celiabreslin

Hi Book Fans!
I’m working on a shiny new Halloween project this week and look forward to sharing more info – and the cover! – with you later. Today, we welcome my writer pal, C. J. Burright to the blog! Let’s have a look at her new release, a second-chance, paranormal romance with ghosts! Enjoy!
xoxo,
Celia

Sometimes the only way to forget the ghosts of the past is to face the curse of love head-on.

Artist Vi Keller made a holy vow to never return to her quirky hometown of Devils Hollow. But when the sister she left behind pleads for help during the busy Halloween season, Vi can’t say no—even if it means a month of watching her ex-BFF Max loving someone new…and braving the darkness awaiting her return.

Max has fantasized about Vi every day since she disappeared. Some of those dreams revolve around revenge, but when Vi shows up at his historic bed and breakfast, his thoughts take a steamier turn. She may still own his heart, but he rebuilt life without her and doesn’t need a blonde bombshell with tempting artwork skin to wreck him again.

When Vi and Max are forced to partner up during the seasonal festivities, it’s just like old times, resurrecting a desire that never died. But happily-ever-afters in Devils Hollow are paid in blood and bones. Missing pets, tourist attractions turning sinister and shadows stalking the lake point to Vi’s worst fear—the spirit that failed to destroy her once has neither forgiven nor forgotten. If Max and Vi can’t untangle the tragic past of a local urban legend, they’ll lose more than a second chance at love.
 

Books2Read | First for Romance | GoodReads

EXCERPT

“I remember everything.” He lowered his voice to a soft rumble and eased nearer to her ear, taking wicked pleasure in her shiver. “How the electricity would make the hair on your neck stand up straight. How you’d jump every time the thunder rolled, even though you expected it. How you’d use it as an excuse to grab my very muscled, incredibly sexy biceps.”

She snorted and took another sip of her whiskey. “You wish.”

“Oh, sweeting.” He gently hooked a stray tendril of hair behind her ear, the barest touch on her skin, and she went still. “You have no idea all the things I’ve wished for these last five years.”

Vi anchored her focus on the amber whiskey gleaming in her glass. Her slender throat worked, and she turned her head slightly his way, as if reluctantly pulled by invisible strings. Slowly, her eyelashes lifted, and her gaze found his, dark and deep in the gloom. Her lips parted, as if she couldn’t decide whether to respond with words or a kiss.

Words weren’t what he wanted right now, no matter how stupid the choice or any later regret. He’d dreamed of tasting those lips again, to determine if they were as soft and sweet as he remembered, to exorcise the memory from his soul. Max refused to move, his pulse drumming faster as she lifted her chin. Her mouth hovered less than an inch from his, and her breath brushed his chin, warm and velvet.

Do it, Vi. Kiss me. Show me you haven’t forgotten what we had.

Holding her gaze, he slid a hand from her shoulder to her spine and tugged her even closer.

Vi had to either straddle his leg or expose their hiding place. She planted a palm on his chest for balance. Her thighs pressed on each side of his, a warm, welcome trap. Shivers tripped up his back as her breath fanned his shoulder. He inhaled her faint, floral scent. Raw desire flooded his entire body, yearning a corrosive need barely contained.

Despite the chilled glass against his back, the air had become very warm, the whiskey hot in his blood. Vi’s pulse caused the thin strap of her camisole to vibrate ever so slightly, but she didn’t struggle to escape or withdraw. When her lips parted, the promise of an invitation, it was all he could do not to surrender all dignity and attack like a starved beast.

About C. J. Burright

Once upon a time, a girl with flat hobbit feet dreamed of adventures in the woods with an elven hero, fighting off orcs and saving magical rings. All grown up now, C.J. Burright resides in Oregon (at least she got the trees). While she faces her duties at the law office day job, she avoids writing legal thrillers and instead turns toward romance—contemporary (sometimes with a supernatural flair), paranormal or fantasy. With a 5th Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, it’s no surprise she prefers feisty heroines who aren’t afraid to jump into the fight. Her slivers of spare time are spent working out, gardening, playing the latest Assassin’s Creed, and rooting on the Seattle Mariners, always with music. She shares a house with her husband (not elven, alas, but a fine alternative) and a devoted cat herd while missing her daughter from afar. C. J. is represented by Brittany Booker of The Booker Albert Literary Agency.

Connect with C. J. Burright

Website | Facebook | X | BookBub | Pinterest | Instagram