Chapter Five Excerpt One

Hi Fellow Bloggers,
I jumped a bit ahead with the sequences of the books to give you this scene. Since I am posting about Hunter this week I thought I should introduce him in the books. This is where we first meet him. He is very reserved and manly (not to be offensive) but that’s just how men where during this time period. There wasn’t much room for debate when they had a particular mindset already in place. I really enjoyed the discovery I found in this first scene with him. I realized that just because you are royalty you are just as bound to the people as they are to you. I think the fact that Hunter spends his morning pouring over the betrothed conditions demonstrates where his feeling are towards Harmony. This scene is pretty short. It just gives you a glimpse into his life. I hope it’s enough for you to see him like I do.

Chapter Four
Hunter Owens sat at the massive wood table in his father’s study, going over the betrothed conditions between his family and the McLain’s. As heir to the throne it was his duty to marry and continue the line. His father’s childhood friend had a daughter around the time he was born and they have been betrothed ever since. Hunter frowns at the piece of paper that determined his destiny before he even had a say in it.
“Your highness, your presence is requested by the king in his chambers,” his valet announces.
Hunter walks out of his father’s study, and heads down the hallway toward the Great Stairs. His parents’ wing is on the second level of the castle. He races up the stairs, before he turns the corner to their room he straightens his attire.
“I hope this is going to be quick. I have plenty of matters to attend to this day.”
He reaches their door and knocks three times a childhood notion he hasn’t broken out of yet. His mother opens the door. She has her long curly brown hair down, and is wearing a peach colored dress. She grabs his hand and leads him into the room. The room is decorated in dark reds, gold’s and white. The ceiling holds a large golden double layered chandelier. The borders of the room are painted gold around the white flowered walls. The red and gold curtains that match the pillows in the seats cover the large window in the room. Preventing the sunlight from glaring in. On the table in their sitting area is the remains of their breakfast.
“Come in my son. Your Father has news regarding Lord McLain and your betrothed.”
He sits down in the large gold framed chair near the white couch. Hunter turns his head at the slight change in the air. King Xavier has a way of making his presence known even before he announces it. Hunter stands up to greet him, and walks over to embrace him. Hunter looks very much like his father, with the same strong jaw and stubborn chin. Both are very tall and imposing men, and they hover over most of their peers. The king’s black hair is gray in some areas. His hazel eyes light up when he sees his wife remains in the room.
“Father, you look well.”
The king waves the greeting away, and sits down in his chair. “I have news my son! My old friend, Lord McLain will be gone for several weeks in seven days. He wishes to marry Harmony off by then.”
“What say you?” Hunter ask his tan cheeks darkening and his eyes turning a deeper blue. “Have you agreed to this change?”
King Xavier looks at him perplexed. “Yes! What difference does it make Hunter? Now or in several weeks. You will still marry her! ” He said leaving no room for discussion. “As prince it is your duty to marry–”
“And continue the line, I know this Father. It should be my choice in regards to whom I wish to marry. You did not take my wishes into consideration on this matter. I have told you I have no feelings for Harmony. Why can I not decide whom to marry on my own?” He asks as he stands.
The king stands as well, “We have talked about this Hunter. We cannot break the betroth, because of the indenture.”
“Why is that so? When I never agreed to it?” Hunter responds.
“I am king, and you will obey me,” The king says.
“I bid you good morrow,” Hunter says and storms out of their room.

Anna? Who is She?

Hi Fellow Bloggers,

This week I am focused on Anna. If you want to get a good idea of who she is before you read this post I would check out my conversation with her in the character forum: Deep Thoughts with Anna  I think it will reveal a lot about her personality. She is very fun to be around.

While writing Forbidden I found myself (at certain scenes) wondering what Anna would say in that moment. She has a way of lightening things up. She’s good at having your attention, but making sure you are only seeing her on the surface. She’s the type of person who feels private things should be kept private. Which for her means her feelings. They are keep in a vault that not many have access to. Even me as the person telling her story had to spend time with her before she would reveal herself. As the books progresses she’ll opens up a bit then withdraw. A lot takes place that I don’t want to give away, but it causes her to question a lot about family and values. The very things she was raised being taught were being tested. She was pushing everyone around her to not give up, but inside herself she was kind of losing the same battle. I loved this energy and realness that she held within her. Despite this, the persona she put to was always so superficial. The same thing is seen with her strength.

In this book you can see her starting to crumble. Not only does she have to stay home and watch her mother get worse each passing day, but she has to feel that loss of connection with her twin. I learn to love Anna as much as I love Ivy. Not because they are twins, but because she feels relatable. She has such an honest perspective on life. One that invites you in, but keeps you at arms lengths too.

While she doesn’t get as much play in the first book she is still represented. However my favorite scene from her isn’t in any of the books from the trilogy, but in a short novella that I wrote about her. I will come back to that in a moment. The best scene that showcases who Anna in the Forbidden takes place when she finds out about the curse. You can find this scene in the excerpts category: Chapter One of Forbidden Second Excerpt. Out of everyone in the room I felt her emotions the strongest while writing that scene. They are also the thickest in the room as far as tension goes. She feels confused, then betrayed at being left out, then jealous… all in a matter of moments. It shows her love and dedication to her family. Even though the girls have two very different relationships with their mother they both love her very much. Which is why I think Anna was so jealous that Ivy got to go. She wanted to help her mother too.

When I first started writing the story I thought Anna was going to be this really mean, dense twin sister that tried to jeopardize her sister’s return with the herb. I had written the end already before I even really started getting into the story… she was going to steal the herb from Ivy and push her back into the dimension for her to remain there forever. As the book went along I realized that Anna isn’t a bad person she’s just guarded. She doesn’t have it in her to be mean. She can say rude things sometimes out of hurt, but she wasn’t capable of being my villain. I couldn’t see all that at first. I had to get pass her rough exterior.

So back to the Novella. I wish I could post a scene from it, but it’s on my flash drive. Which is still broken. So if you are interested like or comment on this post and as soon as I get it fixed I will do a part two. I hope this post helped you understand, appreciate, and or like Anna a little bit more.

Deep thoughts with Harmony

Elissa: Hi Harmony, I have been talking to Ivy and her family. As well as Hunter and his. I wanted to get your side of the story. I know that you were betrothed to Hunter. What was that like?

Harmony: It was distant. We really didn’t know each other. Because of our father’s we were forced into it. The time that we did spend together was always very awkward.

Elissa: So why were you so upset when Ivy came along?

Harmony: Well I hated there easy comradery. The very thing I was being forced to feel with him came so easily between them. I was jealous.

Elissa: So do you feel that way with someone now?

Harmony: I do.

Elissa: Could that have been why it was so hard for you to love Hunter?

Harmony: I believe so. When I was with Hunter all I could think about was the other guy. I knew that I wasn’t being fair to myself or either one of them.

Elissa: So when did you realized that you would never love Hunter?

Harmony: I was sixteen years old. I had spent the day with Luke. He had this way of making me forget how bad things were at home. We were running through the forest and I tripped and fell. He raced back to my side. I was in so much pain, but he made me forget about it when he picked me up and carried me to my bedroom. He stayed by my side until the doctor came. Then he sat with me every day for several hours until it healed.

Elissa: Why do you think your father wanted you to be with Hunter so much?

Harmony: I really don’t know. I wish I could tell you that his behavior those few months where different from usual… but I can’t. I really didn’t know my father. The person I loved disappeared when my mother died.

Elissa: Do you agree with what he did to Ivy?

Harmony: Not at all. Like I said I was jealous of Ivy. I did things that I am absolutely ashamed of towards her. The worst was manipulation her to come to my room so my father could take her.

Elissa: Why didn’t you just tell your father you didn’t want to marry Hunter?

Harmony: I was afraid for a long time that if he knew about Luke he would do something awful to him. Then when I got enough courage to tell him he didn’t listen.

Elissa: Do you think he regrets what he did?

Harmony: I hope he is.

Elissa: So are you married now?

Harmony: Yes.

Elissa: Do you have children?

Harmony: Not yet, but I hope to someday.

Elissa: Well I wish you the best in life Harmony.

Harmony: Thank you.

 

 

Deep Thoughts with Sarah

Hi fellow bloggers,

I have working hard to come up with some ideas for the posting on the blog (thanks to my marketing you’re writing course… well I should say my Prof). Anyhow I have a ton of them floating around in my head and plan to execute those soon. I will try my best to post on her every week. I am even going to put this in my planer so that I will be held accountable by the planner gods. In due time I hope to have a pleasantly stocked blog that represents my books. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Sarah.

Elissa: Hi Sarah, how are things going?

Sarah: Hello, things are pleasant. I can’t complain. Life is too precious for that.

Elissa: I certainly agree with you on that end. Did you feel that way while you were sick?

Sarah: I did. I’ve felt that way since Ivy and Anna’s birth. I know that even without a curse life is unpredictable and sometimes it really… sucks.

Elissa: So before their births you didn’t feel that way.

Sarah: I had to work through a lot of anger.

Elissa: Because of the way Lily told you about the curse?

Sarah: Yeah, I just couldn’t understand why she would choose to have kids knowing about the curse. I just knew I was going to make better decisions. I looked down on my mother for a few years. Instead of admiring the strength she must have had to love and be loved.

Elissa: Where you worried about Ivy?

Sarah: That is a loaded question. I was worried that she would be frazzled without Anna. Outside of her lessons preparing her for her travel, and Anna’s cheerleading they were inseparable most of their lives. I didn’t think she would feel like she could do it without her sister.

Elissa: But she did, and she didn’t do a bad job either.

Sarah: She was much braver than I was on my journey. I think she gets that from my mother, and her father.

Elissa: I think you are downing yourself. It takes a lot of bravery to love. How has the curse strengthen you and Jacob’s relationship?

Sarah: It brought us closer. Although he has gotten even more protective of me. You’ll have to ask him how it affected him. I was unconscious most of the time.

Elissa: When you woke up what was the first thought that went through your mind?

Sarah: That my daughter was home safe. Then I wondered why Anna and Jacob looked so dishelved. After that I couldn’t think of anything but how hungry I was.

Elissa: How are things for you now?

Sarah: Different. I spent a good portion of my young adult life trying to solve the curse so that the girls wouldn’t have to suffer. No matter how fulfilling my life is/was I couldn’t get past that. Now I can totally devote myself to family and work. We have a bigger secret now, but at least we can allow more leeway now.

Elissa: All families have secrets. To most people yours would be totally awesome, and hard to keep.

Sarah: Well I have a fashion show to get to with Anna. So I have to go.

Elissa: Of course, thanks for chatting with me. Tell everyone I say hello.

College is Rewarding?

Hi everyone,

Monday started my First week of Classes. I am taking them all online so the workload is a lot heavier. I would love to post something on here every other day but realistically speaking that might not happen. I am going to try to stick to posting something once a week at the least. When I don’t post for a while I feel bad and post like three blog post. So I hope that makes up for it. This semester I am taking Spanish 1 (Which is require for my major  although I am going to learn for myself) Advanced Creative Writing Fiction, Advanced Creative Writing Poetry (which is my personal enjoyment) and intro to women studies. Which is my minor, No I am not a crazy woman who wants to kill men. It was the best option they offered that seemed interesting to me. I am a women so I would like to know more about women in literature and so on. I will be finished with college next summer so I will be able to blog as much as I won’t. Unless I’m touring and doing book signings. College is rewarding if you are staying focused and doing all you can to succeed. It is also very challenging. Anything worth fighting for is rewarding.

I hope that with everything that I do it pleases God. That it brings hope to someone. That it brings about change in some small significant way. We are just one turn from doing something severely right or wrong. I hope that you decide today and for the rest of your life to do good. I am not in anyway trying to convert anyone or push my views upon you. This is how I feel about life. This blog is my VIEWS, my OPINIONS, and my BELIEFS.  Even if you don’t feel the same way I hope that doesn’t prevent you from enjoying what I am trying to get across. The message that I am sending out through my books and post. which is of just helping and encouraging your fellow human. The title to this post is a little misleading since I got off topic. But I just wanted to let you know why the posting might be scarce. School takes up a lot of my time, and I don’t want my lovely blog followers to feel neglect. Because I truly love and appreciate everyone that follows and reads my post. Have a blessed day world. May love shine down on you and encourage you to make that good turn.

Additional Blog

Hi everyone,

I have been wanting to mention that I have another blog on here. For some time but It kept slipping my mind. It was created over a year ago and its mostly filled with poetry and book reviews and venting. Its the typical blog type thing. I really enjoy blogging on there as well. It seems that my readers were used to my poetry and books reviews that when I posted my first excerpt of my book they weren’t as interested. So I decided to get another blog and promote my books on there. I really enjoy writing poetry it is my writing first love and it moves me like no other form of writing does. It always me to say things that I normally wouldn’t say. I am able to be another person with my poetic touch on things. When I look at life through my poetry lens it affects me differently than when I look at life normally. Even in my books my poetry is present through songs and things of that nature. My other blog is lisharvey.wordpress.com I hope you go take a lot if your interested. Some of them are me at my lowest point and it is evident in my words. My emotions are very widely raged and depending on how I am feeling a particular day affects what I write.

Also I think I might start doing writing prompts??? I come across wonderful writing prompts in school, from books. I thought it might be a fun thing to do. We could each do a post on the writing prompt and share it with each other. It could be like a virtual writing workshop. Or just something fun to get the writing juices flowing. Let me know how you feel about that in the comments. I am totally willing if others are. i hope you have had a wonderful last few days.

Synopsis Of Book

Hey fellow bloggers and friends,

I have done the deed and got the first book to my trilogy copyrighted. I am excited to share with you excerpts of it while it gets edited and I work on the publishing process. When you read them please comment and let me know what you think. This is a synopsis of the book and I hope it intrigues you enough to want to read it. I will have an excerpt for you in a few days, I hope you like what I have been diligently working on for some time now.

“The Forbidden Love Trilogy”

By Elissa Harvey

This is an excerpt of a novel which targets young adults and adult readers interested in speculative fiction, more specifically medieval romantic fantasy.

Ivy’s Destiny: To save her mother’s life. First, she has to overcome her fears…

A few weeks before her eighteenth birthday, Ivy’s mother Sarah becomes bedridden. Since their father and their grandmother refuse to bring her to a hospital, Ivy and her twin sister Anna are forced to watch their mother’s health worsen with each passing day. All is revealed the day before Ivy’s birthday when she learns of her destiny to heal her mother. She has seven days to go to an alternate universe, with the guide of a silver necklace made of a falling star and her ancestors family mantle, to find the herb that will cure her Mother’s illness.

In this excerpt, Harvey introduces her tale of 3 generations of firstborn daughters whose ancestry has been cursed for seven generations. Based primarily in modern Tennessee, her main characters have to overcome their incredulity and fears to restore their mother’s health. She creates a vivid contrast between a life of ease and comfort in the twenty first century and the feudal Scottish realm which Ivy begins to explore in her search for the plant that will save her mother.

IF you have any questions for me pertaining to the books you can email me @ Forbiddenbooksseries@hotmail.com