Giveaway + Excerpt + Guest Post by Dana Michelle Burnett

Hey guys!

Today, I would like to introduce you to a great book by Dana Michelle Burnett, Spiritus. Spiritus is a YA Paranormal Romance and the first in a series by the same name. There will be a giveaway at the end, so look out for it!

Dana Michelle Burnett

Dana Michelle Burnett spent most of her life writing short stories and sharing them with family and friends. Over the years, her work was published in numerous commercial and literary magazines including Just Labs, Mindprints: A Literary Journal, Foliate Oak, and many more. Her short story John Lennon and the Chicken Holocaust was included in The Best of Foliate Oak in 2006. Taken from her website.

Check out her website.
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And her wonderful YA Paranormal Romance, Spiritus!

A love that refuses to die…

“As I watched him vanish into a soft mist that faded away, I knew that he was no ordinary spirit…I knew that he was a dangerous entity that could be in some corner of another realm planning his revenge, but I also knew that I was hopelessly in love with him.”

When Becca moves into her ancestral home in Corydon, Indiana, her life takes a puzzling and thrilling turn when she meets the ghost haunting the halls. As the seductive spirit lures her closer and closer, she learns about her own past and starts to understand that some mistakes are meant to last.

Becca McAllister has always been different from other girls her age. Never part of the "in crowd", Becca never really fit in anywhere. When her mother dies and her father moves them to the small town of Corydon, Indiana, Becca didn't expect things to change.

But things do change when Becca accidentally makes contact with a one hundred and sixty year old ghost, Alastor Sinclair, that haunts the halls of her new home.

To Becca, Alastor is a seductive spirit that seems to see straight into her soul. To Alastor, Becca is what he was waited a century for--A second chance.

But the closer they get, the more Becca realizes that this isn't the first time she and Alastor have known each other. Worse still, is she the one responsible for his death so long ago? And if so, did he come back for love or revenge?

Here's an awesome guest post done by Dana.

Untouchable

First off, it’s so nice to be here at the Always A Booklover Blog and to have the opportunity to do a guest post! I’ve been super busy promoting my novel Spiritus and something that readers often ask me is what it was like to write a love story between characters that could not touch. My answer? It’s not as easy as it seems.

As a writer, one of the first things I learned was that you should always show instead of tell. That means, instead of writing “She was afraid”, I would write something along the lines of “Her knees began to shake as she walked up to the door”. It’s an ideal that is at the very heart of good writing.

Now think of the ways that we should love and emotion toward one another. We hold hands, we embrace, we kiss, and we make love. Now take all of that off the table. How would you show emotion between characters?

For Spiritus I had to focus more on their conversations and sensations. Their inability to touch became the main frustration of their romance, but it also opened up the opportunity for their relationship to develop more slowly. Instead of showing their growing love with a kiss, it was a monumental moment when Alastor was able to make himself strong enough to barely touch Becca’s cheek.

I tried to use their inability to touch as a way to show how impossible their romance was and have those brief moments when contact could be managed the momentary fix that kept them going. These stolen moments were used to try and add a note of desperation to their love.
The romance between Becca and Alastor crossed the line between life and death, but I also wanted it to cross the line between physical and sensual.

As a writer, this novel was a challenge because of the “no touching” problem, but I do feel that it forced me to be more creative as a writer. It also made me stop and wonder if maybe it’s not the untouchable things in life that are worth the most work and devotion.

And now, a short peek at Spiritus! Sigh, it just is so sweet to me! :D

It was a sweet moment, dancing together under the paper streamers and balloons. I could feel the warmth of his skin through his shirt and jacket as we danced, reminding me that this was real. This was now.

“What are you thinking?” Jonah asked, leaning his head down so our foreheads touched. I could smell the scent of mints on his breath and the woodsy scent of his aftershave on his jaw.

I inhaled the reality of him, “Nothing. I’m just savoring the moment.”

I expected him to laugh, but he didn’t. He pulled me closer, seeming to ignore how I stepped all over his feet. He brought his cheek next to mine, caressing my skin with the youthful shadow of a beard.

“I like the sound of that.” He whispered.

He tilted his head then, kissing me softly with boyish clumsiness. His arm tightened around me as his lips lingered for a moment before he pulled away.

I fought the guilt that was trying to steal over me, but I shook it off. I felt myself turning a deep red, humiliated by my lack of experience. I was sure that was the worst kiss and that Jonah had ever had and he was going to realize he was wasting his time with me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ashley watching us with narrowed eyes. She would have known how to kiss him the right way.

If Jonah was disappointed, he hid it well, holding me in his arms until the song ended and then leading me off to the side of the room. I followed him without question, painfully aware all of a sudden of how large my feet were and that my palm was sweating inside of his.

“Thirsty?” Jonah asked with that charming smile that always made my heart stop and start in a crazy way.

“Sure.” I answered with a nervous giggle and then cursed myself for being a complete goof.
As if he could tell what I was thinking his smile widened, “Punch okay?”

His self-confidence made me feel even more awkward. “That’s fine.”

I watched Jonah walk away, calling and waving to his friends as he went over to the refreshment table. I fanned my face with my hands, trying to make the redness disappear.

Ally, with Billie in tow, bounced up beside me. “I can’t believe he kissed you! Was it great? Is he like the best kisser ever?”

“I don’t have much to compare him to.” I replied, hoping to downplay the whole thing before the whole school overheard. I couldn’t dare tell them that a century ago, I was kissed in a way that made my knees go weak and were a far cry from being boyish and clumsy. “But it was nice.”

Billie nudged my shoulder, “What was nice was the look on Ashley’s face. She was dying.”

I stole a glance over at Ashley. She stood in a circle of her minions. Despite her obvious and complete beauty, she was a picture of misery as she shot daggers in my direction. It seemed even her upper lip twitched like a dog snarling. I had to look away from her fury.

“She looks like she’s about ready to explode.” I whispered.

I wasn’t admitting, even to myself, that I enjoyed seeing her like that. It wasn’t every day someone like me got the upper hand on someone like Ashley. There was probably a law about it somewhere in the natural order of things that went against this even happening. It was the rarity of such an occurrence that made it all the more significant.

Just then Jonah appeared with two paper cups of bright red punch. He smiled with ease, “Hello ladies.”

“Hi Jonah.” Ally and Billie replied in unison. They each gave a quick wave and walked away full of giggles.

I pretended not to notice and took the cup Jonah offered. I couldn’t look up at him and I didn’t know what it was I was really supposed to do. Was I standing too close to him? Too far away? Should I take his hand, or should I just let my hand hang at my side so he could hold it if he wanted to?

I took a sip of punch, more out of the need to do something than actual thirst, and felt the burn of alcohol in my throat. I struggled to swallow, coughing until my eyes watered.
Jonah stroked my back gently, “I’m sorry. I should have warned you that a couple of guys from the football team always puts a little something extra in the punch.”

“It’s okay.” I gasped, humiliated beyond belief. “I think I’ll just step out in the hall and get some water.”

I walked off before he could follow me, dying of embarrassment and certain that I had proved what a little kid I was. He was just so perfect, and I was so—Not perfect.

I drank long gulps from the water fountain. It extinguished the burning in my throat, but it did nothing to silence the voice in my head that was telling me I was doing everything wrong. What was wrong with me? Was I really this socially incompetent?

How hard could it be? This is what I was supposed to want, right? Jonah was good looking, popular, and charming in his small town hero sort of way. What more could I ask for?
Alastor’s voice reverberated inside my head, “He’s not me…”

I jumped at the sound of his secret voice. I looked around even though I knew that he wouldn’t be standing there, his tantrum earlier would have left him too weak.

“Go away,” I whispered aloud. “Don’t ruin this for me. Let me have this night.”

I waited, straining to hear if Alastor would answer, but there was nothing. I turned to go back to the dance, knowing I should want to return to Jonah, but part of me wished Alastor would answer.

Ashley stepped from around the corner, blocking my way. She crossed her arms and glared down at me.

“Talking to yourself Becca?” She asked sarcastically, emphasizing my name.

“What do you want Ashley?”

She shook her head and rolled her eyes, “I just wanted to give you some advice.”

“What?”

“Don’t get too comfortable with Jonah.” Ashley smirked, almost purring as she stepped closer.

“He’ll get tired of you. You’re not his type. He’ll come back to his own kind soon enough.

I hated it that she was giving a voice to my own insecurities, “Whatever Ashley.”

She reached out and grabbed my arm as I tried to get past her, “Just remember, your day is coming.”

I pulled away just as one of the chaperones stepped into the hall. I took my escape while I could, knowing she couldn’t say or do anything else at the moment, and headed back toward the gym.

I had no idea how long I had been standing in the hallway drinking water, talking to invisible spirits, and arguing with disgruntled cheerleaders, but when I got back inside the gym the music seemed louder and the flashing lights brighter.

At first I didn’t see Jonah. The crowd kept shifting back and forth, blocking my view. I finally spotted him off to the side, away from the bulk of the people. Ashley found him before I did and had him backed against the bleachers. I was just about to run away and find a nice dark place to cry when Jonah stepped away from her with a look of disgust.

“Why don’t you back off Ashley?” He slurred as he staggered over to me. He swayed a little from side to side as he smiled down at me. “I was just about ready to send a search party out for you.”

“Sorry.” I said as I reached up to stop him from falling right into me. “Are you okay?”
He staggered a little to the right, “Yeah that Ashley just gets under my skin. She doesn’t know when to shut up and go away.”

I took his paper cup from him and tossed it into the trash. I was a bit taken back to see that it was a large metal drum lined with a large black trash bag. Things in Corydon never failed to surprise me.

“That’s not what I was talking about,” I replied, wiping my hands on the front of my dress before I could stop myself. “How many of those have you drank?”

Jonah blushed, looking vulnerable for the first time tonight. “I am so sorry.”

I didn’t know what to say. I helped steady him on his feet. “Are you going to be alright?”

Jonah shook his head, this time leaning dangerously to the left. He tried to smile with his famous charm, “I’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Not really.” He said with a stupid grin. He pulled himself up straighter, “Why don’t I go splash some water on my face. Will you wait for me?”

“Sure.”

I watched him lurch off, trying to compose himself as he walked past the group of teachers by the door. Even intoxicated, he was amazing to watch. Jonah drew the admiring glances of every female he passed. He was just so stereotypically high school perfect.

I had to laugh; he and I were like a bad movie. The predictable one where the new girl, unpopular, falls for the school jock and then the jock takes her to the dance. So that was it, tonight was my happy ending. I didn’t want to think any further than that.

Happy endings never lasted. I could vaguely remember a grand celebration where I danced with Alastor so long ago. That was a very happy moment, but not long after that we were both dead.
“May I have this dance?”

I turned to see a much recovered Jonah holding his hand out to me. Without a word, I placed my hand in his and let him lead me to the dance floor. His strong arms pulled me close, holding me against his body.

“My beautiful Becca,” He said in a moist whisper against my forehead.

I waited for him to say something else, but he didn’t. When I stole a glance up at him he had his eyes closed while his lips still rested against my hair. I felt that there was something that I should say or do, but I didn’t know what it could be. I shifted slightly away from him.

“Don’t.” Jonah begged.

Without opening his eyes, he lowered his lips to mine. He brushed his mouth over mine with such gentleness that I wouldn’t have been sure that he even kissed me if it wasn’t for the tingling running through my body.

Neither of us moved, his lips hovered over mine. He pulled me even closer, this time his lips lingered, making my knees go weak. There was a sensual passion this time. There was no trace of boyish clumbsiness.

I knew then and pulled away, terrified and not sure how he did it.

“Alastor!” I gasped.

I looked up into Jonah’s face, searching his eyes for an answer, but behind his face, deep in the soul of those eyes was Alastor.

“How?” Was all I could ask.

Pulling me close again, he looked down at me through another man’s eyes. Images of old movies with tearful endings came to mind as he pulled me to him.

“Please don’t scream.” He said against my hair.

“How did you do it?” I demanded, nearing hysteria.

“Does it matter?” He asked as we waltzed about the floor, so much more graceful than before. “You asked for a kiss and I gave it to you.”

I tried to fend off panic. I knew this was impossible. I was shaking so badly that my teeth began to chatter. “Alastor…I can’t…”

“Please,” Alastor begged. “Please, you asked me to give you this one night. I’m asking you to give me this one moment.”

My heart fell with his request and the tears came to my eyes. I trembled in his arms. How could I refuse him?

“What do you want me to do?” I asked.

“Close your eyes.” He whispered over my eyelids.

I did as he asked. “Now what?”

“Just be.” He said and lowered his face so our cheeks touched. “Just be.”

With my eyes closed, I forgot all about Jonah. I was dancing safe and secure in Alastor’s arms with my body remembering his touch even my mind sometimes couldn’t. As long as I didn’t open my eyes, it was Alastor that was holding me close. This is where I belonged.

“Kiss me again.” I requested in a whisper, longing for the sensation of him touching me, of crossing that breach between life and death.

He took my face into his hands. I kept my eyes shut tight as I reached up and covered his hands with mine. The earth shifted beneath me as I remembered standing just like this the day that we were married over a century ago.

Alastor’s lips met mine, soft at first and then harder. He was real. He was alive.

I wanted to feel his skin against mine. I wanted his lips on my throat. I wanted him. It was a feeling that only the most primal part of me seemed to understand.

I kissed him again and again. I kept my eyes shut tight and was afraid to let go. I couldn’t breathe, part of me was still terrified and another part wanted to sob uncontrollably.

“I’m sorry.” I whimpered, trying to hold on tighter. “I’m so sorry for everything.”

He kissed me again and I knew that there would never be another. There was only Alastor. It was only Alastor that I loved. It was only Alastor to whom I belonged. It was Alastor to whom I was lost.

Love the excerpt as much as I did? Why not buy it? 3 places to get it from, so it doesn't matter where you are!

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
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And now, enter the giveaway! 5 copies of Spiritus that you can win! :D Why are you waiting? Sign up in the Rafflecopter right below! :D This is how the giveaway will go! 4 copies of Spiritus will be given randomly, selected by the Rafflecopter. 1 copy will be given to the person with the funniest/wittiest/best/most touching, etc. comment. So what are you waiting for? Sign up in the Rafflecopter below now!


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And before I end this, I want to say thanks to Dana for visiting the blog and for writing an awesome guest post! It's been a great pleasure working with her to get this up and I really have to thank her for answering so many of my questions so patiently! Thanks Dana, I really hope to have you on the blog again in the future!