Welcome Catrina Barton

Blurb:

Seventeen year-old orphan Kaitlin Sinclair's world gets turned upside down when she's forced to move half way around the world to Indonesia with her uncle she never knew existed. Things get worse when the demons she left behind in America follow her to the land of intrigue.

Her uncle forces her to attend a celebration where she meets Cadmon, a mysterious, captivating stranger, who reveals that he knew her parents. She uncovers secrets that in the wrong hands could destroy his endangered clan of were-tigers and the entire world.

When Kaitlin dives into a foreign culture, full of mystique and dangers everywhere she turns, keeping her heart safe might prove as impossible as staying alive!

Excerpt:

The clearing fell silent as a man with shaggy, dirty blond hair which reached his shoulders, approached with a wide, purposeful stride. His shoulders were back, head held high and chest out. Piercing green eyes zeroed in on her.

Kaitlin inhaled a sharp breath and felt as if his eyes stared through to her soul. She shifted on the balls of her feet, and licked her bottom lip.

Ean’s body went rigid. A look of caution crossed his face as the man approached them.

“Evening,” the stranger greeted with a lazy drawl. His eyes never left her face. “Who is this exquisite young lady?”

His eyes settled on Ean’s hands on her hips. To Kaitlin’s chagrin her cheeks heated.

“Why are you here?” Ean moved Kaitlin closer to his body.

She braced her hands on his chest and gasped. “Who’s this?” She pulled back.

“Cadmon Quinn, madam.” He bowed. ”It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He grabbed her hand and brushed a kiss on the back of it.

Her eyes widened. Butterflies brushed inside her stomach.

“Smooth.” She slipped her hand free and rubbed it down the side of her dress to stop the tingles and shake off the electric jolt.

“She’s charming.” A corner of his mouth tilted. “Perhaps she will save me a dance?”

“She has a name.” She removed Ean’s hands from her hips and then turned to face Cadmon. “It’s Kate. Use it.” She raised her chin and planted her hands on her hips.

“Call me Cade.” He flashed an amused smile.

“What do you want?” Ean stepped between them and squared his shoulders.

“Couldn't resis introducing myself to your lovely cousin.” Cadmon sidestepped Ean with a smile, and then twirled his forefinger through one of her banana curls. “Interesting choice.” he gave it a loght tug. Her pulse quickened.

“I won’t let you, or my father put her through anything else.” Ean took Kaitlin by the elbow and stormed away.

She glanced back at Cadmon, who continued to watch her as he swaggered over to the elders, and picked up a tall glass of red wine. He saluted her with the drink, then sipped.

Kaitlin swallowed and turned around to break the eye contact. Was he a natural charmer, or was it an act? She hadn’t seen him talk to anyone else, so maybe he was the silent type?

Ean pressed a cool glass against her hand.

“What did you mean?” Her gaze locked with his as she sipped the fruity drink.

His brow rose.

“Why would they want to hurt me?” She took another sip.

“He and Father are not on friendly terms.” Ean scowled and sipped his glass.

“Why so defensive?” She placed her glass on the table and rested her hands on her hips.

Ean placed his glass down and grabbed her by the arms. “He’s dangerous, and will only bring you trouble.”

Cadmon appeared harmless, but the sheer magnetism of the man told her otherwise. What interest would he have in a girl like her? Was he one of those rich playboys? She frowned.

“Hungry?” Ean's fingers relaxed around her arms.
“I’m going to take a walk.” The thought of food made her stomach queasy.

“Stay on the path, Katie.” He frowned. “Want some company?”

“I need to clear my head.” She walked along the small dirt path that led over to the river. Inhaling the damp air she sat, and tucked her dress beneath her.

She closed her eyes and allowed her fingers to glide through the cool liquid, wishing she could peel off her dress and swim.

Her eyes opened and she frowned at her reflection. Laneca would give her a serious earful if she saw how heavy the bags were under her eyes.

“You shouldn’t be here alone.” Cadmon held out a plate of food.

“I shouldn’t be here at all.” She stared at the food, then looked away.

“You need to eat.” He passed her the plate and a glass of wine.

“Why are you so interested in me?” She sat the drink and plate on the grass.

“Eat.” He sat beside her with one leg stretched out and the other knee bent, with an arm resting on his bent knee.

“I’m not–” her stomach rumbled. She closed her mouth, cheeks stained.

“When is the last time you let someone look after you?” He picked up his plate and bit into his meat.

She twirled the meat-kabob with her fingers.

“Why so quiet?” He raised a brow.

She bit into her meat and closed her eyes as the combined juices of the roasted boar, a hint of ginger and oregano danced over her tongue. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she stared at her empty plate.

He chuckled.

She stared at the trees and wondered how the eagle nest back home was. The eggs should hatch any day. One more thing to add to the growing list of things she’d miss.

“How about that dance?” He stood up, holding out his hand.

After a moment she placed her hand in his.

He pulled her to her feet and into his arms, then spun her around.

“Why so interested?”

“Are you always this suspicious?” He swayed their bodies to the music and kept one arm around her waist as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

She’d never been held so close while dancing. It felt good to be held again, even by a stranger. She closed her eyes.

Something felt familiar about him, as if she’d met him before, desppite that she’d never seen him till tonight. How odd…

Inhaling she tried to figure him out. Maybe he wanted a young debutante to hang off his arm? She scowled. It would explain why he’d chosen her to talk to out of all the more sophisticated women in attendance. Was it because she was Ean’s cousin?

“You always this evasive? She gazed into his eyes. They were the most unusual green she’d ever seen, yet seemed to suit him.

He spun her away, then pulled her back, and dipped her as the song’s tempo increased.

Her heart rate sped up. She clung to him.  Definitely a first. She’d seen that move in some of the old movies, but had never experienced it until tonight.

“Kaitlin!” Her uncle’s voice caused heat to crash on her face as Cadmon righted her.

“Hello, Nigel.” Cadmon kept his arm around her waist, with her pressed tight against his side.

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Catrina Barton is a real go-getter, who in 2006 turned her avid reading addiction since she was three, into a vigorous passion for writing. Especially Young Adult Romances. She draws on her knowledge as a Kung-Fu Instructor to make her fight scenes both realistic, and action packed.
When not indulging her fertile imagination to craft stories for your reading pleasures, she enjoys hiking with her family, and amateur belly dancing.
Her love of writing, and her family, rival her exhilaration from helping fellow writers. She is a proud member of many writing, and marketing groups, and an active participant at Critique Circle, and several other crit groups.

Writes reviews for Safari Heat, and Satin Sheets Romance.

Favorite personal quote:
"An author cannot grow without both constructive criticism and encouragement."

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