Excerpt from Echos of Love

**Excerpt from Echoes Of Love:**

With Zarek’s hand clasped in hers, she strode up the slimy staircase. Beneath the folds of her gown, her legs shook with exhaustion and shock, but she maintained a perfect grace so that the odious traitor wouldn’t notice. She’d let him see no chink in her armor.

Head high, she swept up the grand staircase to the main vestibule. The replicas of swords and shields from years gone by welcomed her, gave her strength. She squeezed Zarek’s hand as they trod the scarlet carpet from the vestibule to the arched doorway leading to the grand hall.

On either side of them, magnificent statues of the ancient Amatian deities guarded the entrance. Perion, the supreme god, held a bolt of lightning in his upraised fist. Velos, god of the underworld, sat astride a fire-breathing dragon. She paused for a brief moment at the statue of Svarila, goddess of war, who stood dressed in a man’s toga, one breast bared, shield held over her head to ward off the blow of an invisible enemy. Wind-swept hair formed a cloud around her fierce but exquisite face.

If you gods ever existed, please lend me your great gifts to fight for the good of the people. Grant me the power of Perion, the ferocity of Velos, and the strength of Svarila.

Chesna squeezed her eyes shut as she passed the last statue in the line. Overlooking the hand-carved arch that separated the vestibule from the grand hall, Zora, goddess of beauty silently mocked her. Zora. The bride of the heavens. How perfectly ironic.

The arch they walked under depicted a placid sea at dawn, an homage to Zora’s reputation as the purest maiden, brighter than the sun, the most honorable of all the gods and goddesses.

“Ah, here comes the bride now,” de Valmiere announced.

About Echos of Love

Echoes of Love by Gina Ardito
Genre: Historical Romance

Synopsis

Royal governess Chesna Dubrow must protect the five-year-old king of Amatia from Napoleon Bonaparte’s invading army. To do so, she’ll be forced to wed one of the emperor’s loyal soldiers. But Pietor Gabris isn’t any soldier. Years ago, he broke Chesna’s heart, forgetting the vows they’d made to love each other forever.

Pietor’s return to Amatia is embroiled in subterfuge. Amidst the deceit surrounding him, he clings to the one truth he cannot ignore: his timeless love for Chesna. Yet confessing what’s in his heart would sentence them both to death. To keep Chesna safe, he must portray the role of traitor, ensuring her animosity continues to blow hot and harsh.

As danger and intrigue swirl around the palace, can Chesna place her faith—and heart—with the one man she swore she’d never forgive?

Add to your Goodreads shelf.

Purchase on Amazon | iBooks | B&N | Kobo

About the Author

I kill houseplants. There. Now you know one of my greatest shames. I’m not boasting. I just figure that if you’re reading this, you’re looking for more than how wonderful life is as a writer. You get enough of that elsewhere. Ditto for political rants, how to lose thirty pounds in a week, and creating gorgeous crafts with nothing more than twine and soup cans. My goal is to connect with you, dear reader, even if you’re not a writer, not a New Yorker, not a mother, not a female. We’re human (unless one of us is a spambot), and what we have in common is flaws. So here are a few more of mine:

I sing all the time. I sing songs most people don’t know–jingles from television, crazy stuff I used to listen to on Dr. Demento, Broadway and movie soundtracks, and I can even bum-bum-bum through instrumental music. I sing in the car. In the shower. While I’m grocery shopping. And I headbop while I sing. When I’m not singing, I talk to myself. Just ignore me and move on. You get used to it after a while.

I don’t eat my vegetables. Seriously. I only started eating salad about ten years ago, but I’d still rather have a cookie.

Given the option, I would live in a mall where I would never have to worry about freezing temperatures or too much sun. I’m extremely fair-skinned and could burn under a 60-watt light bulb.

I can’t sleep without background noise so the television’s on all night. If it’s too dark and too quiet, all I have are my thoughts. And even *I* don’t want to be alone with my thoughts.

Don’t ask me to Zumba, line dance, or march in the parade. I have absolutely no rhythm.

I color outside the lines. Not because I’m a rebel, but because I suck as an artist. My artistic ability is limited to being able to draw Snoopy sleeping on his doghouse. And I don’t even draw that well.

Regrets. I have more than a few.

My favorite activity is sleep, and I’m pretty good at it. I don’t clock a lot of hours, but I can powernap like a Persian cat and rejuvenate within ten minutes.

I consider shopping and dining out excellent therapy for anything wrong in my life.

My feet are always cold. Always. My husband of more than a quarter century claims it’s because I’m an alien sent to Earth to destroy him. (He might be right about that.)

Coming to my house for a visit? Unless you’ve given me plenty of advance notice, be prepared. My floor will not be vacuumed, there will be dishes in my sink, and I only make my bed when I change the sheets once a week (I’m climbing back into it ASAP. Why make it?) Housecleaning is not high on my priority list. Okay, to be totally honest, it’s not on the list at all.

I can resist anything…except ice cream.

Since this is our first date, I figure I’ve revealed enough secrets for now. But if you’ve read this bio and think I might be the author for you, pick up one of my books or stalk my website: www.ginaardito.com.

Other Books by Gina Ardito on Plain Talk Book Marketing.