Monday, July 9, 2012

Spotlight: An Affinity for Shadows


An Affinity for Shadows
Liz R. Newman




Award-winning broadcast journalist Kate Theodore has it all under control, until she rushes to the scene of one of the greatest tragedies in American history in pursuit of the perfect story. Having pressured her cameraman into accompanying her, she feels responsible for his untimely death. Her guilt opens the door to transformation in a desperate attempt to rediscover her soul.
Brushing aside a chance meeting with a handsome Italian stranger, Kate soon becomes captivated by his charms, but he is a man whose heart is shrouded in secrets. Can she open her heart to the possibility of true love, or will she be lost forever to her past mistakes?
From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the lush gardens of a villa on the outskirts of Rome, An Affinity for Shadows is a decadent tale of love and rediscovery that will leave you spellbound.

Praise for An Affinity For Shadows
I enjoyed this well-written book and recommend it for a general audience. There are no offensive elements in it. I appreciated the insights the author gave into the lives of those directly affected by 9/11, and how many survivors of all kinds of disasters move "From Tragedy to Triumph," the title of a new show Kate pitches to her network - to feature strength and hope as a journalist, rather than presenting only the negative side of the news.
After reading this book I wanted to pack my bags - first to visit New York, an incredible city in any season, and then on to Italy, to find that very special villa and its handsome gardener, and to enjoy the splendid food described so vividly in "An Affinity for Shadows."
- Janet J for Readers Favorite
An Outstanding Great Read, this book should be at the top of your list...what a wonderful mind vacation!
- Coffee Time Romance Reviews

About the Author:
Liz R. Newman holds an MA in Clinical Psychology, and a BA in Mass Communications with a concentra-tion in Broadcast Journalism. Liz R. Newman worked as an intern at KTVU Broadcasting Station in Oakland, California.
Several articles by Liz R. Newman have been featured in magazines and journals such as San Francisco Socialite, Spirit Song, Highlights, Under A Harvest Moon, The Sacramento News and Review, Chic Mom Magazine, and Our USA Magazine.
Her second novel, The Last Day King, a Young Adult and Adult Mainstream Fantasy/Time Travel Romance and the first of The Mythic Royals Trilogy, has been contracted for publication by Gypsy Shadow Publishing, and will be available in 2012 in both paperback and ebook format in many fine bookstores and ebook stores. Upon release, booksellers may order the novel through Ingram and Baker & Taylor.
Liz R. Newman also contributes to several texts assisting children and adult survivors with domestic issues and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
An Affinity for Shadows holds the record for the most print books sold by Gypsy Shadow Publishing and was voted into the Top 10 for Best Print/Electronic Romance Novel in the Preditors and Editors Readers Poll.

Excerpt:
“Where to now?” she asked.
He sighed, words on the tip of his tongue he dare not say. “Coffee and cioccolata.”
“A good enough substitute.” She grinned. He placed his arm around her shoulders and they walked down the street to a sidewalk cafĂ©. He walked up to the counter and brought back two delicious plates of chocolate and vanilla panna cotta with blackberries on top, their purple sweetness oozing over the dark brown and white dome.
“What time is it?” Kate asked.
“Two thirty in the morning.”
“You’re joking. I had no idea it was so late. My watch is still set to New York time.”
“After two weeks of being in Rome?”
“Almost two weeks. My executive producer refuses to take my calls until I return. At least I can imagine what they’re doing while I’m gone.” She spooned another mouthful of panna cotta into her mouth. “When I come back to work, I’ll have a good idea of what is already done and I can begin implementing what needs to be done.”
“A good plan.” Sal took a sip of his coffee.
Kate wrung her hands in her lap. She had become ridiculously infatuated with him, like a girl on a first date, desperate for a first kiss and not wanting to show it. “Sal . . .” she said, “when we were on the yacht . . . I wondered if . . . perhaps, you were interested in me. Not just as a friend, but something more? In New York, I’m limited to my description of . . . love. Never have I believed love could be any more or any less than what fit in my previous definition.
Everything else about my life has fit a plan. My finances, my career choices, even my diet. A rigid schedule. A regimen. Love to me was no different. Except in Italy; where the very word to me means love, because you are here.” She took his hand in hers. His skin felt smooth, softer than expected. She curled her fingers around the outside of his hand, bringing it to her cheek.
“Kate, you are beautiful in so many ways.” He brought his hand back to the side of his coffee cup, clenching it into a soft fist. “But I fear your heart belongs to someone else, or something else. I am a pastime, like your vacation. You will leave. You will forget. For me, it is not so easy.”
“Why?”
“It is difficult for me to explain. The memory of you may be all I have left, for a very long time.”
“Is it because of what Marcellus tried to tell me?”
“Yes.”
“Will you please tell me the full story? Please. I think I deserve to know.”
Sal shook his head sadly. “No.”
Kate’s eyes tilted down toward her coffee cup, the cream inside swirling around like her thoughts. Steam rose from the hot beverage. “In New York, I bared my soul to you. I know I’m not imagining the . . . way you look at me. What’s holding you back . . . I deserve to know. I’m not going to beg you. You owe me an explanation. After all I have shared with you, you owe me this much.”
Sal wrapped Kate’s shawl over her arms and picked up his jacket. “Shall we go? It is very late.”
They remained silent on the ride back to the villa. Kate’s eyelids weighed heavy with drowsiness. She stole glances at Sal. Stone-faced as one of the statues in the garden, his eyes remained fixated on the illuminated road. He walked her to the door of her room, and said good night.
“Tomorrow,” Kate said to his retreating back.
“Yes, Signorina?”
“Take me to the most romantic place in the city of Rome.” she said.
He pondered her request. “After the work day, I will.” He strode toward her and looked into her eyes, gently kissing her on the forehead. “Good night, Signorina.”
She grabbed his tie and pulled him closer. “I had a wonderful time. Please. Can this night end like a fairy tale?”
He held her gaze, drinking in the nearness of her. In the darkened hall, he took her in his arms and kissed her. She ran her fingers through his hair, bringing him closer, melding his body to hers. He gently pulled away from her.
“No,” she whispered. “Don’t stop.” She brought his hand to her hip, and remembered what she wore underneath. Granny panties. She pulled his hand back up to her waist, drawing her face back. “Perhaps we should say good night.”
“We must remember as well, this is quite improper, Signorina.” He squeezed her to him one last time before turning away.
“Call me Kate,” she smiled.
“At your insistence,” he replied. “Good night, Kate.”

2 comments: