Hola Kindle-ites!!! It’s been a while since I’ve participated in a blog hop so I thought…there is no time like the present. Today I have not 1 but 2 books up for grabs. Identity Issues and Intimacy Issues by Claudia Whitsitt! To wet your whistle, I’ve attached they synopsis for both AND an excerpt!!! Don’t forget…this IS A HOP so once you finish here, stop by the other blogs and see what THEY have up for grabs!!! Good Luck! – Misty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

The trip to the mountains took us along narrow roads and winding curves. As Toshi drove, he explained the road we traveled was one of the most picturesque along kiso Valley. Densely forested with the famous hinoki, the Japanese cypresses which had furnished the wood for many of the castles and shrines, the beauty of my surroundings overcame me, the lush greens and soft browns briefly soothing my spirit. Sun streamed through the clouds overhead, and I felt somewhat swept away by the moment. Maybe everything would be okay. I leaned my head against McGrath’s shoulder and prayed.

Then, the startling realization that Jon had probably traveled this same road struck me like a cleaver between the eyes. What had he been thinking on this drive? Was he overwhelmed by the majesty of the mountains, too? We had always enjoyed exploring new worlds together. Had he even thought of me during his trip? Wished I’d been there to share it with him? Or had he been too wrapped up in what’s–her–name? A knot formed in my stomach. I swallowed, hoping to keep down my breakfast.

I closed my eyes and wrung my hands. I just wanted to reach the site of Jon’s accident. To have it done and over with. Ten minutes later, Toshi pulled into an overlook and instructed us to exit the vehicle for a short walk down the road. Thankfully, the road, both narrow and steep, was lightly traveled. Not a safe place for a pedestrian, which reminded me I had five kids at home who’d already lost one parent.

Toshi stopped and bowed. He then nodded at McGrath, and I understood his gesture. This was the site of Jon’s crash. I began to hyperventilate. My stomach knotted. I wanted my husband back. Or I wanted to throw myself over the cliff and join him in the great beyond. I couldn’t bear to live without him for one more minute.

Come back to me, Jon. I choked back a sob. Please, come back.

I’d fooled myself for over a year now into thinking he’d simply made a wrong turn and crashed. In reality, he’d been several hundred feet up in the air. When Jon’s car had veered right, it had leapt off the side of a cliff. Vomit rose in my throat as I peered over the edge of the embankment.

It had to have taken several seconds before Jon and his passenger hit the valley floor. Wait. No one could have survived this crash. I knew in that moment I’d been duped again. No one had been in the car with Jon. Damn it. I refused to hand over this moment to Stitsill.

This moment belonged to me.

I stepped to the guardrail and peered over. What had Jon thought in his final moments? Had he thought of me? Had he uttered my name? Called for the children? Told us he loved us? Had he seen his life flash before him? Did he have regrets?

Come back, Jon. I’m right here waiting for you.

I couldn’t turn off my brain, or my shaking limbs, or the stabbing in my heart.

“I’m so sorry, Jon,” I said.

The world began to spin out of control. McGrath came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

“Deep breaths, Sweetie,” he instructed. “Deep breaths.”

I tried to follow orders, but I couldn’t. Toshi rushed to my side as well. He and McGrath found a place for me to sit. I tucked my head between my knees. My ears rang. My heart raced. In that moment, I thought I might die. And in that moment, I would have welcomed death.

* * *

McGrath waited patiently, his steadying hand atop my shoulder. It took me a good long while, but somehow my respiration evened out and the world came back into focus. A full minute later, I began to hear normal sounds again rather than the white noise of sheer panic. First, the wind rustling through leaves, then McGrath and Toshi’s soft murmurings. I inhaled a floral scent. Clean mountain air? Probably. In any case, strength finally returned to my legs again, and with McGrath’s aid, I was able to stand.

“Do you wish to return to the hotel?” Toshi asked, his gentle voice weighted with concern.

“Thank you, no,” I said. “I’m feeling much better.”

He nodded. Jon had often reminded me that the Japanese showed little outward emotion. I suspected my display left Toshi feeling uncomfortable and unsettled. McGrath stood sentry beside me as I gazed out over the expanse below the deadly drop–off. We stood in silence for a long moment. Then, McGrath looked over Toshi’s notes and explained the events of Jon’s fatal crash to me.

The investigators surmised Jon had become distracted, either by the GPS, his fictitious passenger, or from taking in the sights. The crash had occurred at dusk, a difficult time for clear visibility. Add to that a thick fog which had settled over the mountains early that evening. Any one of those things could have caused Jon to become distracted and miss the sharp turn in the road where he veered off the cliff and into oblivion. Or, someone could have forced him off the road. The message from the back of the newspaper clipping flashed through my mind. “You’re next.”

My eyes filled with tears. Overcome with a profound sadness, I silently prayed. May God bless your soul, Jon, and may I preserve the best parts of your life and your legacy. For our family’s sake. Amen.

McGrath pulled me close to him. I broke down, sobbed into his chest, then blew my nose into the handkerchief he offered me and sighed. I felt like a fish washed ashore. Goosebumps rose on my flesh, despite the smothering heat.

I turned away from the precipice. “Let’s go,” I whispered. “There’s no rush,” McGrath assured me.
“I’m done here.”

 

 

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