New Release -- Cursed (Legends of Winatuke Book 2) by Sarah J. McNeal

When Hawk McKnight’s younger brother falls to his death in the mystical Lake of Sorrows, Hawk blames himself. The discovery that Peregrine is actually alive is a double-edged sword—for Perry remembers nothing of his former life, and has taken up a new beginning with a band of Gypsies. The only woman who can heal Peregrine is someone Hawk loves deeply…someone who has rejected him. But if there’s a chance that Doctor Emma Dawson can help his brother, Hawk will swallow his pride and ask for her help.

Emma Dawson carries her own emotional baggage. The only survivor of a horrendous family tragedy, she is a burned-out doctor with no time for a personal life, holding on to the dreams of what she once believed her medical practice should be. She knows the secrets of Hawk’s family, and the beings who live in a dimension called Winatuke, a place of magic and evil creatures. Though she and Hawk were once deeply in love, after the hand life has dealt her, she believes sending him away is the only way to protect him.

But when Hawk turns to Emma to help him save Perry, what choice does she have? She must face her fears and go with him to Winatuke if there is the slightest possibility of saving Hawk’s brother. Can they break the curse that holds Peregrine in its grip? Or will the secrets hidden within the depths of the Lake of Sorrows drag them all into an evil enchantment?

EXCERPT

     A messenger drew Hawk from his morose thoughts.  

     "My liege, I do not wish to disturb you, but Domingomae has delivered a message for you from Prince Raphael." Mericet entered the tent with a sealed parchment in his hand.

     Hawk took the message and noticed that the boy's hair was wet and his clothes damp. "Water's scarce out here, Mericet. Mind you don't waste it by bathing in the middle of the day."

     "Yes, my liege." Mericet nodded his head obediently and waited respectfully by the opening of the tent for further instructions.

     Pulling the dagger from his wide leather belt, Hawk cut the seal from the parchment and began to read. The first words grabbed his attention immediately. "My God," he gasped aloud, "Peregrine is alive." He glanced at Mericet. "My brother is alive."

     Mericet nodded. "That is good, my liege. I am glad for you."

     Hawk leaped from his chair and paced as he continued to read aloud. Your brother is living among the Gypsies, playing his violin, and performing his water show twice a day. But he is altered, Hawk. You must come to Vel’ka Mulano with all due haste.

     He stopped pacing. "Altered? What could he mean?" He shrugged his shoulders. "It's enough that he's alive. When that fiend, Inx, threw him into the Lake of Sorrows, we were all certain Peregrine was dead. I thought I would never see him again."

     Emotion choked at the back of his throat. He stared at the parchment as if he held the Declaration of Independence in his hands. A weight that had pressed upon his heart for months lifted, and he felt as if he could breathe again. The torment of guilt he bore for his inability to save Peregrine withdrew from his spirit.