Haunted Halloween: Gwen Hayes (Exclusive!!!) + A Giveaway!!

Falling Under Excerpt
*Exclusive, never before seen - First time online!!!
copyright Gwen Hayes

No matter how far I went towards the music, I got no closer. It always seemed “just over here” a little more, and I carried on further and further until I realized I was in a maze of shrubbery. A labyrinth.

Only there shouldn’t have been one on the grounds.

Turn back. But it was too late. I tried but the path changed as I walked and I had the sensation that I was walking towards the middle of the maze instead of back to my house no matter what I did.

The haunting strains of an unfamiliar melody filtered through the branches. My trained ear picked the musicians out to be a quartet. The tune captured a gothic mood and was rising to a crescendo when I arrived to a gazebo alight in candles.

I should be panicking. Yet, the pull was so strong, like a moth to flame I carried on.

Cautiously, I made my way up the steps. The candles were tied to thorny branches, eerie yet beautiful. I rubbed my arms, but the shivers continued. A nightgown was little protection.

“I’d always hoped you’d come, but I didn’t dare expect you.”

My breath hitched at the masculine voice. I whirled towards it instead of away, like a smart girl would have done.

The young man bowed deeply. “Theia.”

He wore an old fashioned gray suit, with tails on the jacket and a black cravat pinned with a symbol I didn’t recognize. His dark hair was thick and looked so soft I had to resist the urge to touch him. Looking into his dark eyes was like falling into the stars, making me feel weightless and disoriented.

“Who are you?” I asked, at odds and embarrassed that he was dressed so formally while I was dressed for bed.

“I’m so happy you’ve come,” he answered. “Now the celebration can commence.”

I stole another look at him. He was taller than me and the cut of his jacket could have distorted his figure, but I didn’t think it did. Broad shoulders and a tapered waist, like that of an athlete. His face was perfect…but not. Unearthly, yet beautiful.

He clapped his hands twice, and the spans of green grass surrounding the gazebo ignited instantly with candelabras and torches, illuminating what appeared to be a party in progress.

A jeweled pewter goblet was thrust into my hand, and I surveyed the scene in wonder. Tables sheeted in red and black cloths were laden with food and drink. The revelers, costumed in silk and lace, smiled garishly at each other and carried on muted conversations without moving their lips, their faces made up like lurid clowns.

The orchestral quartet drew my gaze as they started a new, haunting song similar to the one that led me to the gazebo. But it wasn’t the song that held my attention. It was their appearance. Much like the man standing next to me, they were dressed to the nines—black tuxedos and top hats. But where their faces should have been, instead they bore only flesh with no features.

I gasped in horror. “What is happening?”

I turned to my host, and his face clouded briefly with what looked like regret. Quickly, he returned his debonair mask over his features. “You look lovely.”

I wanted to scream or cry with frustration. I was frightened by what I was seeing, what I was feeling, but instead I answered, “Thank you.”

He smiled and it was beautiful and horrible what I saw in it. Hope that should not be born and desire that could never fruit. Whether they were my feelings or his, I did not know.

My fingers relaxed on the stem of the goblet and it slipped through my hands. In slow motion, the cup fell to the ground, spilling blood red liquid throughout its descent.

I awoke in my bed, my nightgown stained red.

Title: Falling Under

Synopsis: In her dreams he’s irresistible—seductive, charming, and undoubtedly dangerous. But when he appears to her when she’s awake—and captivates her just the same—she’s not sure which way is up and which is down.

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life, not allowed the same freedoms as the rest of the teenagers in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, she feels every urge she’s ever denied burning through her at the slightest glance from Haden Black. Theia knows she’s seen Haden before—not around town, but in her dreams.

Theia doesn’t understand how she dreamed of Haden before they ever met, but every night has them joined in a haunting world of eerie fantasy. And as the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her forward one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear. And as she slowly discovers what Haden truly is, Theia’s not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

Available from New American Library March 1, 2011.

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Gwen has donated a $10.00 Amazon Gift card
for this giveaway!!!
So exciting!

Here are the rules and how to enter:

You MUST complete the form to enter. No entries in comments please they won't count. Comments are welcome, so share your love with Gwen!
You must be at least 13 years old to enter.
This contest is open to INTERNATIONAL!
Contest ends: Oct. 28th, 2010

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!

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Good luck to everyone who enters. If you have any questions, please see my policy page or feel free to email.

A huge Thank You goes out to Gwen for saying yes to our event, giving me the honor of sharing for the first time the exclusive Excerpt from Falling Under, which I am SO excited to read!! And thank you so much for the donation making this giveaway possible!!

Check out Jessica's Haunted Halloween post with............

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