Featured Book:The Redemption of Micah by Beth Williamson

Plum Creek, Colorado 1875

ONCE UPON A TIME, THEY LOVED EACH OTHER

Nothing about the room that Eppie awakens in feels like home—not the furnishings, the ill-fitting clothes, or the Colorado sunlight streaming in through the windows. And certainly not the stranger with long dark hair and silver eyes who claims to have been waiting for her for three long years.

Micah Spalding has spent each day hoping that Eppie would open her eyes and return to him. Yet the Eppie he loved was spirited and outspoken—utterly different to this reserved, aloof woman. Since her injury, Eppie has no memory of Micah or their daughter, or of a passion that was powerful enough to defy every convention. And though his scent and touch trigger something deep within her, Eppie can’t bring herself to believe in him.

Once, when war between his countrymen had almost broken him, Eppie brought Micah back to life. Now he must find a way to reach through the distance between them and remind her of everything they once shared, and prove that he has belief enough for both of them…

Buy it

A little Behind the Scenes info about The Redemption of Micah

“This is the second book in a three book series centered around Plum Creek, Colorado. Micah cropped up in The Education of Madeline (the first book) and he became such a wonderful character that I needed to write his story. Then there is the forbidden romance between him and Eppie, Madeline’s mulatto best friend. This is a rough, gritty story with plenty of emotion and redemption.” ~ Beth

Reviews

“The characters are both flawed human beings, but they’re wonderfully endearing. The fast-paced story touches the heart.”

Romantic Times Book Reviews, 4 Stars for THE REDEMPTION OF MICAH
“…an exciting historical romance starring two strong but flawed lead characters and a strong support cast…Fans will enjoy this entertaining profound historical tale in which a Miracle is the only hope for this family to come together.”
Harriet Klausner on THE REDEMPTION OF MICAH

Enjoy an Excerpt

She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, as the scent of booze and despair washed over her. It appeared as though she was right—he did have a dark side that he hid in front of her and Miracle. The dark side should frighten her, but somehow, it didn’t. It drew her in.

“Micah?”

He didn’t move but a sigh bubbled to his lips. “Eppie, love, I made a mistake.”

The word “love” made a shiver crawl up her spine. It was the same as in her dreams, the same inflection and depth. Perhaps she’d been remembering rather than dreaming as suspected. Did that mean she and Micah had been intimate lovers? Had she truly been in love with this broken man?

The setting sun made a halo around him, making his light brown hair into a fiery mass of gold and orange. She couldn’t quite made out his expression, but no doubt it was as sad as the atmosphere in the room. As she stepped closer, she started to make out details, such as the scar on his left arm and the larger one on the right side of his chest. He appeared to be a mass of scars, both inside and out, although muscles criss-crossed his thin body, belaying the appearance of thinness.

“What mistake?”

He turned and smiled, relaxed for the first time since she’d opened her eyes. “I forgot why I didn’t drink.”

Eppie had been afraid she’d find him a sobbing mess, instead he seemed calm and approachable. It knocked her a bit sideways and she wasn’t sure what to do, so she sat down on the cream colored settee.

“And why didn’t you drink?”

Micah chuckled low in his throat and held up the bottle. “I never knew when to stop. You see, I started drinking to forget the memories that plagued me. Unfortunately I would drink too much and the I’d fall into nightmares of what I was trying to forget.”

She sorted through his confusing answer. “You mean, you wanted to forget, but you’d drink too much and end up having worse nightmares?”

He took a long tug from the bottle. She watched his throat work as he swallowed, as a drop trickled out the side of his mouth and down his chin. He obviously had a high tolerance for liquor because half the bottle was gone and she had a feeling he’d been the one to open it.

“Exactly.” He finally turned to look at her. His smile was sexy and did funny things to her. A low throb echoed through her lower body and whispers of her erotic dream floated through her mind. He was drunk and she was having sexual urges for him. What was wrong with her? It did not seem to be the right reaction, but as before, her body wasn’t listening to her head.

“So stop drinking.”

He held the bottle up to the light, the sun turning it to liquid gold. “If only it were that easy. You see, it becomes my mistress, my lover, my best friend.”

Eppie’s heart pinched at the thought and couldn’t explain why. “So what do you need me for? You can live your life and never need a wife.”

It sounded petulant to her ears, but it must’ve sounded very serious to him. He snapped his gaze to hers and all color drained from his handsome face.

“Don’t ever say that.” He jumped off the window seat and ran around to the settee, sliding on his knees until he reached her. Up close the scent of whiskey was so strong it made her eyes water. Underneath the booze, however, was another smell, one that was familiar. “You and Miracle are the reason I wake up each day. Without you I wouldn’t be here.”

He took her hand in his and she knew a moment of fear. She didn’t want to be the reason he woke up in the morning. It was too much responsibility for any one person to bear.

“Micah, that can’t be. I don’t even know you and I don’t think you know me.”

“Oh, I know you.” He cupped her cheek and brushed his thumb across her cheek.”I memorized every square inch of you from your toes to your crooked left ear. I know the lines in your palm, the beautiful sweep of your hip, the curve of your collar bone, the softness of your mouth. I know you.”

He lowered his head as Eppie’s body grew heated and the air charged so much it made the small hairs on her body stand up. His silver eyes glittered with many emotions, from arousal to sadness to despair.

She didn’t know him a week ago. She didn’t know herself a week ago. Eppie knew she should pull away, tell him to stop, push against him, do something.

Yet she didn’t, wouldn’t or couldn’t. She didn’t know which. All she knew was that she wanted to feel his lips against hers, to remember them or perhaps see if they were the same as the dream lover who had visited her.

His hovered over her as he gazed deep inside her, searching for something. Whatever it was, he must have seen what he was looking for because he let loose a whiskey-soaked sigh and finally lowered his head to hers.

Soft and gentle, his lips skimmed over hers like a butterfly sipping on a flower. He didn’t touch her anywhere else although her body leaned towards his, seeking his touch. She seemed to have no control over her reactions. Eppie wanted to turn and run, yet she knew deep down there was no way that would happen. It seemed her body remembered him after all, judging by the way she reacted.

He kissed her again, from one end of her lips to the other, sweet nibbling kisses that left her wanting more. Micah’s tongue snuck out and lapped at her, making her gasp. The sensation shot straight down her skin and spread through her, raising goosebumps and her nipples. She hadn’t been as aroused during her erotic nocturnal meanderings as she was at that moment.

To her mortification, a moan bubbled up in her throat and escaped.

Micah swallowed her moan and responded with one of his own. The sound went straight to her pussy. It started to throb in tune with her galloping heart. Eppie felt herself falling into a deep chasm of heat, arousal and animal urges. That scared the hell out of her.

Eppie pulled back, sucking in a shaky breath. He followed, chasing her lips yet she threw up her hand to stop him. The feel of his hot breath and wet mouth on her skin sent a pulse through her. Yet she knew she was heading into unknown territory and had to stop right then or risk more than a few stolen kisses.

Buy it