Keeping House by Jeanne G’Fellers

On July 13, 2019 by Jaye

Post w/ Exclusive Excerpt for J.V. Speyer from Keeping House: An Appalachian Paranormal Fantasy

So what happens when you and your spouse are reduced to only magical written exchanges, and temptation stares you in the face every time you look at your boss? Ask Cent Rhodes because she’s caught among the Hunter fey, drawn to their she-king, Dane, and mad as can be at her spouse, Stowne, for refusing to apologize for an indiscretion. It’s late, and Cent’s only just returned to her room where her best friend, Betty, sits reading. Cent’s somewhat drunk and mussed from kissing on others, but she’s also frustrated and ready for a fight, even if it’s only through writing.

This excerpt come from Chapter Nineteen: The Dark Lady and her Well-Lit Love

After the Hunters’ raucous full moon celebration, Cent returned to her room to find Betty reading and Stowne’s book still on the bed, mocking her.

“Some party,” said Betty. “I heard the music all the way in here.”

“It was raining on Ostara, so we made up for it tonight.” Cent plopped onto the bed beside the book. “I couldn’t concentrate for the ritual, but the rest was fun.”

“Most everyone, alive or dead, was outside, so it was quiet in here for once.”

“I’m glad.” Cent grabbed Stowne’s book, turning it over in her hands as the anger she’d been nursing all evening burst into rage. You want to blame. Here’s something to blame me for. She chose a burnt orange pencil, uncaring if Stowne would see or if her words broke the magic that protected their correspondence.

I danced with Dane under the full moon then with Bea. I even danced with Conall and took a turn around the fire with handsy Tucker just to feel something besides the hurt you’re giving me.

That’s not denial or deflection. This is me a little drunk, really pissed, and admitting to my imperfections.

She underlined the last sentence twice then stared at Stowne’s magical journal, spitting-mad as she screamed and threw it, finding brief, sad satisfaction when its spine broke against the wall. Stowne was barely talking when she called, their tone flat, their words terse when they did speak. I need you to take some responsibility here. I need to discuss this. She needed to process, to remember, to forgive, to… I can’t do this alone.

Betty closed her copy of Casey Plett’s A Safe Girl to Love and looked up. “Feel better?”

“No.” Cent rolled to face the wall.

“Take off your boots and go wash your face before you pout yourself to sleep. You’ve still got Tucker’s lipstick on your face.”

“I do?” Cent sat up. “We only kissed once before I thought better of it and walked away.”

“Then you made out with Dane in the hall before God and everybody.” Betty lowered her head to look at Cent over her reading glasses. “The door was open.”

Cent kicked off her boots, wiped her jaw on her sleeve, and dropped back onto the bed to face the wall again, her head aching. “Maybe I’m drunker than I thought.”

“Excuses, excuses. You’ve only got yourself and the negative energy here to blame for that one.”

“And my memories.” If Dane had offered to take me to bed tonight, I’d have gone. But they’d stopped long before that, said “Sissy” at the same time, and parted ways, Dane heading toward Ceardach’s infirmary to check on her wife.

“Best watch yourself,” Betty said behind her. “Or you’re going to wreck it all.”

END

Book Blurb:

Centenary Rhodes is caught in a deal she didn’t make. Thanks to her eternal lover, Stowne’s, quick thinking, she’ll live forever, but there’s a hitch. Cent’s now fey, and three months out of the year she’ll live on the other side of Embreeville Mountain among the Hunter Fey, serving their king, Dane Gow.

As Cent begins wading through the anachronisms that come with being a Hunter, she learns that nothing is what it initially seems. Cent shares several past lives with Dane, who wants her back, and Stowne’s lied to Cent so many times that she’s having doubts about their marriage. To make matters worse, the past Hunter Kings are influencing Dane’s behavior, and the youngest Hunter, Brinn, might well be the most dangerous of them all.

It’s going to be a cold, dark spring, and Cent needs to unite both sides of Embreeville mountain before her eternal life, her relationship with Dane, and her marriage to Stowne come permanently undone.

Another rich Contemporary Appalachian tale about fantastic people and the magic they possess, including LGBTQIA+ characters Human and otherwise.

Series Blurb:

Come dance with the Appalachian fey and drink a little moonshine under the full moon while you hear Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Death share tales about families of our blood, families of our making, and magic both long ago and flowing through us now.

Buy Links:

Publisher: https://squareup.com/store/mountain-gap-books/item/keeping-house

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QH76Z2H/

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07QH76Z2H/

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/936602

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45431078-keeping-house

Giveaway:

Jeanne is giving away a $20 Amazon gift certificate with this tour. Enter via Rafflecopter for a chance to win:

Direct link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d4772/?

Author Bio:

Born and raised in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Science Fiction and Fantasy author Jeanne G’Fellers’ early memories include watching the original Star Trek series with their father and reading the books their librarian mother brought home. Jeanne’s writing influences include Anne McCaffrey, Ursula K. LeGuin, Octavia Butler, Isaac Asimov, and Frank Herbert.

Jeanne lives in Northeast Tennessee with their spouse and five crazy felines. Their home is tucked against a small woodland where they regularly see deer, turkeys, raccoons, and experience the magic of the natural world.

Author Website: https://jeannegfellersauthor.com/

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/Jeannegfellersauthor

Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/jlgfellers

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjeannegfellers/

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Jeanne+G%27Fellers

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jeanne-GFellers/e/B01N0YWCT7/