Reflecting on Thanksgiving by Katherine Grey, author of Impetuous

One of my favorite things about the fall season is Thanksgiving.  We always have a large gathering of at least 15 people for dinner and other guests who pop in and out throughout the day as they make their way to family members’ homes.  Unfortunately, the holidays seem to be the only time I see some of my relatives who live out of state or even just a few hours away.

Because we have such a large group of people for dinner with many diverse religions, we don’t say a prayer before eating.  Instead we go around the table and each person says one thing he or she is thankful for.  Some of the things said can be truly heart felt while others can be quite comical like the one time my nephew said he was thankful his grandmother, and not his mother, made the pie we’d be eating later for dessert.  

As Thanksgiving grows closer, I find myself reflecting on the past year and all that I’m thankful for.  How can I choose just one thing to state at our family dinner?  Because of that limitation, I’ve decided to list a few of the things I’m thankful for here.

1.)    As I look around and see friends taking care of an aging parent, I’m so very thankful for my mother’s good health.

2.)    Given the unemployment rate and the economy, I’m thankful I have a job. (Even though I’d love to be able to devote my time to working as a full-time writer.)

3.)    After 4 knee surgeries in 4 years, I’m so thankful for my health and that I haven’t had to have knee replacement…yet.  I’m also thankful my orthopedist doesn’t like to do knee replacements on patients who are younger than 55 unless there’s no other alternative and that I’m quite a number of years away from 55.

4.)    I’m thankful I can write the stories of my heart and be able to share them with others.

5.)    I’m thankful for my fellow Wild Rose Press authors who so generously share their knowledge and advice and who are so wonderfully supportive.

Do you find yourself thinking about the things you’re thankful for at this time of year?  I’d love to hear some of them.

Blurb:
Mateo de Montayas, an impoverished Spanish count, comes to England to recover a stolen family heirloom and to satisfy his hunger for revenge against the man who destroyed his family. Arriving in London, he learns his hated enemy died three years before but has left behind a daughter. What better way to retrieve the heirloom and exact revenge than to use her to his advantage?

Teresa Darlington will do anything to keep scandal away from her frail mother and prove her father wasn't a thief, even risk her reputation in a race to find the missing heirloom before the Count does. But she didn't count on falling in love with the man determined to ruin her family. Can she find the heirloom before he does and protect her family, or will her heart lead her in a different direction?


Excerpt:

The halls had been left dark in this part of the mansion. Her hand cupped around the candle, she prayed the flame wouldn’t go out.

As the entrance to the library loomed ahead of her, a figure materialized out of the darkness. She jumped back, losing her grip on the candle. 

With a quick movement, the intruder caught it in mid-air. Before she could scream, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her against his chest and into the room.

He extinguished the candle with a breath of air that stirred the tendrils of her hair.

She shivered. Her heart beating out of control, she swallowed and fought back the panic that threatened to take hold. Teresa’s gaze darted around the room for a means of escape. If she screamed, would anyone hear her over the noise of the ball?

Moonlight cast shadows along enormous bookcases lining the walls. The balcony doors stood open, the pale silk drapes fluttering in the breeze.

“Well, well, isn’t this a surprise?”

Teresa stiffened at the sound of the deep, husky voice. She would know that arrogant tone anywhere. Her heart picked up speed. Slowly, she met his gaze. He wore the mask and clothes of black as he had done in their previous encounter.

He released her with an impudent grin.

Eager to put space between them, she crossed the room and stood with her arms folded on the back of a chair. “What are you doing here? This is too much to be a coincidence.”

“I agree. Why do you always seem to appear where I am?”

“Me?” She gestured to herself in outrage. “I am a guest here. I have been a guest at every occasion that we’ve had the misfortune to meet.”

“But why are you here and not in the ballroom with the others?” He moved toward her, gliding across the room like a shadow. “Perhaps, you were searching for me, eh?”

“And perhaps I took a knock in the cradle when I was a child,” Teresa snapped. “Do you think me completely addle-brained? Why would I be searching for you when I didn’t know you would appear like

some wraith out of the mist?” Anger drained away her normal reserve around members of the opposite

sex. She moved closer and stabbed him in the chest with her finger. “If I knew you’d be here, in this

house, I wouldn’t have come within a day’s journey of it.”

He grabbed her hand as she poked him again. “And why is that?”

“Because,” she nearly shouted, “you cut up my peace. I can’t concentrate on my studies. I’ve become

completely muddle-headed. I even mislaid my notebook. I never mislay my notebook.” Her mouth snapped shut as she realized what she’d said.

He pulled her closer, laying a finger against her lips. “Then perhaps,” he whispered, lowering his

head, “I have come in search of you.”

He brushed his mouth over hers, a light touch that hinted at things to come. Teresa pushed at his chest. Propriety ruled her head for the moment but for how much longer?

You can purchase a copy at any of the following links:

The Wild Rose Press: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=905

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Impetuous-ebook/dp/B005J7K52M/ref=ntt_at_ep_edition_2_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/impetuous-katherine-grey/1105052736?ean=2940013040984&itm=4&usri=impetuous#CustomerReviews