Blurb:
By 1895, the United
States is in the 80th year of the isolation imposed by King Thomas I and upheld
by his successors. But, some are chafing under the shortages and restrictions,
and when inventor Dr. Featherstone declares he has found a way to override all
borders, there are those who applaud the discovery and those who fear it.
When Dr. Featherstone
fails to return home for an important scientific gathering, his daughter
Caroline enlists the help of the Member of Parliament from Charlotte, Nathan
Llewellen. As the two search for the kidnappers, Caroline is plunged into a
world where travel to other realities is possible in the blink of an eye, and
people can assume the forms of fearsome as well as familiar animals…and where
love comes at the most unexpected times and places.
Nathan’s peculiar gift
might cost Caroline her life, but she has already lost her heart.
Author:
Originally from New
York State, Sandy Bruney lives in North Carolina with her husband. They have
three grandchildren who are growing up much too quickly. When not writing, she
enjoys reading books of every genre and avoids housework as much as possible.
Excerpt:
Chapter One
“I believe this
invention will eclipse them all.”
Father was a man who
collected prizes and accolades as his just due. So when he did not appear at
the annual dinner of the Charlotte Society of Inventors and Scientists,
Caroline Featherstone knew something was wrong. Father would never miss an
opportunity to listen to admiring speeches on his behalf, which meant more to
him than any gold medal.
“I’m going out,” she
told her housekeeper, Tabby.
“And just where, Miss,
if I may ask?” The woman, not much taller than a twelve-year-old, tilted her
head back as she waited for an answer.
Caroline’s glare was
impressive, but Tabby refused to be intimidated. “In case you disappear as well
I’ll need a place to start looking.”
“I’m going to see
Mister Jennings. I’m hoping he may have had some word.” Jamming a straw hat on
her head and tying the ribbons under a determined chin, Caroline went out the
door and headed for the trolley stop three blocks away.
Leaving the trolley at
Elizabeth Street, she found Mr. Jennings’ office without difficulty. At the
last minute, Caroline wondered if she should have ascertained if the solicitor
were in before coming all the way downtown. Her concern seemed justified when
she saw the office was locked, but she knocked just the same, and attempted to
peer in the window.
“Is something wrong,
Miss?”
Caroline swerved to
see a rather large policeman standing not two feet from her. Startled, she
backed up a step and put a hand to her breast. “I came to see Mister Jennings,
but he doesn’t appear to be in. I’ll have to come back another day.” She tried
to maneuver around the bulky man, but he didn’t move.
“What’s your business
with Mister Jennings then?” he asked. His tone, mildly curious up to now,
hardened and his genial smile disappeared.
Caroline debated
answering. It wasn’t his affair, after all, but then again, he was an officer
of the law. “He is my father’s solicitor. I had some questions to put to him.”
The officer’s stiff
posture relaxed, although his face remained grim. “I’m sorry to tell you this,
but Mister Jennings has met with a misfortune. You won’t be able to talk to
him.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. Well
then, as I said, I will just have to come back. Maybe next week, if he has
recovered by then.”
The man shook his
head. “No chance of that. He was shot in the heart and is dead.”
Caroline let out a
gasp. “Murdered?”
“Hard to shoot your
own self in the heart, although it has been done. We’re investigating, but yes,
it’s safe to say he was killed by an unknown assailant.” He nodded as if he had
much more he could share if he were so inclined. “You’d best run along home,
Miss.”
Caroline nodded and
this time the officer stepped aside to let her pass. Only a passerby’s warning
shout kept her from stepping in front of one of the steamcabs that were
gradually replacing horse-drawn carriages on downtown Charlotte’s busy streets.
Her attention had been diverted by an urchin, no older than eight or nine, who
was selling newspapers. “Murder most foul!” the boy yelled. “Read all about
it!”
Caroline exchanged a
coin for the newspaper and, flipping it open, found the article about poor Mr.
Jennings. With dread, she read his office had been ransacked and an untold
number of files had been taken. A witness described seeing two men, one a
larger than normal person, walking past the building scant minutes before shots
were heard. The witness also said the taller man wore a green or brown suit in
a checkered pattern. The other had no jacket, but wore a red kerchief. They
were being sought for questioning, but were not suspects. Caroline filled in
the missing words — as yet.
The mention of the
stolen files made her blood chill in her veins. What files? Were some of them
Father’s? If so, were these men responsible for his disappearance?
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