Friday, October 11, 2013

Excerpt from "Celtic Knot" by Tammy Doherty

Today I'm offering an excerpt from my third novel, CELTIC KNOT. After reading it, be sure to leave a comment. Next Friday, I'll randomly choose one person from all the comments to win a FREE copy of 'Celtic Knot' - either print or eBook.

Excerpt:

Before Abby could respond to her daughter’s obvious infatuation with this stranger, the front door banged open and heavy footsteps rapidly crossed the store. A small grimace crossed Abby’s face before she could stop it. With a pang of shame she saw that the stranger noticed her sour expression. He turned away without comment.

“Where’s my girls?” a deep voice boomed.

“Boone!” Millie squealed and threw herself at him.

Boone caught up Millie, twirling her about in the open space in front of the counter. He set her down carefully before turning his attention to Abby.

“Abby, I been looking for you this morning. Thought maybe you would like to join me for breakfast.”

“Good morning, Boone.” Abby forced herself to be cordial. It wasn’t as if she didn’t care for Boone, just not the way he wanted her to. “I’m afraid Millie and I already had our morning meal.”

Pshaw,” Boone dismissed. “You couldn’t possibly have eaten yer fill.”

For a split second, Abby felt grateful to God. The feeling passed quickly. “Oh, but we did eat our fill and then some. We shared breakfast with the Stantons.”

This time Boone frowned. “The preacher’s family? What you doing over there?”

“Jennifer and Millie are friends, if you must know.” What she really wanted to say was that it was none of his business.

Out of the corner of her eye, Abby saw the stranger make his purchase and move to leave the store. He politely pretended not to hear the conversation even though he was less than three feet away. At the same time, Boone became aware of the man’s presence.

“You,” Boone pointed. “You new in town?”

“Could say that,” Kyle answered vaguely.

“Ya’ are, or ya’ could say that, which is it?”

“Both, I reckon.”

“Look, mister,” Boone stood toe to toe with Kyle, their eyes level with one another. “I’m the law in these here parts an’ it’s my job to know about newcomers to town. An’ I ain’t partial to your wiseacre answers.”

“Well, I guess that makes us even, ‘cause I’m not partial to your lewd, nosy attitude.” Kyle held Boone’s gaze, as if daring the other man to make something of his answer.

Boone stared back, unblinking. He wouldn't back down from a stare-off. Most cowpunchers either worked for Raymond Bigelow or were just passing through Prophecy. Bigelow hands generally knew their place when it came to Boone Warren. Rambling men were naturally intimidated by Boone’s large size and the way he carried himself. This man was quite obviously not intimidated or impressed.

Tension thickened the air as each man waited for the other to back down. Abby noticed that while Boone’s gun rested in its customary place at his hip, the stranger was unarmed. If Lachapelle noted this fact he made no sign that it mattered. And though she well knew how apt Boone was with his fists, she began to wonder if perhaps this newcomer might be able to best him in a fight. She wasn’t willing to find out the answers to any of these questions.

“That’s enough,” she scolded sharply. “I’ll not have such a show of childish violence in front of my daughter.”

Even the sharpness in her voice did not break the staring match. Abby frowned and forced herself between the two men, shoving Boone backwards. He broke eye contact with Lachapelle and turned his gaze to her.

“I’m ashamed of you, Boone Warren.” Her voice was quiet, yet forceful. “You really must learn your manners.”

He dipped his head as if apologizing, but only to Abby and only for a moment. His anger was barely veiled as he looked again at Lachapelle. “Make sure you're on your best behavior when in my town. I don’t tolerate any hooliganism. Understood?”
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Be sure to leave a comment with your email or contact information. And if you'd like to see what I envision the characters and locations look like in CELTIC KNOT, check out my Pinterest board for the novel: http://www.pinterest.com/tdinishowen/celtic-knot/ I'd love to connect with you on my Facebook author page, too!

Don't want to wait to start reading CELTIC KNOT? Download it now for $3.99 at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or for other eReaders check out Smashwords.

29 comments:

  1. This excerpt had me wanting more! I can't wait to read it! a_stonecipher@yahoo.com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words :-)

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  2. I like the excerpt, and I like your pinterest page too--lots of great pics. sheiladeeth at gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks Sheila! I find having something to picture as I write helps me connect with the characters and story. Then I figured, why not share that with my readers!!

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  3. I am so happy to see this book! I read the other ones and have been hoping there would be more coming.

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    1. Oooh, Patsy, you make an author very happy with these words!! I hope you enjoy this one too :D

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  4. I loved the excerpt. Celtic Knot sounds very appealing. I haven't read the previous books in the series, but this one sounds good. Thank you for offering a copy.
    may_dayzee(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Kay. It's not necessary to read these novels in order, though I hope you'll read all three :D Good luck in the drawing for the free books and don't forget you can get the first two free - special ends tomorrow at 4 am, so be sure to grab the coupon codes on the previous post (interview with Millie) and use them at Smashwords.

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  5. Loved the excerpt, Tammy! And - Julie Lessman's recommendation makes it even better!
    Haven't read any of your books, but would love to - thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Bonnie. I'm thrilled to have Julie's support as I love, love, love her books and think she is the most wonderful person. I hope you enjoy my books. There's still a few hours left to get the first two for FREE! (see the previous post, with the character interview, for details)

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  6. Oh this sounds so good! I wanted to keep reading! ~Irish~
    lpakelly@yahoo.com

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    1. Thank you for visiting, Teresa. If you don't win the free copy, it's only $3.99 eBook. And there's still a few hours left to get the first two for FREE! (see the previous post, with the character interview, for details)

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  7. I am always excited to read a book by an author I have never read before :)

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    1. Love your willingness to try new authors! I'm thrilled you stopped by to check out me and my novels. There's still a few hours left to get the first two for FREE! (see the previous post, with the character interview, for details)

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  8. Loved the part I read, downloaded the sample on amazon, but would love the whole book.
    Loved your pinterest wall too.
    Linda Finn
    faithfulacres7@gmail.com

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    1. Thank you, Linda. I'm very happy you dropped by to check out my novel...and my Pinterest board!

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  9. I absolutely love books about Ireland, the Irish, or Celtic.... Just reading the title makes me think it might be headed up my alley, that and the western sounding excerpt.
    You are a new author to me and I'd love to give your stories a whirl. Thanks for the giveaway!
    Blessings!
    Jasmine A.
    montanamade(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you for visiting, Jasmine. I'll admit that CELTIC KNOT has the least bit of Irish-ness to it, but it's in there. You might enjoy CELTIC CROSS, too, my first novel, which has a lot more Irish and Gaelic in it.

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  10. one little excerpt and I'm hooked!
    dutchbunny5@yahoo.com

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  11. Thank you so much, Beckie, for such encouraging words! I'm glad you dropped by to check out my novel. Blessings!

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  12. Tammy, I just finished reading Celtic Cross. It was fabulous! I don't know what took me so long to read it. Perhaps it was because of the ten million other books hanging out at my house waiting to be read! Lol! I downloaded Claddaugh and will definitely be reading it soon and Celtic Knot! Thanks for a great read! Madge :)
    Jasjax4@aol.com

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    1. You're welcome, Madge. And thank you, for sharing your enjoyment. Makes all the writing worthwhile to hear readers like the stories!! Can I ask a favor? If you have a moment, go to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and/or Smashwords and post a review. That helps tremendously :D
      Blessings, Tammy

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    1. Thanks for stopping in for a visit, Dora! And for sharing on Facebook about this post :D

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  14. You've got my interest....the "air" fairly snapped with tension with that stand off.
    mandn@wisper-wireless.com

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    1. Thank you for visiting :-) and glad to hear I caught your interest! I

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  15. Oooh, nothing like two men act like fools to set a girl off. Got to wonder who Kyle is and why he's in town. Great excerpt to hook us in, Tammy. :-)

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