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.
“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 café. 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.”
I like that excerpt. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteVery nice excerpt!
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