'The Sin Eater's Redemption' by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

The Sin Eater's Redemption

by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

Contemporary Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Rebel Ink Press

Release Date: April 17, 2013

Heat Level: Steamy

Word Count: 72,825

Description:

Death brings would-be country singer Tessa Owens home from Nashville to her native Ozarks. But she’s not planning to stay. She turned her back on the old ways of life in the modern world long ago. But she didn’t expect to meet her first love, Lucas Rowlands, at the visitation. Seven years wasn’t long enough to forget him and sparks ignite when they meet again. Even worse, Tessa learns Lucas isn’t the simple country farmer she left behind but the sin eater, an ancient position handed down to him from his grandfather. She still plans to make tracks back to Music City USA but when Lucas falls ill, Tessa can’t bear to leave. As she struggles to understand Lucas’ life and role as a sin eater, Tessa admits she loves him and there’s no doubt what he feels for her. But even if she’ll give up her country music dreams, there’s no way Tessa can become the sin eater’s wife, especially not when Lucas knows he won’t make old bones. The devil wants Lucas’ sin-heavy soul and if they don’t come up with something, Lucas is hell bound on an express ticket. If there’s any chance at a future, it’s up to Tessa.

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains adult sexual situations and/or adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers.

Excerpt:

“Hello, Lucas.” Her voice came out hushed, like school kids whispering in a library. “It’s been a long time.”

Lucas Rowlands grinned with a naughty smile she remembered very well. He looked the same, overlong brown hair lit with blonde highlights, dark blue eyes and a lean build. “I hear you’ve been living up to Nashville all this time,” he said.

“I have,” Tessa replied. “I live there now.”

His eyes locked on her face and she couldn’t look away, mesmerized by his steady gaze.

“Guess you ain’t famous just yet.”

Face to face, toe to toe, she remembered more than she wanted. His presence, his physical proximity exuded power, so much so the fine hairs on her arms came to attention. “No,” she said, her voice husky. “I’m not. What are you doing these days, Lucas?”

“I do as little as possible,” he said with a sassy grin. “I raise cattle and more than a little hell at my granddad’s old place. I live in the old house and mostly do what I want.”

That sounded like Lucas, she thought. “Are you married?”

“Nope and I don’t plan to get that way. What about you, darlin’? Do you have a husband and kiddies in a little house over there on the Cumberland River?”

He stood close, heat radiating from his skin as it moved over her in waves. Tessa grew too hot, overheating so much she thought she might faint. His questions irked her, though she couldn’t say why.

“No,” Tessa said. If she didn’t get some fresh air now, she would pass out. She stepped forward, prepared to head for the back door. Luke took her hand instead and kept her in place.

“Where are you going? We haven’t had time to catch up or talk about old times.”

His voice affected her like cheap strawberry wine with a giddy rush powerful enough to tilt her off balance.

“I need some air,” she whispered. “I’ve got to go outside.”

Lucas put his arm around her. “Let’s go then.”

He pressed through the crowd with a fake grin plastered on his face, exchanging a few nods and howdys. She allowed him to take her through her aunt’s kitchen, aware the women putting out food stared as they passed. In the backyard, Tessa staggered over to a plastic lawn chair and sat. Cool breezes flowed down the hills behind and she inhaled deeply. After a few minutes, she sighed.

“Better?” Lucas sprawled in a chair across from hers and watched with a frown she might’ve once believed came out of concern.

“Yes, thanks.”

“What the hell happened in there? You didn’t use to be such a wimp.”

“No.” Funny she could sing on any stage, hobnob with some of the remaining greats of country music, talk with today’s chart toppers, handle the meanest drunk in any bar and attend any event and never lose her cool. But come back to the hills and she lost it in her aunt’s house, among her own folks, thanks to Lucas Rowlands. “I’m okay now, though.”

He offered a hand so she could rise and Tessa accepted it. Before she had time to think, Lucas drew her into his arms like a spider catching a fly and put his mouth down over hers. She struggled, protested until his heat fired her and ignited all her old passions. Tessa kissed him back with the same unholy fire. Sweet little charges of electricity ran over her sensitive skin and when his tongue entered her mouth, she would’ve squealed aloud except she couldn’t, there wasn’t space to make a sound.

Pleasure from his mouth expanded lower and spread heat through her in waves. A dim sense Tessa should protest, should push him away hovered at the edge of her consciousness but everything felt too damn good to stop. His lips evoked the past, stolen kisses and heady delights she recalled much too well. If someone, she never could be sure who it was, had not thrust their head out of the back door and called, “Lucas, it’s time.”

Tessa might’ve let him do more than kiss her there, in the backyard, with her kinfolk and most of the rural community steps away. The reality check jarred her back to consciousness as he released her.

“I’ll see you later,” he said with a playful swat at her rear as he vanished into the house.

Tessa watched him go, divided between longing for more kisses and anger that she’d let her guard down so easily. Lucas was the last person she expected to see and before she could ponder why he’d come to Uncle Cal’s private family visitation, the back door swung open.

“There you are! You need to come in now, we’re about to get started.”

“Start what, Aunt Vernie?”

Her aunt ducked her head. “I had the sin eater come. You know what a wicked man Calvin could be, how mean he was. I just hated to think he might spend all eternity in hell so I decided to do it the way folks did back a few years. Truth is they do it more now than you’d think now that we got us a sin eater again.”

“You’re joking,” Tess said. This sounded insane. Clearly she’d left the real world behind in Tennessee and ended up here on the set of The Twilight Zone.

Aunt Verna folded her arms across her chest like fresh laundry. “I’m not, Tessa. You’ve been away too long. That’s why I had them bring Cal back out here from the funeral home. Today’s for the sin eater, the family, and close friends. It’s visitation, too, but this is the most important.”

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About the Author:

Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy writes romance about everyday people often caught up in extraordinary circumstances. Her titles range from contemporary to historical to time travel and sometimes stray into the paranormal. She is a native of the historic city of St. Joseph, Missouri, a jumping off spot for countless wagon trains in the days of the old west and where outlaw Jesse James met his death. She now lives in a small Ozark town in what passes for the suburbs. As a member of Romance Writers of America, Missouri Writers Guild, and the Ozark Writers League, Lee Ann pens a weekly column for the local newspaper. She has served on the local library board and arts council. As a member of the Rebel Elite team, her upcoming releases will shift to exclusive Rebel in 2013. Lee Ann is also one of the short list of Rebel authors named Best of 2012. She was also among the Best of 2011. She’s married with three children and one spoiled Jack Russell terrier.

Connect with Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

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GIVEAWAY INFO:
Prize is 15 eBook copies (1 each to 15 winners) of "The Sin Eater's Redemption" from Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy. Contest is tour-wide and ends July 12. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
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