Introducing C. Marie Bowen

After a car accident, Courtney Veau has a “near death” experience, and returns to her past-life in the post-Civil War west. When she wakes in a present-day hospital, Courtney realizes she’s returned to her own hollow existence. Heartbroken, she knows she left behind not only a family she loves, but life with the man who shares her soul, a man she’ll love forever, Merril Shilo.

A carriage accident nearly takes beautiful Nichole Harris’s life, stealing her memories completely. Plagued by amnesia, she is confused by flashes of memory that are out of time with the world around her, and seem to belong to someone else. Only Nichole's own strong emotions remain to guide her—and as others try to take control of her life, she fights a desperate battle to survive. Merril Shilo is someone she should know, and though her memories fail her, she is stunned by her passion for him—and the remembered agony of a broken heart.

Merril Shilo is the love of Courtney’s life—no matter when that life might be. The memories and emotions of her life as ranch heiress Nichole Harris consume Courtney’s mind—and her heart. Courtney soon finds her desire for Merril threatens her sanity, as he beckons from a past she can no longer reach. Can she find the PASSAGE back to the soul-mate she left behind?

EXCERPT

   The long shadows faded into twilight. She'd found what she came for—proof this house existed. There was no longer a reason to stay; and yet, just the possibility she might hear his voice again kept her waiting one more day.
   Outside the window, night took final possession of the day. A few porch lights came on down the block. Headlights swung around the corner as a car turned onto the street and illuminated the pavement. The headlights winked off and a car door slammed.
   Behind her, the room took on a familiar chill. She turned from the window and pressed her back against the heavy drapes as the echo of heavy boots pounded up the back stairs. She gasped when he raced into the room, vaguely luminescent in the darkness. He was dressed in denim trousers and cotton shirt, with a silk scarf tied loosely around his neck. Where's his hat? Had he lost it in the race up the stairs? That wide-brimmed cowboy hat was such a part of him he seemed naked without it. His hair had come loose from its binding, and he shoved it out of his face with a familiar motion. She stood close enough to read the emotion play across his face, a mixture of fear and bewilderment. His breath was labored, and his anxiety tangible as he stopped and looked right at her. Her mouth fell open in surprise and her heart tightened in her chest. Does he see me?

    He took a hesitant step toward her. “Nichole?” His voice filled with horror, he whispered her name from another life.
    “Yes! Merril, it's me.” Courtney stepped toward the specter.
    His head turned. His attention called away from her open arms. “Oh, sweet Jesus.” Merril fell to his knees and reached for something no longer there. “Nicki, please don't go. Stay with me.”
    “Merril,  I'm here.” Her heart ached for him and for herself, but her plea went unheard.
    Sobs shook his wide shoulders.
    Her heart clenched to witness his despair. She longed to comfort him, to assure him she was there, but could not. In defeat, she sank to her knees beside the grieving apparition.
    “Nicki, don't leave me. Look at me—” His hushed voice, choked and broken.
    “I'm right here, my love,” she whispered, but the room grew warm and Merril Shilo faded back into the past. Courtney hung her head in the darkness and fought back tears.

    One question was answered, at least for now.

I’m delighted to introduce my friend, C Marie.

She is an award winning writer of paranormal adventures laced with suspense and romance. She grew up in Denver, Colorado, and now resides north of Fort Worth, Texas. She is a PRO member of RWA, Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Sub-chapter of RWA, and NTRWA.

CLOVER: How often to you get lost in a story?

C. MARIE: All the time.  Sometimes, it is one of my own stories while I am writing. I also enjoy getting lost in a new book that I just can't put down.  I'm also a big fan of cinema, so I see a lot of movies – even if I've already read the book. 

CLOVER: Fairy Tale or Action Adventure?

C. MARIE: I like Fairy Tales, but Action Adventure is more my style. I enjoyed Harry Potter (book and movie), the Divergent series, and now the movie.  I never miss Game of Thrones, even though I've read the books. It is the same with Outlander. Those are two of my favorite authors—GRRM and Diana Gabaldon. I also get lost in all of Robin Hobb's stories. 

  

CLOVER:  You are a girl after my own heart. Outlander, yes. Who’s your favorite villain?

C. MARIE: Any villain played by Alan Rickman--from Prof. Snapes, in Harry Potter, to  Hans Gruber, in Die Hard.  Outside of Mr. Rickman's acting talents, I would choose the recent Maleficent remake.  Maleficent is a villain that is both good and bad. They did a great job with that show.

CLOVER: You had me at Alan Rickman. What do you love most about interacting with your fans?

C. MARIE:  I love to find out which character “spoke” to the reader while they were lost in one of my stories.  In Passage, there are several very diverse characters. Sometimes, a reader will attach themselves to a one of the secondary characters.  I love that.  Of course, I want them to relate and love all my characters, especially the Hero and heroine. But it is also fantastic when a reader will surprise me with insight into a secondary characters. I. Just. Love. It.

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What are you working on next?

C. MARIE:  I am working on the final edit for Prophecy, Soul of the Witch – Book 2.  I hope to have it available this summer. 

Courtney Veau's search through time to find her soul-mate, Merril, has unleased a chilling evil.

Also, characters from Soul of the Witch, Book 2: Prophecy, also appear in three short stories that are are included in recent anthologies.

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 C Marie will gift an ebook of Passage via Smashwords to one commenter or one of the anthologies if preferred.