Miracles happen at Christmas. People are more generous with giving and help others. Tempers are stilled as strangers reach out to share blessings with others. Then there are the true miralces of homes spared and lives recovered. It's a season which brings out the best in all of us. Inkspell is very excited to share this new release with you. Once and Forever will show you the power of redemption and love. Eden, a nun, is constantly struggling against her dark past of living on the streets, and her attraction to Trace, an ex-convict farm worker. After a twelve-year separation, Eden is finally reunited with her brother, Thomas, but why hadn’t she reached out to him in all those years? As Eden and Trace grow closer, confessing their pasts to each other, will they be able to resist getting too close? Excerpt “Eden,” he whispered against her lips, and moved his hand to touch her hair. But her hair was covered. They both stopped at the same moment. He never called her just Eden, not since she’d first come here, before she’d officially entered the convent. She was always Sister Eden to him. They held eye contact for several seconds. Then he stepped back, as far from her as he could get in the small room. “I’m so sorry. Please…” “It’s my fault.” Her voice seemed to barely want to work. She broke eye contact and happened to look lower. He quickly held his hand over his groin, pushing his erection down. The other hand was still barely gripping the towel. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I don’t know what I was thinkin’.” “I shouldn’t have… My Vows.” “You didn’t do anything wrong. It was me.” She made eye contact. “I kissed you back.” Then she added, “They’re not your vows; they’re mine.” “Please don’t blame yourself.” In his voice, there was something raw underneath, like the pain of a burn that goes down to the bone. “I’m sorry, Trace.” She turned, walked down the hall and quickly up to her room. As soon as the door closed, she fell to her knees, more of a collapse than kneeling to pray. But she prayed anyway. “Please, Father, forgive me. Please. I’m so sorry. Please don’t let him blame himself.” A tear fell down her cheek. “He has enough pain. Please, Father, don’t let me add to it.” He never spoke of himself, his past, but she’d always known he carried intense pain around with him, like a weight tied to his neck. It was as if she could feel it herself, just from looking him in the eye or even being near him. She prayed for hours, more like begging. Everything was quiet. All except her constant prayers. Eventually, she fell asleep on the floor. Pick up this book in time for the holidays! |