But it does have a happy ending –– in fact, that's the excerpt I've posted below. And this happy ending leads directly into book nine which ends with EVERYONE happy.
BLURB: The Spring Equinox falls in the month that nearly all Native Traditions recognize as being one of Big Winds--big changes. And big changes have certainly come to Oberon this spring, along with an ancient evil that must finally be laid to rest.
Cara Matthews is a girl with a troubled past and a very troubling present. The teenage girlfriend of Oberon's newest guru has always looked for love in all the worst places. And it doesn't get much worse than the Church of Truth, Light and Harmony.
Former cop Liam McKnight could have told her that, but he's infiltrated the cult in hopes of discovering some clue to the whereabouts of his missing family members, and he can't jeopardize his mission--not even for love.
In a month marked by birth, death and marriage, the inhabitants of Oberon must all come to terms with what's really important to each of them--important enough to die for. Only one thing is certain; when the winds of change finally stop blowing nothing, and no one, will be the same.
EXCERPT:
The high school auditorium was filled to capacity. There were no seats available, and even standing room was limited. But that was fine with Liam. He wasn’t looking to sit and he was happy right where he was––just inside the door, hidden in the shadows––where he could observe, without being observed.
Up on the stage, the school’s vice principal stood at the podium reading from a list of names while a steady stream of bright faced, blue robed girls climbed the stairs and crossed the stage to receive their diplomas and shake the principal’s hand.
Liam’s palms were already sweating and as the list went on, his tension mounted. “C’mon, c’mon,” he muttered beneath his breath. The D’s and the G’s seemed to take forever and the L’s were another eternity. But finally, the moment he’d been waiting for arrived.
“Cara Matthews,” the vice principal announced.
There was a pause in the stream. The newest graduate took a somewhat longer time to climb the stairs than those who had gone before her. Liam’s eyes filled with tears as she crossed the stage with an obvious limp. But though her stride was halting there was a determined tilt to her chin and Liam’s heart swelled with pride at the sight of her.
“Way to go, Caramel,” he murmured as she at last reached her goal. Spontaneous applause broke out from the audience and Liam had to gulp back a sob. He slipped out through the door before she turned to make her way back to her seat. He didn’t want to risk her seeing him. He didn’t want anything to disrupt her big day.
Sunlight stung his eyes as he exited the building. He’d sent flowers and balloons––but no notes. Maybe he was fooling himself thinking they could have a future, or even part of a future together. It could be that the sight of him would forever trigger nothing but painful memories of a time she’d rather forget. He didn’t know how she felt about him, but he was quite sure that––today especially––she could do very well without anything that might remind her of the hell Gregg had put her through.
Anyone would need time to recover from an ordeal like that and Liam had promised himself that he’d give her that time––time to recover, to graduate, to put the past behind her and decide on a direction for her future. If she chose to leave town, so be it. But, if she stayed...
She had a birthday coming up soon, her eighteenth. In four weeks she’d be an adult and he would give himself one chance to win her over.
When he reached his car he turned, and took one last look at the school. “Way to go Caramel,” he repeated again, softly. “See ya when you’re legal.”
* * *
Several hours to the north, in the City of Berkeley, high school graduation had already taken place. Most of the new graduates were still partying. But not Deirdre Shelton-Cooper.
Deirdre was not in the mood to party. She was in the mood to hit the road––just as quickly as possible.
Her original plan had been to travel for the summer, take some time off, visit some friends. But, over the last couple of months all those plans fell apart. She knew a growing sense of urgency, and with each day that passed she felt more and more strongly that Oberon was where she needed to be. Now. Right now.
She couldn’t wait for August. She was leaving now. Tonight. She packed the last of her things in her trunk, secured her cat in the front seat and hugged her parents goodbye.
The afternoon sun was shining on the waters of San Francisco Bay as she steered her car onto the 880, heading South.
Deirdre sighed happily. She was finally on her way. Her future looked bright and full of promise. “Oberon, here I come.”
* * *
Check out my website to learn more about the Oberon series. Or join my Facebook Group, The Crone's Nest, for news about when the series will be returning AND receive the FREE prequel novella, Such Fleeting Pleasures.
Lucy and Dan Cavanaugh have one of Oberon's hottest marriages. But it wasn't all strawberries and cream for the pair...or was it?
In this Oberon series prequel, we travel back in time to see how their love story began.
While the rest of the series is due for a reboot, and (hopefully) will return later this year, Such Fleeting Pleasures will ONLY be available as a free download to members of my readers group.
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