For this week's Sneak Peek Sunday, I'm sharing
a sample of my new release, Shadows of Serenity. . In this scene, the ghost who haunts the yoga studio enters the body of one of the teacher training students. I love the forces interacting--beauty, grace, and strength all opposing evil within the young woman, Tara.
Joyce returned to the front and modeled the foundation
of the posture. “Now, like the others said, use the energy gathered beneath you
and power your legs. Check that your hips are square to the front, and allow
the Earth’s energy to rise. Bend the front knee and check that it doesn’t go
past the ankle. Now…use this foundation to power the rest of the pose above the
waist.” She demonstrated, and her fingers fluttered above her head.
Tara worked her pose from her feet, solid like roots.
She made each part strong before adding more. Like sunshine on her skin, the
strength warmed her. Her fingers unfurled like flower buds. Her hands became
lotus blossoms. This is so awesome!
Vines of energy snaked up her legs, bracing her. They
wound around her torso, shoulders, neck, and head. The sob that had been stuck
in her throat sprang upward, and tears rolled down her cheeks like life-giving
rain. The vines coiled onto her arms and wove among her fingers. The stems
squeezed her fingers like vises, and Tara jerked. That isn’t right! What is that?
Suddenly, the vines’ tendrils stole the energy from
her lotus hands and slithered back to the ground.
“Remember to breathe,” Joyce directed the class.
“Expand your chest. Take in the prana from Earth and sky. Good.”
Her flowers gone, Tara exhaled a held breath. With a
gulp of air, painful emotions charged through her mind. Her foundation
trembled. She crumbled onto her knees in Child’s pose, covering her face with
hair spilled over the mat.
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Shadows of Serenity
Genre: women's fiction paranormal fantasy/magical realism
Description:
Joyce Runsey spends her life savings to open a yoga studio in an historic Victorian St Augustine house, only to discover the property is haunted. A female ghost’s abusive and very much alive husband still tortures her by using dark witchcraft. The disruptive energy thwarts Joyce’s ambition to create a special environment to train students to become yoga teachers.
Joyce engages in a deadly battle with not only the tormented spirit, but also the dangerous husband. To protect her students from harm, she must overcome mounting obstacles. An unknown swami pays an unexpected visit to give advice on how to free the anguished ghost. Can Joyce comprehend and follow the wise man’s guidance in time to save everyone who depends on her?
Read a longer excerpt on my website.
Purchase Link:
Goodreads link:
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