Please welcome author Charlene A. Wilson!
Bitten by Paranormal Romance blog post by Cole and Mianna. May 18th, 2012
Thank you so much for having us here today. I had a time choosing which character would get to introduce the Chronicles. Cole and Vincent got into a heated argument over it and James chimed in, stating that in light of the circumstances, he was the only level-headed one and should get the honor. So…
Charlene is an author of paranormal suspenseful tales that sweep you away to other dimensions. She weaves magic, lasting love, and intrigue into multi-layered story lines to immerse you into the lives of her characters.
Introduction to the Chronicles of Shilo Manor
Cherubim added to Cole’s irritation as they stared at him
from the foyer walls. They seemed to
mock his annoyance, their content smiles and chubby cheeks frozen in white
marble. And how could the sculptor have
the gall to add a permanent sparkle in those eyes? He scowled at the statuettes and beat his
heals on the hardwood floors with deliberate cadence. His stride echoed through the heights. If the cascading chandelier would have quaked
from the disturbance, the action would have made up for the wretched countenances.
A gentle melody touched him and he paused. Stepping to the parlor entrance, he waved a
finger to nudge it open a notch. It
silently swung and he peeked inside the dim room. A narrow band of light splashed across the wall-sized
bar. The bottles seemed to assess him in
a variety of muted hues, standing proudly on the gold-trimmed shelves. Deep shadows stretched from the nearby
leather chairs and rose as if to try to hide the lower half of the large hearth
on the far wall. Cherry wood braced the
marble mantle, swirls dug into the material like thick claws artfully played
there. The portrait of his father hung above
it and filled the space, leaving only room for the cherubs to peak over the
edges from along the ceiling.
Mianna’s voice preceded her movement. “Hello, my new friends. Charlene has asked me to take a moment and
talk about Cornerstone
Deep.”
A smile touched Cole’s lips and he folded his arms, leaning
against the doorframe.
“I’m very pleased that she has chosen me to introduce you to
my world. Naming the first three books
of the Chronicles of Shilo Manor series after
my dimension is a great honor. Thank
you, Charlene.”
Realizing she practiced her speech for the Bitten by Paranormal Romance
blog, his irritation ebbed. Who better
could Charlene have chosen to perform the task than a daughter of an Arylin
colony of Terra? His argument with
Vincent over the matter now humored him.
And the hot-headed runt had even blown up half the lab in the attempt to
secure the honor. James’s
uncharacteristic anger at the act was evident in the way he whipped his hand to
send the elements back into place.
Mianna’s dark hair flowed past her shoulders in long waves
and gently brushed her back. The eyes
that he could never deny peered up at the portrait as if it held the
audience. Soft bow-tie lips smiled as
she spoke.
“Actually, Cornerstone Deep is the formal name for
Terra. It’s the position we hold in the
spectrum of planes. As you know, a
cornerstone a vital part of any building or structure. In this case, you could think of an arch. It begins and ends with a cornerstone supporting
each base. The meridian cap joins with the
midway sections to make the structure. And
yes, we have dimensions called Meridian Summit
“As Sentinels, Cole, James, and Vincent keep watch over
Terra. Being from Meridian, they have
special abilities. It’s a gifted plane, where
they’ve advanced to the point of manipulating the elements. We call them wizards—at least those of us who
know of their natures. They’re very
familiar with rebirth, and even though they lose their soul mates to death,
they are able to find them again and continue progressing together.”
A flush heated Cole’s face and he lowered his gaze. Shame hit him as she continued her
speech.
“Well, at least that’s how it should have worked. For some reason, they didn’t believe
reincarnation existed here. So… When I died, four hundred years ago…” She glanced down and her hands dropped to her
side. A sigh breezed past her lips. “Sweet Arylin, Goddess of Love. How do I share this?”
Lifting from his lean, Cole stepped into the spacious
room. His strides whispered on the plush
carpet until he took her in his arms.
She peeked up at him.
“Cole. How am I supposed to let
the readers know how you never expected to find me? I can’t tell them about Lord Dressen’s order…that
you bound my soul.” She turned in his arms
and her dark blue gaze met his. Her
soul’s call washed over him in waves.
Every fiber of his being wished he could change the fact. Had he the power, he’d turn back time and
erase the events that catapulted the Chronicles
of Shilo Manor series into existence.
He cupped her face in his palm and his tone held regret. “I caused you such harm, my love. Such pain.
Your will, your life…” He shook
his head. “I will do anything to correct
my wrong. Anything to get you back.”
“Lord Dressen won’t let that happen. And with the gift you gave him he has the
power to make sure of it.”
The words stung, but resolve burned in his soul. “The Lords of Terra, the Gods of Cornerstone
Deep, nobody is going to stop me.”
Her fists bunched his shirt and the weight of it tugged on
his back. “And I don’t care what’s taken
from me. My soul will always be
strong. That I promise.”
Eternity echoed in his heart and he knew it was true. Nothing could destroy what they had, keep
them apart. Not even an Earth-bound,
sadistic author named Charlene A. Wilson.
Author Links
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Chronicles of Shilo Manor
“We walk this world among you, beside you, loving you.”
Book one
Cornerstone
Deep - blurb
It's
their nature - long lives and rebirth. They're from another dimension, one
gifted with advance abilities, but they serve in Cornerstone Deep. They're the
Wizards of Shilo Manor.
They
outlive the mortals of this realm by thousands of years, and when it comes to
love the cruel fact is reinforced. Reincarnation doesn't exist on this plane.
They lose their wives to death with no hope of reuniting. Yet they continue to
accept others for whatever time they have together. Save for Cole. His love for
his last wife still burns in his soul four centuries after her death.
When
the service they render to the noblemen of Cornerstone Deep brings him face to
face with Anna, something unexpected happens. In a realm of silent souls,
hers calls to him. He responds with a kiss—one that joined with the spell
of servitude she inhaled, binds her soul.
Breaking
ancient covenants, angering the lords, and bringing the gods' wrath upon him,
Cole tries desperately to undo his wrong and free his love—despite the
determination of the nobleman to keep her.
~ * ~
“My life is a mirage of endless time. But you in this moment engulf
me, rivet my mind, encompass my soul.”
Book two
Cornerstone
Deep Echoes - blurb
Mianna’s
return heals Cole’s soul and he promises to follow her for the rest of his
existence. But the past isn’t what he
believes. The fight for her has only
begun.
Lord
Dressen’s obsession grows as unexpected knowledge is revealed. His search for Mianna has spanned six life
times and he won’t give up now. The
courts stand behind him. Power pulses
through his veins. Determination peeks
and not even Cole Shilo can stop him. He
will win his prize.
Struggling
to stay ahead, Cole’s anger explodes.
Nothing is sacred when it comes to keeping his love—not even covenants
made with gods. But, through all his
efforts, lofty or damned, the truth remains.
Will echoes of another life cause him to fail?
~ * ~
“Every breath you take is a song to my soul.”
Cornerstone Deep excerpt
Cole clutched at the crystal vase as he headed down the
hall. Even though logic told him Anna’s true identity would be hidden, he
couldn’t harness his anticipation at the thought of getting to know her.
Instincts revealed a shadow of her personality. And that was enough to start.
The noonday sun’s rays poured through the window and filled
her guestroom with warmth. His heart immediately wrapped around the serene
setting, and he smiled as he set the gathered roses on the table. He glanced at
the bed. It was empty. “Anna?”
He cautiously stepped
to the bathroom and peered inside the open door.
Anna looked up from her seat at the vanity. Her gown
lay at her feet and she held a folded
towel on her lap.
“Are you okay?”
“Where’s Clair?”
Cole glanced to the side. Clair? Recollection lighted
his mind. Dressen’s assigned aide. He returned his gaze and consciously made an
effort to keep his eyes from wandering her unveiled body. “Clair’s not here.”
She looked at the bathing area. “Clair told me not to run a
bath. She’s supposed to help me.”
“I see.” He pulled the curtain to the tub aside. “You can
take a shower. It won’t flood the room. Just don’t stop the drain as for a
bath.”
He turned the faucet on, selecting a comfortable
temperature. “Just—take a shower instead—of a bath.” He cringed at his poorly
executed statement, but his nerves danced at her exposure.
She stood and set the towel on the vanity.
He averted his eyes but his peripheral vision betrayed his
intention. Heat flushed his skin and his muscles tightened. He took a deep
breath. He hadn’t expected this. A sleepy awakening, a presenting of flowers,
mild conversation, but not this.
She gingerly stepped inside and Cole pulled the curtain
behind her. He sighed, closing his eyes. How awkward. His attraction to
her was too strong to begin their acquaintance in the nude. I’d better
leave.
She pulled the curtain aside and blinked back at him.
He threw his gaze at the unexpected action. Sprinkles of
water sparkled on her skin. His flush deepened and his voice cracked. “Is—Is
something wrong?”
“If Clair isn’t here to help me bathe, are you?”
His stomach knotted. “You want me to help you bathe?”
“She said I did it wrong.”
An insecure breath passed his lips as the urge to join her
flew through him. Calm down. Think rationally. He retreated, knowing
this situation would lead to something he would regret. His desire goaded him
and want pulled his gaze down her petite form. Wrong thing to do. Anticipation
pooled in his stomach.
Glancing away, he briefly considered the options. He felt
her attention on him, innocent, unyielding.
Don’t look down. He hesitated then locked his eyes to
view her cherubic face. Again, wrong thing to do. The pull that had
called to him in the alley nearly overpowered him. He took a deep breath,
clenched his teeth then focused on the waterfall above her head. He turned the
lever to lighten the flow and smiled. “Better?”
She turned and her shoulder brushed his chest, dampening his
shirt with the warmth. He swallowed hard at the pulse that flew from her touch
to his core. The weight of his gaze seemed to force him to view her bare back.
The gentle slope of her waist. The roundness of her firm
buttocks.
God, Anna. He wanted to take every part of her.
Regardless of the consequences. Temper this. He’d controlled himself
under more pressing circumstances. He could do this—hold to his
conviction to keep her safe. All he had to do was remember
the possible harm. No joining, and he wouldn’t allow her to complete the spell.
He grimaced at the thought. Mianna handled it fine. But in Anna’s state, he
wondered. What would it do to her if she performed it on a wizard, anyway? She
wouldn’t be prepared for the experience. The shock could be traumatic, even
harmful. He set his mind. It would not come to that.
She turned back to him and it nearly destroyed his
conviction. Her full breasts gleamed with moisture, her nipples taut as the
water splashed over them. She looked at him with question.
He cleared his throat and stepped in, fully clothed.
“Um, Anna?” He couldn’t keep his gaze from following the
water flow down her body. The heady ignition of lust hit him. His heart thumped
against his rib cage. His blood pooled deep in his groin.
He cleared his throat again, and decided to forgo any
conversation. His mind couldn’t make intelligent conversation if he had to. He
reached for the soap. It slid silkily up her arm. He
watched it leave a glistening trail as he led it over her
collar and to her chest. Biting his lips together, he inched the suds down
around the curves of her breasts. “We don’t need to rush
this.” His whisper came before he realized he’d spoken.
She closed her eyes and leaned her head back as her body
relaxed.
Her acceptance fueled his desire and control waned. One
touch. He held his breath and let the sweet lavender soap slip from his
hand. Suds washed away. Gently cupping her breast, he lifted it to torture his
thirst. Take it. His lips parted. Only a taste. A moment to remember.
Only to sedate the craving.
All restraint fled. He pulled her to him. His conscience
offered weak rebuke. Too much. He paid no heed. His hand slipped down
her hip and around to her inner thigh. All the time he’d dreamed of their love,
their hunger for each other, condensed in that moment of need. Holding her
threw him to years long-past. To their love, their union and consummation. He’d
never experienced anything as pure since Mianna, and he instantly became lost
in her. It was intoxicating.
He brushed his lips to meet hers with an eager kiss. Water
cascaded through their hair, drumming a mesmerizing rhythm. Cole leaned her
against the shower wall and lowered his body to brush along hers. Wrong
thing to do! She pressed into his movement.
“Oh, God. I want you.” His heated breath bathed the dip of
her neck. His tongue swirled the water from her skin.
She cried with delectation. Sweet breaths pleaded for more.
Her leg rose to his hip and restraint drowned. Want raged at her offering. I
can stop it before the spell takes effect. I can break the
symbol when it’s formed. I can…
Anna’s hands flew to his back. Fingers and thumbs met. Stop
now! The symbol is formed. His hunger, unquenched, became ravenous. A growl
ripped from his chest.
She took a deep breath.
You must stop it now!
Anna cried, “Unsigh,”
The spell began its charge through him with a surge. In a
fit of forced severing, he pushed himself away and broke the triadic symbol.
“Colhart!”
He shuddered as he braced himself against the ledge of the
tub. He clenched his jaw to repel his intense craving. “God, Anna.” He spoke
through his teeth, his voice barely audible.
He wiped a hand down his face and looked up at her rapturous
countenance. Waves of euphoria echoed from her as she slowly slid to the bottom
of the tub, panting sighs of pleasure.
His senses drowned in the emotions emitted.
Cole grunted to vent his arrest. That was too close.
This couldn’t happen again.
~ * ~
Cole trudged down the hall of the east wing. Trails of water
followed every step and his boots squished with tiny bubbles from the saturated
soles. His black hair hung over his face and clung to his head and neck. He set
an uneasy course to his room.
James trotted down the stairs to the second landing and halted
with a look of disbelief. “Wh—what happened to you?”
Cole released a heavy sigh. “Dear, God, James. Anna
wanted a bath.”
James seemed to struggle to hold back his chuckle, but it
burst out anyway. “Don’t tell me. You helped her take a shower—in your
clothes.”
He scowled. “I knew I’d do more than what I did if I
hadn’t.”
“And,” James crossed his formidable arms, “Did the clothes
help?” His hardly concealed his mirth.
Cole looked to the side. “Barely.”
“You know, there’s nothing wrong with being with her. But
I’d be careful with her performing Mianna’s spell. In her condition, use of it
on a wizard could be too much for her.”
“My thoughts exactly. But, do you realize how much control
it took to stop it when it got to that point? Even with,” he held out his wet
arms, “this I was lucky to end it when I did.”
James lowered his gaze and pursed his lips. “I see.”
Cole’s demeanor softened. “Besides, I know she’s only
responding to my touch. It’s all instinctive. I want it to be more than that.”
He shook his hands, causing his sleeves to
flap around his arms. “I need a drink.”
“Well, you’re getting the carpet all wet.”
He scoffed. “I’m really worried about the carpet right now.”
With a grin, James fanned his hands. Cole’s saturated wear
snapped into crisp threads as the water evaporated and left him dry.
He smoothed his hair with his hands, combing the strands
with his fingers. “Thanks.”
“You’d better put off that drink. We
have company.” James set his hands at his waist. “It seems Elaina’s sister is here
for a visit.”
Despite his condition, Cole immediately
registered the threat. “What?”
“That’s right. I’ve already sent Elaina
to talk with her in the parlor, and Vincent is pacing the study. I was running you
down to join us. You didn’t answer my call.”
Cole glanced at his watch. Dry now, but
surely soaked from the shower when James tried to contact him.
James turned for the stairs. “And Cole,
she might already know about our nature.”
A glower crossed his face and he
followed his brother.
Upon entering the study, Cole quickly
took his seat. “Eko silyst.”
James flew his hand over the Utopian.
Vincent paced the length of the room
jaw set and fists clinched, sparks crackling along his fingers.
“Sit down, Kid. Don’t lose it.”
~ * ~
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ReplyDeleteEveryone, be sure to enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway above for a chance to win Cornerstone Deep and printables. I'm glad you're here!
Charlene
I am really intrigued. Thanks for the excerpt and the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting Jen. I'm glad you like it. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd the winner of the PDF copy of Cornerstone Deep, printable bookmarks of Cornerstone Deep and CD Echoes, and a series banner is Amanda V.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Amanda! I'll be in touch with you shortly.
Thank you, everyone, for stopping by to visit and check out the Chronicles. Have a wonderful week, and may your dreams be magical.
Charlene