Thursdays with Faith - Darryl Asks about their Parents

Here's a little something you won't find inside Tainted Love.

You were fifteen the first time you asked about Mom and Dad. 

When you were little, sometimes I'd tell you about them instead of reading you bedtime stories. I'd tell you about everyone. Our parents, our grandparents, about the uncle we had who died, when you were old enough to understand what drugs were I even told you he died of an overdose. I didn't tell you that he'd disappeared with all of the inheritance money and the money from the sale of the house after pops died. I don't think I was supposed to know. But it was hard not to listen Into the adults' conversations when you've been sent to your room for no reason. I'm sure you, Georgia and Caleb did the same, don't think I didn't hear you when you scrambled up the stairs as you tried not to get into trouble. 

So anyway, Mom and Dad. 

I was preparing dinner, Georgia and Caleb were with friends and Cal was still at work. it was just you and me and you were pretty mad when you came into the kitchen. I remember because your homework was a specific history project and you had were supposed to ask you parents or grandparents about the Second World War. That was hard for you and me because we didn't have any parents or grandparents to ask. How did you complete an assignment like this? 

I told you what I could remember from pops's stories but I couldn't answer the specifics you  needed. In the end I told you I'd talk to the elderly neighbour across the street, the one offered who baked cookies for you if you did chores for her, like cutting her lawn and trimming her hedges. I said I'd clear it with your teacher too, I never wanted you to feel different from the other kids, or underprivileged somehow because of our unique situation but there were times when you were at a disadvantage and this was one of them. I guess the old lady over the street was a good compromise for the school, for you, and Mrs. Mitchell, who would bake you more cookies while you kept her company doing her favourite past time, reminiscing. 

So then, you hovered around the kitchen, took a sharp knife from the block and began peeling and chopping vegetables for the casserole.

"What were they like Fay?"  You asked and I knew you were talking about mom and dad. So I told you. They were wonderful loving parents who wanted to give you everything. They wanted you to go to college, and play football, but most of all they wanted you to be happy. They would be so proud of you. 

I told you about Dad's dreams of a nationwide psychiatry empire that you'd take over one day. I told you about Mom's garden that I'd restored for her and her amazing apple pie recipe. I think you must have been feeling their loss that night because I'm sure you wouldn't have stayed to cook with me if you weren't. You wanted to know how to make Mom's pie so we had one for dessert. Can you remember? I told you what to do and while I made casserole you made the pie and it was delicious, better than ones I'd ever made.

I know I should have told you about the adoption then but somehow it didn't seem right. You wanted to know what your parents were like it didn't seem fair to tell you they weren't your real parents. I guess I messed a few things up when it came to you because I didn't want for you to feel different to any other kid your age and I lost sight of the fact you were.

"How did they die Faith?" 

I'd been avoiding telling you the truth but I knew this day would come. So I made some hot milky cocoa and we sat down at the table while dinner cooked and I told you they were shot at an incident at work. I told you Cal had been there that day too and after three people were shot he wrestled the patient to the ground with a syringe full of sedatives and put him out cold. It was hard to tell you about their deaths and I think, once I started to cry, you comforted me more than I comforted you. It warmed me to the bottom of my soul when Cal came home from work and you wrapped your scrawny arms around him. You told him 'thank you' and for what we weren't sure. But you left the kitchen and he crossed to where I sat. He bent down to kiss me, same as he did every night. 

"What was that all about?" 

I just looked at him, at the delight in his eyes, and I told him how grateful I was that he'd stayed with me, with you, with our kids, in the life he didn't want. 

"God Fay that was years ago." He sighed and plopped his butt on the same chair you'd left. "What's brought this on?"

"I'm not stupid Calvin, don't think I don't know if you hadn't knocked me up you'd have been gone long before we were married." 

His hand came up and he cupped my cheek in his palm. But he admitted the truth to me. "You and me, Fay, we got real serious real quick and I'm not going to lie. It scared the hell out of me." I knew he was talking about Emma and Evan, about the fact he lost everything when he lost them. I think I'd be too scared to start again if anything happened to him and I had to go on alone, even though I had offered him the chance to get out before. "I'm older and wiser and had way more experienced than you, I should have known better all those years ago." He made it sound like a life time ago, and sometimes when I looked back it feel like one, but most of the time it seemed like only yesterday I was telling him I was pregnant with Georgia when it had actually been ten years. "I made a choice to take you to bed without protection. Just like you gave me a choice before Caleb arrived. Neither one are decisions I've regretted. Not once." I smiled. "Sure life threw a couple of wrenches in the works and sure they drive me crazy. You drive me crazy sometimes too. But whatever life's thrown at us we've dealt with, and we've fixed it. We always do." He pressed his lips against mine. "I love you Faith, I love our children, Our lives, and if I was given the choice I wouldn't change a thing."

A few days later we argued about you. He shouted at me and called you names and he held me so hard it pinched, and the day he amidst his heart felt apology, told me he actually wanted more children. This from the man who wanted to travel the world unhinged by responsilbilities and expectations of a family life.

Erin

Posts You May Have Missed
Thursdays with Faith

Why didn't you leave? 

Faith's Perfect Valentine's Day

Tainted Love Book Trailer

I found a video making app for my mobile phone. So whilst I played around with it I've created a book trailer for Tainted Love.

Fortune Teller Bloghop. Tainted Love: July 4th 2005

Welcome to the Fortune Teller BlogHop. Here's a little something to wet your appetites for the upcoming second book in the Valentina Secrets Series. You'll find all the participants of the BlogHop below.

Tainted Love:

the Faith McKenzie Story

Valentina Secrets Book 1

A hand wraps around my wrist. My heart rate soars as he prevents me from getting away. No don’t do this now. We’re in the middle of the crowd milling around the carnival on Main Street. I tug my hand away but he refuses to let me go. He pulls. I turn and tumble into his strong arms as he holds me tight. I face a wall of solid muscle. I closed my eyes. Hold them real tight. I hate this. I hate the panic rising from within, the need to scream and make it stop and even when his finger tucks beneath my chin and tilts my head towards his face I can’t look. I’m too frightened to open my eyes. What if this time it’s not John who’s got me? “Faith?” I hear the right voice. I know the familiar feeling of these arms and they will always protect me. Yet still my heart races. “babe” He’s not always this patient. Sometimes he shouts and tells me he’s not Cal. But some days my head just doesn’t want to believe it. “Faith, come back to me.” 

My breath stutters and then stops entirely because I have to face reality. But the fear still grips me oh so tight. What if... I open my eyes.

John smiles at me and his gaze holds mine in place. I breathe. The tension seeps away. “Darlin’” He whispers and somehow he knows to step back, to keep me at arm’s length. “Babe I didn’t tell you, did I?” His fingers entwine with mine. He has this amazing ability to make me feel like my past never happened. “You are the best thing to ever happen to me.” 

The butterflies take flight inside my belly and for a moment I just feel the warmth of his gaze and the love in his touch and my world slots back into place. Now I feel comfortable enough to tease him. “What about Lisa?” His daughter “Zoe, Cate, Caleb, Georgia” My children “and Darryl?” and My baby brother.

John’s eyes shift away as he pretends to ponder the point, pretends to be perplexed by a tug of war inside. Then he laughs and it’s a wonderful sound. His smile lights up his eyes. “Mrs. Dixon that was hideous of you!” 

Is this really my new life? I have to mentally pinch; just to remind myself that it’s not new anymore. It’s been years since his brother Drew arrested my ex. It’s our first wedding anniversary in a few weeks’ time and we’re celebrating at the cabin in Washington.  

“Four years ago today” He begins and the music and merriment of Fourth of July celebrations around us just fades away. In this moment, it’s just us, and we’ve been frozen in time.  “We stood in this very spot and I said to you ‘when life gave you lemons’ and you said ‘you’re supposed to juggle ‘til you drop them’”. I know I remember. He sent me the most dazzling smile as he looked over his shoulder at me. “You smiled at me, do you remember?” I nod because it really was a magical stumbling into Hawthorne Creek and finding a home, even though that day had gone so horribly wrong half way through. “I think I toppled head long in love with you in that moment Faith.” 

Oh, I feel all glittery inside. He almost always knows exactly what to say to chase my daemons away. I know I don’t say these words enough to him. “I love you John.” 

He reaches for me, his big hands cup my face and he steps into the gap between us. I close my eyes and anticipate the most perfect moment ending with a heart stopping kiss. 

“Mom!”

The bubble burst. We both deflate in disappointment, look each in the eyes and a laugh tumbles from deep within. “Bloody kids!” John shakes his head.

“Dad!” Caitlyn shouts and I watch John swell up with pride. Cate made the decision to call John ‘Dad’, and she no longer wants to see Cal. She’s far wiser than just twelve years old so what was I to say? I think she’s big enough to make that choice.

 “Hurry up Uncle D!” Lisa is dragging my brother along by his hand. It’s so wonderful to see them embrace him like this because we were apart for most of their lives. 

Then Zoe appears. She mimics the gypsy fortune teller whose authentic caravan is set up on the outskirts of the stalls, and she asking her will she be a famous actress. The fortune teller replies “I see stars in your eyes dear child.” 

“Tell her what you told Uncle D!” Cate grins. 

“She said he wasn’t going to get married for a real long time.” Zoe interrupts. I looked at his fiancée at his side. She’s wearing an expression mixed with annoyance and concern. “and they’re going to have a baby-” 

“She said daughter.” Cate corrects. 

“Everyone is going to know his name too! Uncle D’s going to be famous.”

“Infamous.” Cate corrects again. 

I know it’s futile to believe, she been around all day and has probably observed us all. Besides D owns one of the biggest chain of health and well-being practices in the state of New York and his fiancée is a popular girl. They’re already well-known to those who read society pages. I’m not surprise his name is going to be infamous in future. He has big plans for the psychiatry practice started by our Dad.

“Do mommy!” Zoe demands. And the woman gives me an unnerving stare and suddenly I don’t want to know my future. I shiver and wave her away. “Please.” Zoe begs.

“My dear” she takes my hand without my permission. “I see a lifetime of sorrow in your eyes.” Her words crawl along my spine. I try to tug my hand away but she holds firm and closes her eyes. “Shadows have been cast around you but I still see you standing in the light.” She falls silent for a few moments. “Your future is intertwined with a young boy. Maybe a son?” My heart stops and I swallow before I look at John. He’s gone a ghostly shade of pale. He shakes his head. And I agree. We’re not having any more kids! 

“No” She corrects. “He’s too old to be your son.”  

My gaze lands on Darryl... and voila! The boy too old to be my son. This is nothing but a party trick.

“Oh” She opens her eyes. “Dear girl. You’ll never see how important you are.” She takes John’s hand and joins our palms together. Her gaze switches between us both. Then she casts her eyes to the floor. She shakes her head and when she looks up there are tears in her eyes. “You’ve further heartbreak on the horizon.” She whispers. “This is something you will face alone.” John’s other hand wraps around my waist as I try to tug away my hand again. “I want you to understand you need not worry, you have made the right choices and taught them to true value of family.”  She pats our hands and turns to walk away.

John reaches out and grabs her shoulder. “What do you mean? What did you see?” 

“Nothing.” She looks at me. “Flowers that’s all.”

I wrap my hands around my waist grabbing hold of Johns hand as he snaps “What kind of flowers?”

Shakes her head “I don’t know. They were white. Lillies I think.” I gasp. They’re the flowers of death. “It was a very brief glimpse. They have even been roses.”

White Roses? My blood runs cold. How did she know? We’d told no one about Cal’s threat.

“Charlatan!” John shouts and she cries out, shaking her head furiously. “How can you say this stuff in front of kids? It was him, wasn’t it? Did he send you?” John’s livid he’s almost foaming at his lips. “I’m calling my brother and reporting his threats. So if you want to avoid fraud charges you’d better get in that caravan and get out of this town right now.” She scurries away “and you give him a message from me.” His voice grows louder the further away she runs. “If he touches my wife again I’ll kill him!”

“John!” I touch his shoulder. He’s so mad he’s trembling under my hand. “It’s nothing but hocus pocus.” I tell him even though I’m trembling too. But the look on the girls’ faces, they’re so scared they’re clinging to Darryl and he holds them so protectively. He’s worried. His eyes are questioning me. I’d argued with him when the white roses arrived. I told him not to worry. They all need our reassurance after John’s outburst. Everything is going to be fine. He’s not allowed anywhere near here and Darryl takes Zoe to see him. I will never see Calvin McKenzie again. “She read our reactions. It’s a scam, a carnival trick, a way to make a quick buck.” But I can’t fight the sickly feeling growing in my stomach. We didn’t pay her a penny. 

He wraps both arms around me. He holds me ever-so tight. “You’re right.” We stand in silence and no body moves. We’ve all had a terrible fright. “I overreacted.” John kisses my cheek and says “But still, I’m seeing the doctor tomorrow.” 

I frown, then start to chuckle. “I thought you said god loves your genes?”

“He might but five kids and a little brother are enough kids for me thank very much.”

“Hey!” Darryl cries, my three girls are yet to move away from him. “Less of the little. I’m thirty-three years old, you know!”

fortune teller BlogHop Kayla Curry (Host)

Alyssa Auch
S. M. Boyce
N.R. Wick
Steve Vernon
A. F. Stewart
Linda Taylor
Tami Von Zalez
Quanie Miller
Ellen Harger
Deborah Nam-Krane
Erin Cawood
Danielle-Claude Ngontang Mba
Wendy Ely
Laure Reminick
Jen McConnel

Thursdays With Faith - Revisited.

Back in March, Faith McKenzie took a trip over to PattiLarsen.com and I realised I'd never shared the post here on my blog.  

His big angry eyes glare at me as the front door slams. The windows rattle. Oh god! What had I done this time? The urge to run away pools deep in my belly. I didn’t believe it. For the first time in years we were alone. My not so little anymore brother is sleeping at a friend’s house as requested, and hopefully staying out of trouble, while my son and daughter are enjoying birthday sleepover parties at their friends’ homes. I’d been looking forward this night since my doctor’s appointment a few days ago.

I had the news we’d both longed for and it was killing me keeping it from him. But I couldn’t tell him now. From the look in his eyes if I tell him we’re expecting a baby all hell would break loose. The blissful-can’t-keep-our-hands-to our-self way of life we’d lived for the past nine weeks would shatter like one of the crystal champagne glasses sitting on the dining room table.

It was four months before he forgave me after I broke the news we were expecting Caleb and he wore the same expression on his face today as he had that night. It would be my fault we were pregnant again even though we’d planned this baby, even though Cal wanted this baby. Suddenly, this baby has the worst timing ever!

Still frozen on to my spot on the stairs, I fight the fear curling in my stomach. The last time I saw such fury in his eyes he reached for me and I swear he was going to hurt me. But he didn’t hurt me. Far from it. We … we … well we made the little miracle I now carry. And it was amazing. Beautiful. I’ve never felt more connected to Calvin then I had that day.

I shake my head, attempt to shake off the anxiety. He never hurts me. Not intentionally. I’m overreacting. He’s had a bad day at work. It’s nothing what I have planned for him can’t resolve. After his favourite meal, a glass of wine, and a child free night he’ll be mellowed and ready to receive the good news. At least I think it’s still good news.

“Hi” I smile, walk down the rest of the stairs and cross the entrance hall. “You look like you could do with a drink.” My hand gently caresses his forearm.

“I just came to drop my things off.” He brushes me off and walks on as though I’m not even there. “I can’t be around the kids tonight.”

I ignore the stab in my heart from his rejection. “Cal?”

The study door slams shut in answer. I don’t follow. I haven’t been allowed into his study since we…  um…  Well, it’s been nine weeks since I’ve been allowed in the study. Besides, I know better than to follow him when he’s in a mood like this, it’s likely to end in tears.

Instead, I go into the dining room. We never use the dining, except for entertaining, holidays and special occasions and I guess tonight wasn’t going to be one of them after all. I fail to fight the tears prickling at the corners of my eyes as I unset the table and put the best china, crystal and silverware back in the cabinet. All that is left is my mom’s antique candle sticks when I hear Cal call out. But more tears fall. It’s been over ten years since Mom and Dad were snatched away at gunpoint but suddenly it feels like yesterday.

Cal voice carries from somewhere deeper in the house. Great! He’s still angry and now he’s looking for me. I know I have a fight coming my way but I can’t… My parents’ death is balled up in my throat and my voice won’t reach around it. They missed so much. My brother was so little when they died. Georgia was just a baby. They never met Caleb, my hand rests on my flat tummy, and they’d never meet our newest addition to the family either.

“What are you doing in here?” Cal grumbles. I brush away my tears before I face him. “And where are the kids?”

“I’m putting stuff away” I manage to mumble turning and putting Mum’s candlesticks away and erase all signs of any plans I had. “You’re going out and the kids are at sleepovers.”

He stares at me. The time draws on and I try not to squirm under his silent scrutiny. Then he frowns “You’ve been crying?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Don’t lie to me.” He snaps “You don’t cry about nothing.”

“We’ve been through this twice before Cal” I quip walking passed him “I’m sure you’ll remember how the next nine months are going to play out.” I leave him standing in the dining room alone.

“Don’t talk to me like that Faith!”

I march into the kitchen waiting for his usual adage; you know I don’t like it. The steak, already tenderised within an inch of its life, and the ingredient I’d already prepared for his favourite steak sauce look at me from the counter. I was going to indulge him tonight. There was even a bottle of champagne chilling in the wine cooler because I knew how much he wanted this baby. We’d talked about it only a couple of days ago that ended with some silly ideas of ice cream in the bedroom. Packing the steak and the vegetables in airtight containers, I cross the kitchen and put them in the fridge, slamming the door. Cal is behind it.

I jump about a mile out of my skin. My heart beat racing. The look in his eyes hasn’t changed. “Cal!” I gasp fighting to keep the fear of what he’ll do next from my voice and my expression. “You scared the life out me.”

“A patient committed suicide.” Even though his voice is terse, I don’t know if he’s angry with me or himself anymore, so I can’t seem to let my guard down. I don’t know if he wants my sympathy because he wants to fight with me. I know he does. But he doesn’t look at all happy about it. I swallow against my suddenly desert dry mouth and step back. I don’t trust myself not to do the wrong thing, whatever that maybe. “Did you mean what you said?” He asks “It’s just you and me tonight?”

“Uh-huh” Is all I can manage as I put the island between us.

“And the other thing you said” He frowns again as his gaze drift away from mine “Did you mean…” He looks at me. His expression is blank. “Are you…?” It’s as though he never expected it to happen. “Are we…?” I nod and he gasps. Both hands grip the opposite end of the island and his eyes close. He draws in several really long deep breaths. He can’t do this! He can’t take this news badly. He’s not allowed. This baby was his idea!

Just as I’m about to lose my mind he stands upright. He has a mischievous glint in his eyes and a wicked grin on his lips. Just like that the fight it over and he’s happy. He turns towards the freezer. “Then I believe” He chuckles as he opens the door “You owe me an ice cream sundae.”

“What?” My head is spinning from the suddenly change in direction. “No!” I shriek as a tub of luxury ice cream slides across the counter. “You’re not…” I can’t believe he’s even contemplating this.

“You promised. You said I could have syrup, and sprinkles, and whipped cream, and the whole damn cherry on top if we got pregnant this side of Christmas. I intend to hold you to it.”

“But-” I wasn’t serious! He wasn’t serious! I eyed the offensive ice cream between us. The condensation forming on the outside chills me to the bone. I shiver at the thought of cream to skin contact. “That’s really cold. Think of the baby.”

Cal burst into a delighted laughter. “Babies love ice cream!”

It was hard to remain horrified at the sound of his happiness but still, he was not covering me in ice cream. “No!” I made for the left and he blocked my exit. So I started for the right and he made to block that exit too. “No Cal.” I half shriek half laugh and shake my head.

“You promised me Fay.” His eyes sparkle as he reaches for the ice cream.

“No way,” I use his distraction as an opportunity to escape, dodging his overstretched arm as he realises I’m making a break for it. “You’re not making a sundae out of me!” I sprint into the entrance hall as the most magnificent laugh bursts from the kitchen. It’s so light, so free. In all the years we’ve been married I’ve never heard Calvin laugh like that before.

I freeze. I turn around as he leaves the kitchen Ice cream and sundae paraphernalia in his hands. This is what my husband looks and acts like when he’s completely happy. It hits me I’ve never seen him this way before. We’d finally done it. We were thrown into the life he didn’t want and one we both knew couldn’t make him happy.  And yet, it did. And he was, ecstatically so. My heart swelled.

“I will if I catch you.”

What?! Oh yes, the ice cream! My gaze darts around the entrance hall. Where the hell did I go? I couldn’t take this outside and he blocked the only other exit except upwards. Where in God’s name did I hide? He steps forward. I’m out of time so I spring into action. “You’ll never catch me.” I challenge and sprint and leap for the stairs.

There’s a sudden clatter of a dozen dropped objects as Cal plucks me out of mid air. His arm wrapping around my waist and he whirls me around to face him. “Gotcha!”

My legs wrap around him. My arms hook around his neck and I grouch “You don’t have to look so smug about it.”

“Oh yes I do” He chuckles before his lips meet mine. His kisses are so soft.  His touch is so tender. I feel like I’m floating on a cloud as we climb the stairs and he carries me towards the bedroom. “Fay?” He whispers. “Did I ever tell you you’re the best damn thing that ever happened to me?”

Buy at Amazon

Erin

Posts You May Have Missed

Free Read & Best Contemporary Fiction Finalist

I don't post on a weekend very often. But I have reason to celebrate, and not just because its my birthday today.

My first novel, Tainted Love has been nominated as a finalist for Best Contemporary Fiction in Orangeberry Book Tour's Hall of Fame, by members of the Quality Reads UK Book Club.

I'm thrilled to pieces with this nomination.

The Winner is chosen by you, so if you've read Tainted Love, could you be a darling and pop on over to Orangeberry's website and show Tainted Love some loving. If you haven't you can grab a copy for Kindle, and its Free today and tomorrow. (1st - 4th August 2013) Grab a copy at Amazon US & Amazon UK.

Giveaway Winners

Winners Announced! 

Tainted Love Blog Tour $25 Gift card Giveaway

For the last two weeks of June excerpts from my first novel,Tainted Love: the Faith McKenzie Story, were showcased on a 14 stop blog tour. During this time readers had the opportunity to enter a giveaway for $25 Amazon gift-card.

I'd like to say a big thank to all the bloggers who feature Tainted Love during the tour and a massive thank you to Samantha at CLP Blog Tours for making the tour possible.

All entries were counted up to 6th July and the winners have been selected via random.org

The winners are:

T**** M**** (winners name withheld)

Debbie Jenson

The winners have now been notified. Thank you everyone who  followed the tour, shared and entered, your favourite romance novels have been collated and the results will be posted on Beyond My Writing Space in the next few weeks.

Keep your eye out for the very first Erin Cawood Newsletter  winging its way to you on 1st August 2013. (If you opted out of the newsletter you can opt in here).

What's Your Favourite Romance Novel? Mid Week update

The last 3 days have been exciting! There's over 85 titles which have been voted for so far!

There's still time to enter the giveaway to win one of two $25 Amazon Gift cards. (Click here to be redirected to the entry page and tell me your favorite romance titles.) And don't forget to share this page!




So here are the top titles up until Wednesday 26th: 

1. Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
2. Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
3. Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella 
4. Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
5. The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

And the authors with the most books/votes so far:
(up until Wednesday 26th June)

1. Sophie Kinsella
2. Linda Howard
3. Abbi Glines
4. Jill Mansell
5. Nicholas Sparks

Erin

Posts You May Have Missed

CLP Tainted Love Tour - Curling Up With A Good Book

“Happy Birthday, Mommy!” Aww! They looked so cute.

“Can we have pancakes now, Daddy?” Zoe cheered.

Pancakes for breakfast on a school day? Not likely. Cal would fly into a rage if I served them anything more than fruit and cereal for breakfast before school. But he placed two plates with two smiley faced pancakes and syrup in front of the girls, then smiled at me.

“Close your eyes.” He wrapped his hand around my eyes. “No peeking,” he said, shuffling me forward.

The hairs rose on the back of my neck. The last time he put his hand around my eyes he’d surprised me with a candle lit bathroom and a romantic bath for two. There’d been good vibes that night, lots of good vibes… and I missed it when the vibe changed. I hadn’t seen it coming.

Hop on over to Curling Up With A Good Book to find out what happened next.

Erin

Posts You May Have Missed

CLP Tainted Love Tour - The Autumn Review

How does Faith handle what Caitlyn saw?

She burst out of nowhere, D. She was screaming at the top of her lungs. “Get off my mommy!” Suddenly she was between us. She was kicking and punching and pushing at John. “Don’t you dare hurt my mommy!”

“Whoa.” John’s hand dropped mine and he stepped back, his jaw slack and his eyes wide as he looked from Cate to me. “What the devil?”

Cate continued her fierce defense, but she was crying, and I knew I’d made a huge mistake. I shouldn’t have lied to her. I shouldn’t have pretended it never happened. I hadn’t protected her from it at all.

Read more at The Autumn Review: TAINTED LOVE by Erin Cawood Excerpt &; Giveaway:

Erin

Posts You May Have Missed

CLP Tainted Love Excerpt Tour - Excerpt #10

Its Halloween! Come find out how Faith and her family celebrate.

Are you having flashbacks of the lycra cat suit with the homemade ears, whiskers, and the feather boa tail, D? So you should, you made it! I didn’t tell you I’ve bought one this year and Gawd, it’s awful! I felt so self-conscious. Where do I start? It’s strapless, it laces up, it gives certain areas more and others less and it’s not suitable for public consumption! But it’s the only one I could find.

 Read more at DWED

Erin

Posts You May Have Missed

CLP Tainted Love Excerpt Tour - Excerpt #9

Evolved World has the next excerpt in the Tainted Love Excerpt Tour

Of course, I didn't sleep. I sat in the window seat watching the moonlight
on the lake, closed my eyes for a bit, let the deep relaxing breaths take me
away somewhere nice and cozy... but he's still there. He's always there.
He's always waiting to wake me up.

Read more as Evolved World

Erin

Posts You May Have Missed

What's Your Top Three Romance Novels?

Last week CLP Tours launched the Tainted Love Excerpt Tour, allowing readers to get inside the pages of Tainted Love. As part of the tour I'm hosting a giveaway with the chance to win one of two $25 Amazon gift cards. To enter this giveaway all you have to do is follow this link and tell me your top 3 favourite romance novels. 

After a week, here are your suggestions so far

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella
Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks 

Arranged by Catherine MacKenzie

Spin by Catherine MacKenzie

Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews

Savannah Blue by Mary Kay Andrews

Dream Man By Linda Howard 

MacKenzie's Mountain by Linda Howard

A Walk in the Park by Jill Mansell
Wallbanger by Alice Clayton
Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Callie Khouri
Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot
Up in the Air Series by R.K. Lilley
Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
To Win His Wayward Wife by Rose Gordon
This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas
Best of Friends by Cathy Kelley
Lighthouse Bay by Kimberely Freeman
A Girl Like Me by Gemma Burgess
Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey
Mile Til Midnight Lisa Kleypas
Goodnight Tweetheart by Teresa Medieros
Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Proof by Seduction by Courtney Milan
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
It Had to be You by Jamie McGuire
Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski
Never Too Far by Abbie Glines
The Help by Kathy Stockett


So far the Top authors are:

1. Sophie Kinsella
2. Jill Mansell
3. Nicholas Sparks
4. Emily Griffin



Erin

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CLP Tainted Love Excerpt Tour - Excerpt #8

We're fast forwarding a few years in the next excerpt

"Did you have fun today, Faith?" He asked as my foot landed at the bottom of the stairs.

My Cal-sense went haywire. I knew that tone of voice. No children present equaled no protection. The hairs stood up on the back of my arms. My eyes flickered around the entrance hall. The house still remained in almost complete darkness. That's when I realized I had no idea where he was. He could have been in any of the four rooms leading away from where I stood. 

Want to know what happened next? Head on over to ai love books to read the rest of the excerpt.


Erin

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CLP Tainted Love Excerpt Tour - Excerpt #7

We left Faith and Cal as they reconciled after months of heartbreak. What happened next...

You know, this was the first and only time we were ever caught by the children. I thought he’d be angrier, or at least as angry as I was embarrassed. I mean, I knew it would happen eventually, but still prayed it never did.
I mean you… you always seemed to have ESP for this kind of behavior. You’d knock before you came in and you didn’t come in our room without permission. But Caleb, he just wandered right in.
“Mom, I’m starving. What’s for dinner?”
We shuffled and I scrambled, but Cal wrapped his arm around my waist and said, “No, you and me are staying right here.” He placed a kiss on my lips. “Tell Georgia to order takeout, there’s money in my wallet.”

Read the rest of the excerpt at Karma For Life

 

Erin

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The Book Bag: On Tour: Tainted Love by Erin Cawood, an Excerpt a...

The Book Bag: On Tour: Tainted Love by Erin Cawood, an Excerpt a...: For anyone in a relationship, the words 'we need to talk' can only mean one thing. In the last twenty-two years, the McKenzies ...

"You know…” I tried to keep things light between us. I always tried to keep things light between us, because the alternative was just too hard to bear. “You really shouldn't sneak up on a woman who's holding a paring knife."

A feather light touch hovered at my waist. I thought I’d imagined it, but every nerve went into overdrive. I was hyperaware of just how close he was to me. Then his hand fully slipped around my waist and pulled me against him. My heart skipped. His lips nuzzled into the side of my neck and the rest of me flew skywards. I swear I never thought this day would ever come. And then a dozen roses, white roses, appeared in front of me.

Erin

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Tainted Love Excerpt Tour - A Blue Million Books - Excerpt #5

Today there's two chances for you to get inside the pages of Tainted Love,

Then all I heard was screaming. My heart stopped. I flew out the door. Everyone was running in one direction. But not me. I froze at the porch. My eyes scanned the street. Where were you? I was looking for the most important three kids. No, two, because Caleb wasn’t there.

So far, I could only see Georgia. I saw the tears were pouring from her eyes. My heart dropped into my stomach. The fear, it lodged in my throat like a ball. “Darryl!”

I shot to the edge of the garden. The street was a war zone of twisted metal and tilting poles. Streets lights were held up by cables and solider like old oak trees.

“Someone call 911!” I yelled and pushed my way through the crowd. I dreaded what I’d find there. Some combination of you mangled with a car.

Get yourself on over to the A Blue Million Books to read the rest of this excerpt.



Erin

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Tainted Love Excerpt Tour and Giveaway - Regina May Ross - Excerpt #4

Here's another chance for you to get inside Faith and Cal's marriage. 

 Cal was as white as one of the sheets of paper still floating in the air. He was probably more stunned than I was. I couldn’t quite fathom what had just happened. He turned. I stepped. But how did his hand end up on my face? This just wasn’t possible. He just wouldn’t do that!

"Oh, God." The words gushed out on the air he breathed. No voice attached to them. "Faith, I'm sorry." Tears filled his eyes. "Faith, please...” He stepped forward, his hands hesitant as he reached for me. “Say something."

Check out the full except and giveaway at Regina May Ross

Erin

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Tainted Love Excerpt Tour and Giveaway - Ditzy Delusions - Excerpt #3

I visited Ditzy delusions on today to be greeted by a fabulous review of Tainted Love. 

Erin Cawood does not merely dip a toe into this subject matter, she dives all the way in to be engulfed by the magnitude of that which she is discussing. A well written novel with strong characters. Strong imagery resonates throughout and her words are left behind long after your reading is complete.

Find out what else Ditzy Delusions had to say about Tainted Love and read an excerpt from the novel. 

Erin

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Tainted Love Excerpt Tour and Giveaway - Chick Lit Chit Chat - Excerpt #2

Everything — the clothes, the feeling unwanted and unloved on Valentine’s Day, the fake labor pains, the just not wanting to be pregnant anymore — came out in three very angry, very loud words.

“I’m not Emma!”

I don’t think I ever raised my voice at Cal like that before. He looked stunned for a moment. Then his eyes darkened and his lips made a thin line, and he said, “No. No, you’re not. Emma would never have me racing to the hospital at four o clock in the morning with phantom labor pains!” I gasped at the venom in his voice. “One time, Faith? Fair enough. But two? Both times? I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life.” He walked out.

Get further inside the pages of Tainted Love over at Chick Lit Chit Chat



Erin

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Tainted Love Excerpt Tour & Giveaway - EveryFreeChance, except #1

Over dinner, Cal announced he was leaving the hospital to join Dad’s private practice, and I thought I knew what that meant…
Happy ever after… right?
That night, we walked along the beach to his favorite spot. As we sat with the waves lapping against the shore and the gulls picking at the remains of the outgoing tide, we talked. About the hospital, about Dad’s practice, about the future, about the fact Cal hadn’t contemplated even having a future for a long time.
“Faith…” His whisper carried on the early spring breeze.
We weren’t touching, but I felt a chill as he pulled away. He blocked off the tiny window I’d found into his soul. You see, men weren’t as touchy-feely twenty-odd years ago, so this small amount of emotional real estate carried a lot of value, and had an even higher price to lose.
“I’m falling in love with you,” he admitted.

Want to read some more ....?

Go on over to Every Free Chance to read the full excerpt and enter the giveaway.
 

Erin

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