charlene wilson | Shannon Donnelly's Fresh Ink

Today we have Charlene Wilson, an author of paranormal tales that take you away to other dimensions. She weaves magic, lasting love, and intrigue to immerse you into the lives of her characters. And she brings you her latest heroine, Kami…

Kami fumbled with the note in her hands and gazed around Shannon Donnelly’s Blog. The beautiful flowers nodded their bulbous blossoms as a soft breeze blew. Memories of long strolls on the floral-bordered river trail at home filled her with thoughts of Ian’s warmed smile, kind hazel gaze, and his head of black wavy hair that couldn’t seem to resist the wind. Her heart ached, as she knew she might never have those moments with him again.

Dropping her gaze to the folded message, she gnawed on her lower lip. Should she go through with her plan? He didn’t know of the sweetness of Valentine’s Day, how this dimension celebrated love. She could just stuff it the pocket of her cape and forget the whole thing.

Kami traced the red heart she had drawn on the upper left corner. No, I need to do this. He has to know.

Releasing an anxious breath, she looked over her shoulder to the garden gate. Where is Charlene? She’s late.

“I heard that thought, and I’m not late. You’re early.”

The gate swung open and Charlene winked at Kami as she entered. “I kind of thought you’d take to our holiday, Kami, you being the romantic that you are.”

“Ian would love it, too.” A weak grin tugged the edges of her lips upward, but her conviction burned strong with her decision. She held out the hand-written valentine. “You will give it to him won’t you?”

Taking it from her, Charlene smiled and her head leaned to the side. “Of course I will.”

“And tell him…” she wrung her fingers and her red gloves twisted, distorting the intricate knit patterns. “Please tell him how much I love him. Charlene, tell him I was an idiot.”

“Oh, I’m not going to say that.” Charlene tucked the valentine into her sweater pocket. “If you feel that strongly about this, why not have it displayed at Ravencraft Romance Realm’s Love Letters ‘n’ Lattes? You can proclaim your love for him on February 14^th for the whole World Wide Web to see.”

A spark of thrill flashed through Kami’s chest and jetted to her toes. “That would be perfect! Do you think they’d let me do that?”

“I’m certain of it. I happen to be one of the contributing romance authors there.”

Kami couldn’t hold back a wide smile. She spread her arms wide and inhaled the sweet aroma of the beautiful red flora around them. “He’s sure to know I mean it, then, if I proclaim it to the entire dimension.”

She grasped Charlene’s elbows and looked into her blue eyes. “You will show him won’t you. I know you can one way or another, being our author.”

“Oh, Kami. You bet I will.” Charlene patted her cheek and nodded toward the blog readers. “Now, let’s get this introduce of One for Kami going and invite everyone to join in the tour-wide giveaway. We have some great prizes and they need to know they can get all the details at Charlene Blogs.”

Excitement bubbled in Kami’s heart and her brows rose with her exclamation. “That’s right! So many prizes to giveaway, all because my story was just released.”

She turned to the readers and she knew her countenance had to be glowing. “There will be four prize packages! A One for Kami SWAG package, a Juicy Fruit prize package…” she glance at Charlene, “honestly, there’s got to be a way for me to nab that one,” she snickered, then back to the crowd, “A $10 Amazon gift card…”

Charlene grabbed her hand and held it up for all to see. “And your red gloves! We can’t forget the best part. KnitWit’s Knits & Crochet is making a special pair for this tour and offering One for Kami fans a 20% discount if they order something from their Etsy Shop by using the coupon code One4Kami! How great is that?”

“I can’t wait to see my gloves with the Hearts on Her Sleeve pattern on them.”

“I ordered a pair for myself. That prize alone is a $20 value!”

Sighing, Kami relaxed and allowed her breath to speak her thoughts. “I love my story.”

Charlene leaned her head, pride shining in her eyes. “And so will everybody else, sweetie.” She squeezed Kami’s hand. “I know they will.”

Thank you for having us here today, Shannon. It’s a real treat! Have your readers get those Kindles ready, because One for Kami is FREE to download at Amazon right now! (Feb 14^th)! It’s a Sweet Sci-Fi Romance, the perfect “lunch-time” read.

One for Kami

Can love be true if shared with more than one? Kami doesn’t think so when she finds Ian is an elite and required to take three wives to eliminate the poverty-stricken population. Why can’t he be poor the way she thought he was when she fell in love with him?

Determined to find a realm that doesn’t have such dictates, she travels to dimension Three-Two-Three to begin her search. But is love truer in a place that only allows one spouse than it is in Ian’s heart?

What they’re saying

“Sweet, romantic, and heartfelt. A great introduction to the author’s world.”—J.D. Brown Book Club

“One for Kami is a story that will have you willing to give up everything for your one true love.”—Annette, Gothic Mom’s Book Reviews

“[Wilson] spins a tale of true love spanning time and dimensions that will inspire the reader to sacrifice everything to find their soul mate.”—Debbie, Read2Review

Excerpt

Voices surged and Kami clung to the illegible sounds. A low groan rode alongside them. The vocals ebbed from her mind. Mute gray light drifted before her eyes, a flash of white, and then a haze. Darkness covered her vision. A sour pang caused her to lurch and she heaved, the voices clambering from a distance. The back of her skull thudded against a hard surface. Words broke between melodic and static riffs.

“Kami, breathe.”

Another groan punctuated the din, so close she opened her eyes to find the source. A woman’s profile came to view, a bright silver aura hazing the edges. Her long arched nose and narrow chin set a shocking presentation to add to her crinkled eyes and white hair. Her thin lips moved with a soft sound. “Get that cleaned up before she sees it.”

The senior turned to her, and Kami’s focus zeroed in on her pale blue eyes. Eerie yet kind, they held her attention. Folds on the woman’s face deepened with her smile. “Well, you made it. You had us worried there.”

Kami blinked hard and swallowed, acid burning the back of her throat. “What happened?”

“You were a little nervous during the transport, that’s all.” The woman nodded to someone off to the side and Kami rolled her head to the side to see who it was. The silver-blue aura stretched to the edge of a circular platform and she realized she lay on Ober’s transport base.

“Let’s get you sitting up. It’ll clear your mind and help you focus.” The escort slid her hand behind Kami’s neck.

As she pushed herself up, heat pulsed in her lower abs, spasms rushing through her core. Her breath hitched and she leaned forward, pressing her arm along her hips until the sensations dulled. A heavy sigh rushed from her lungs, causing the ache in her breasts to intensify. She brushed her palm along her chest to relieve the sensitivity, but it sent chills down her spine. A shutter clenched her stomach and the process started all over again.

God, this is awkward. I need privacy here.

A chuckle rumbled to her left and she glanced at the man beyond the hazy stage. His blond hair curled around his forehead and tapered to a band of shaved hair along the back of his head. His white lab coat hung loose around his lanky shoulders. A wide smile bloomed on his lips as he knelt beside her and held out a bottle of water.

His brown eyes sparkled with humor. “You’ll be mighty sensitive in those regions for a while with the level of panic you emitted. But that side effect will let up.”

She accepted the drink, a question on the tip of her tongue she didn’t want to voice.

“All of this affected your nerves,” he motioned to her private parts as if he had every right, “and those there are the most sensitive parts of a body. I’d take you as my third right now just to enjoy the fallout. Yes, sir, close the quota with a redheaded elite.”

Kami leaned away from him and his offensive comment. That is wrong on so many levels. How rude could one person get?

The woman pursed her lips into a little grin. “This is Conrad. I’m Coral. We’ll show you around the city and get you acquainted with things before we let you roam on your own. We can show you key areas to envision so you can sync and not have to deal with the vehicles they use here. Horrid contraptions if you ask me. Just remember to be hidden when you do so nobody sees you disappear. Of course, we’ll be around should you need us during your stay.” She motioned with her nod. “Now, let’s get you off this Ober base and steady on your feet.”

Kami glanced at the platform. “Sure glad this fog isn’t a lingering effect.”

Conrad’s cheery chuckle burst into laughter and he held out his hand to help her up. She grumbled under her breath and with a glower accepted the offer. His fingers slowly wrapped around hers and his thumb brushed along the top of her palm with light caresses. The sensual touch sent a charge to her nipples and spasms to her core. Her breath hitched, fire burning her cheeks and ears as she flush.

Her gaze snapped to the glint in his eye. The idiot did that on purpose! She snatched her hand from his grasp. “I think I’ll let Coral help me up.”

Another burst of mirth spit from Conrad and his hand flew to his mouth, stifling it into a sloppy snort. He peeked at her through gleeful lids and turned his palm to her in an apologetic gesture.

Kami looked at Coral to find the woman’s lips pinched between her teeth, the corners fighting to keep a serious regard.

I have to deal with these people for a week? She swore under her breath and slid from the platform, abandoning the bottled water. Pushing herself to a stand, she steadied her feet and tugged at her blouse to regain any dignity she had left.

Coral’s head tilted to the side and her white waves brushed her cheek. “Oh, Kami, I’m sorry, dear.” She pulled her into a hug. “Things will settle down.”

Conrad sniffled and folded his arms across his chest, nodding with agreement as he calmed.

Her pale blue gaze sought Kami’s as she held her at arm’s length. Brows pulling together, she whispered. “You are still a Vella, correct?”

Kami hesitated, studying the lady’s demeanor. What does being a maiden have to do with anything? “Yes.”

“Then I suggest you keep a little distance between you and fellows while you’re here. They’ll flock to you with that beautiful hair and those sweet blue eyes. And you’ll find them hard to resist in your current state.” She winked. “Gotta save yourself for marriage, you know.”

Riotous cackles exploded and Conrad doubled over, staggering to catch his balance.

Kami’s mouth dropped open. “God, give me a break!” Shrugging out of Coral’s touch, she marched along the cobbled path toward the exit. “I’ll find my own way around.”

As she gripped the doorknob, realization caused her to pause. She glanced at her snickering guides. “Um… Is my new boss a man or a woman?”

Conrad’s mirth rose to a new level and filled the arboretum. She huffed and marched out the door, his snorts and cries following her until he choked on his own breath.

Get your copy of One for Kami at Amazon: http://bit.ly/OneforKami FREE February 14th! If you miss that, leave a comment for a free book given away on March 1.