A Fourth of July Surprise!

Well, not a surprise, exactly, because I kind of warned everyone on Facebook about it a few days ago. (Shhh. 😂) But…Fourth-of-July-themed-teaser!

AND…an excerpt! ❤️

Happy Fourth of July, and I hope you enjoy the teaser/excerpt! ❤️❤️❤️

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Excerpt:

“Have you ever experienced that?”

The sudden question startled Rose so much that she dropped the book in the floor. Rose winced as Zosime’s dark gaze shifted toward the leather-bound book—that didn’t belong to Rose. “I wasn’t snooping!” Rose said quickly. “I was just,” she paused, her voice lowering to a mumble, “looking through your things.”

Zosime knelt and picked up the book.

“Which is the definition of…snooping,” Rose added under her breath.

One corner of Zosime’s lips quirked up. “These are just my notes for the garden,” she said, holding up the book. “It isn’t the book you were looking for.”

Rose’s mouth fell open. “You’ve known all along,” she realized, “haven’t you?” When Zosime smiled, Rose rolled her eyes. “Of course you have. I’m an idiot.”

“Not really,” Zosime said. “You were looking in the right place, after all.”

Rose’s eyes widened. “I was?” she said, glancing at the shelf. She didn’t see another book that fit the description, but it didn’t matter, anyway. She knew that Zosime would never let her take it. “I assume you’ll call the princess now?”

“You assume wrong,” Zosime said with a smile. She set her notes on the desk and turned toward Rose. “If you answer my question, I’ll give you the book.”

“You’ll give me something that no one wants me to have,” Rose said, “in exchange for a…conversation?” She frowned suspiciously. “What’s the catch?”

“There isn’t one,” Zosime said, curiosity burning in her brown eyes. “So, tell me: have you ever experienced that,” she asked, “with anyone you’ve dated?”

Rose lifted her eyebrows. “I think you’re overestimating the amount of people I’ve dated.”

“With Kara, then,” Zosime said. “Have you ever felt like that with her?”

“Kara?” Rose said. Her brows furrowed, as she thought about it. “No.”

“Really?” Zosime said, her brows high. “Never?”

“My feelings for Kara have never been that…simple,” Rose explained. She felt a sudden urge to smile, as she shrugged shyly. “With Kara, everything always feels so…bright and explosive.”

Zosime smiled. “You mean like…fireworks?”

“Well, I was thinking more like an exploding star,” Rose muttered, frowning, “but yours sounds sweeter.”

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from my upcoming book, The Reign of Darkness

Book Four of the Creatures of Darkness Series

©️Britney Jackson