her voice was considering her heart had jumped into her throat.
Carson moved past her and sat down on the step she had just left. He crossed his arms and rested them on his knees.
“It’s nice out here this morning.”
Keaira sat down next to him, tucking her arms between her knees.
“You have an amazing view.”
“Just wait until you see your view.”
He looked over at her and grinned. Keaira’s chest constricted. She managed to return what she hoped was a smile.
“Whenever you’re ready, we can go,” Carson said.
“I’ll drive separately and lead the way, if that’s all right? I just didn’t want you to have to leave your car or bring me back.”
“That sounds like a plan to me.”
Her chest was still tight, but she was managing to enjoy the cute boy sitting next to her without shocking her system a second time. Maybe it was an instant attraction or maybe it was because her body had just gone numb.
“Is that your Mustang?” He pointed to the street.
“Rental. I’ll be looking for something more permanent after I get settled into my new job.”
Carson nodded, and they sat there enjoying the birds chirping for a few minutes. It wasn’t as awkward as it probably should have been. In fact, it was rather peaceful. Realizing she shouldn’t get too comfortable with the General’s son, Keaira broke the silence and stood, ready to go.
“Shall we?”
Carson stood as well and then turned toward the house.
“Let me just grab my keys and we’ll get going.”
He disappeared into the house. Before she could start sorting out her feelings he returned. She walked with him to the garage door which was slightly cracked open. He pressed a button on his keychain. The garage door rose the rest of the way. Even though there were three cars parked inside, she only saw the Nova.
“Wow, don’t tell me that’s your car?”
Carson touched the back panel and said, with a touch of pride, “It’s a hand-me-down.”
“And you actually drive it?”
Keaira circled to the passenger side, admiring the subtle changes in the dark-blue color as it hugged the curves of the frame. Unlike most racing stripes that ran parallel down the center of the car, Carson’s Nova had two lines horizontal on the hood and another pair on the trunk running from quarter panel to quarter panel.
“1969 fastback?”
She couldn’t keep her hands off the body of the car. She was in awe that he would have a ride like this. Somehow she pictured Carson in a more sensible car.
Carson rested his elbows on the trunk as he watched her admire his Nova.
“I’m impressed,” he said.
Keaira smiled. “Did you keep the original 375 under the hood?” She looked up at Carson. He had an amused look on his face.
“Nope. Swapped it for a 572 hemi.”
Keaira chuckled. “No shit. How about I drive this and you take the Mustang?”
Carson laughed. “I don’t think so. I might not get her back. How do you know cars so well?”
Keaira shrugged.
“I don’t know. I just like cars. Fast ones. They are more loyal than most boys.”
All boys, except my boy, really. She felt her smile fade as Shane’s face ghosted in the paint of the Nova and she stepped back.
Carson circled the car to stand next to her.
“I’ll tell you what. After we drop off your car I’ll let you take her out for a ride.”
“You’re incredibly trusting to let a stranger take your car for a joyride alone.” Keaira glanced at Carson before turning back to the Nova.
“Oh no. I’m going with you. Besides, it’s not like I don’t know where you live.”
Carson chuckled, and they both started walking to the front of the garage.
“I guess I can live with that. I’ll follow you out.”
Carson winked before turning his back and climbing into his car. He started to pull out of the driveway.
Keaira shouted at him.
“Take it easy on the throttle. I haven’t driven in this city for a while. I’ll get lost.”
He gave her a thumbs up as he idled at the bottom of the driveway. Keaira smiled to herself and realized she was starting a crush on the son of the devil. Oh well. She shrugged as she climbed behind the wheel of the Mustang.
Keaira knew Carson was holding the matches. And she couldn’t resist playing with fire.
Angela is an author, a wife, mother of two, and a part-time assistant office manager. She loves nights when her husband cooks. Her two kids keep her hopping and help her tap into her well of creativity and imagination.
At thirteen, Angela read Harry Potter and was reacquainted with books. She reads everything from Steven King to Will Hobbs. She started writing after her youngest was born. The characters started to visit and wouldn’t let her sleep until she wrote down their stories.
She'd love for people to get lost in her books.
Thank you for being part of the Stolen Time Blog Tour! It was a beautiful post! I hope your readers enjoy it!
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