Please Welcome Author Rebecca Royce
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BOOKS READ 'N' MAKEUP DONE!
I was an okay student in high school. Mostly, I waited all day for English class. Doing my homework for that study was never a problem for me. Whatever we were reading, whenever we read it, I loved to talk about it. Reading for me has always been so much more than just learning about a book.
For me, no matter what I am reading, I get lost in it. I can read for hours and hours, lost track of everything around me, and forget the real world even exists. Writing is exactly the same way. Until recently. When I developed Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and I had to become a smarter writer and remind myself to take breaks. I had a little bit of trouble adjusting to this, but ultimately I think that I am now okay.
How about you? What do you lose yourself in?
Benedicte Lavelle is a single father raising two small daughters. When his neighbors put him in charge of handling the haunting that plagues their neighborhood, he has no choice but to use disreputable means in order to bring in a Conditioned ghost hunter to help with their problem. He doesn’t expect to be drawn to the young woman who arrives at his house in chains. He doesn’t expect to have his entire life thrown into upheaval when she is snatched away.
Conditioned prisoner Seven-Two-Four has never had a name. She cannot read, and is scheduled to die as soon as she is returned to the Institution. The Conditioned are not considered human, but Seven can see ghost energy and she can love Ben like no one ever has before.
When fate takes Seven from Ben’s arms, can he move on and find a new purpose in life or will he be forever trapped by the need to rescue those like his lost love?
As a teenager, I would hide in my room to read my favorite romance novels when I was supposed to be doing my homework. I hope, these days, that my parents think it was worth it.
I am the mother of three adorable boys and I am fortunate to be married to my best friend. We live in northern New Jersey and try not to freeze too badly during the winter months.I am in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and try to use all of these elements in my writing. I've been told I'm a little bloodthirsty so I hope that when you read my work you'll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. I love to write
series because I love to see characters develop over time and it always makes me happy to see my favorite characters make guest appearances in other books.
In my world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.
Excerpt
“Does it take this much out of you every time you do it?”
“No.” She raised a dainty hand to rub at her eyes. “I was already tired. I shouldn’t have attempted it. I wanted to give you the services you’re entitled to. I don’t want to fail at this job. Not right before my death.”
His stomach turned at the thought. She didn’t know how old she was, but in his mind she couldn’t be more than thirty, and maybe she was even younger.
“I don’t want you doing anything that might cause you pain. I’m responsible for your welfare.”
She nodded, her blue eyes sad as they looked at him. “Okay, sir.”
“Ben. Please call me Ben.”
“I can’t do that.”
He rubbed her hair out of her eyes. “You can. What can I get you? Water? Food?”
“I know it’s very early but I really need some sleep. I’d rather save my meal for tomorrow, if that’s okay?”
His heart broke every time she spoke about her expectations. “Seven, listen to me. While you’re here I’m going to feed you three meals a day. Maybe a snack too, if you want one. I’m in charge, right? You have to do what I tell you, and I’m informing you that despite what Madame says, you will eat a lot here.”
The smallest smile formed on her lips. “Really? I don’t want you to get into trouble.”
He helped her sit up, feeling sorry he had to let her go at all. She was a young woman—and he didn’t care who disagreed, she was, in fact a woman and not an it—and she was in his home. Ben was
responsible for her well-being. God help anyone who told him how he was going to care for someone who lived within his walls. No one would abuse her here.
“I won’t get into trouble. I’m a lawyer. You can trust me to know what I can do within the law.” He stood up. “You’re welcome to go to bed. I’d also be glad to feed you.”
“Where should I sleep?” She looked down on the floor and he followed her gaze. Suddenly, he understood what she thought.
“Not on the floor. No way.” He extended his hand and was relieved when she took it. “We have beds in this house. You’ll use one.”
“Thank you.”
The simplicity of her gratefulness made him stop in his tracks. Who might this woman have been if she’d not been Conditioned?
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