Deanna Fugett – Romantic Excerpt – Part 2 of 2

Shannon here: Deanna Fugett shares a romantic excerpt from her Young Adult title, Ending Fear, which releases in July. Until then, comment or answer any question dated Jan 17 – 20 to enter the drawing for a surprise book giveaway. Deadline: Jan 28th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Deanna:

Excerpt from Ending Fear by Deanna Fugett:
“We can’t be in a relationship yet. If we were both older, maybe in our twenties, this wouldn’t be a problem, but we’re not.”
Why is this such an issue for him? I don’t get it.
He slips his finger under my chin, as he’s done so many times before, and lifts my face. “Trust me Fear, I do care for you.” His eyes flood with unsaid words.
“Then stay with me Manly, please,” I beg. “I’m sure we could find you a job around here. You’re young and strong; they’d be happy to have you.” I lean closer and offer a smile.
“I … can’t. You know that. Granny and Daddy need my help back home. Faithful isn’t strong, and Daddy’s not getting any younger. I’m needed there.”
I cling to his arm. “But I need you, too.” Can’t he see that?
A scratchy grunt emanates from his throat, and he abruptly turns from me. “Don’t you think you’re acting a little selfish?”
I jerk, my face hot. How dare he! Is it selfish to love someone?
He shuffles away, practically tripping over rocks.
“Manly …”
He stops but fails to turn around. “Well, don’t you?”
I mull it over even though I want him to say I’m right. I guess they do need him at home. It’s not fair because I need him even more, but … whatever. He’s right. “Fine. I guess I am. But I thought you might understand.” I stalk off.
Footsteps follow me. I increase my pace. The plodding of feet intensifies, and he whirls me around. I open my mouth to blast him but a lurking figure snatches my focus. Courage stands in the distance, watching us. What’s he doing? This is supposed to be our private moment. Stinking eavesdropper.
I turn back to Manly. “I’m not going to stay here. This isn’t my home. You can’t make me.” His brows draw together. I soften my voice. “Please. I don’t want to stay here, Manly. You’re my home now.”
He plants his hands firmly on my shoulders and gives me a little shake. “Don’t you understand? We’re protecting you! You can’t go back. Your family will find a way to hurt you. To make you pay for some crime they’ve made up. I’m leaving you here because I want you to be safe. Please understand.”
He brings me close, and I collapse into his arms while tears surge down my cheeks. I do understand. But I don’t care. I’d rather be with him and face the risks than be left here. Without him. My fingers crush his shirt as though the world will end if I let go.
He places one final, sweet kiss on my forehead right as the clouds cover the sky. My skin throbs and a quiver of arrows slam through my chest.
            His husky voice weaves through my heart. “I will wait for you, Fear, and I’ll come back for you when it’s safe.”
About Deanna: Deanna Fugett focuses on writing as much humanly possible. She is a wife of fifteen years to her husband Chad, and blessed to be a mother to four wonderful and hyper children. They have a cat named Buttercup and a dog named Westley.
Deanna resides in Denver, Colorado where she volunteers at her church and has lots of family nearby. She thoroughly enjoys the thrill of writing edgy fiction and hopes it will impact people’s lives in a positive way. She was published at the young age of six in a local newspaper, and is excited she is now getting the amazing opportunity to be published again. It only took twenty-seven years.
She enjoys English Toffee Cappuccino with hazelnut creamer and her favorite shows she currently watches are Arrow and Once Upon a Time. She enjoys belting out tunes while doing dishes.
Keep your eyes open for her YA debut novel Ending Fear coming out in July, 2017.

Learn more and connect:

Deanna’s Facebook                  Deanna’s Twitter                   Deanna’s Blog               Deanna’s Website

About the book – Ending Fear:
Fourteen-year-old Fear learns she was a parachute baby, dumped over the edge of the Gliding Lands as an infant. Running from her abusive Downer family, Fear discovers a new family. One who knows how to love. But then her new little sister is kidnapped and sold to a harem. Fear must go against her namesake and journey to the dreaded Gliding Lands before the little girl’s innocence is ripped from her forever. Can she save Happy in time?
Question for Readers: What’s your favorite coffee creamer or tea flavor?

Come back Jan 24th for Erica Vetsch!