Lyla
Kelly and Marc Hosseini have never met. The forty-seven-year-old
widow and mother of grown twin boys doesn't know what to think when
she begins receiving letters from the son of an old friend. She never
fathomed that Marc, twelve years her junior, could ever be interested
in someone like her, especially since they have never even seen one
another. Nor does she count on the passion that his mere words invoke
in her.
Go
with Lyla and Marc on their journey of discovery, and watch a
surprisingly-powerful love bloom between them–a love strong enough
to rival the undying adoration that inspired the building of one of
the Seven Wonders of the World. The beautiful shrine, Taj Mahal.
Excerpt
Agra,
India
Dear
Marc,
How
I long to have you here with me. Though I have always found comfort
in our letters, the thought of actually being with you makes our
written words pale in comparison.
I
have tried to keep myself busy today. I went for my morning walk and
you were there with me as usual. Thoughts of you consume every step I
take. Even more so today.
I
talked with the boys after breakfast, and like clockwork, they
immediately asked about you, wanting to know if you'd made it here
yet. You guys have never met, yet they are completely taken with you.
Why is that?
Dumb
question, indeed. You seem to charm everyone by just being you. And
you have charmed my grown sons by simply giving me a reason to smile
each day.
Oh,
heavens, how I ache to be in your arms! Being apart from you is
madness. What have you done to me? I have yet to experience your
embrace, but I dream of it almost every waking moment. I imagine what
your arms will feel like, the feel of your mouth on mine, the taste
of your kiss, and the sensation of your touch as you make love to me.
Oh, how . . .
Sorry,
back to my day.
After
doing some laundry, I did a little more sightseeing. I have been
trying to pace myself because there are so many things I want to
experience with you. You did promise to take me way off the beaten
path, remember? And you are going to introduce me to Bollywood! I
can't wait. But of course, I will. I have heard this Indian
superstar, Hrithik Roshan, is a handsome guy. But I'm sure he isn't
even in your league.
I
long to finally see your face, Marc, and have you see mine. I hope
you will be pleased. I know I will be, because I know your heart, as
you know mine. That is what matters. Every now and then when I am
tempted to worry about the age difference again, I remind myself of
that fact, because I know you would if you were here.
It
is dark now, and like my own, the mouths of other visitors are agape
at this magnificent spectacle. I have watched the colors of the grand
structure change in the fading light, each shade equally beautiful,
just as you told me. The Palace looks milky white in the soft light
of the morning, and then it glistens brightly in the afternoon sun
like a jewel against the blue sky. Then the moonlight makes it even
more majestic and beautiful beyond words. Right now it is shining
like a pearl in a sea of velvet.
So
here I still sit, never moving from the bench, writing this letter to
you bathed in the moonlight of Taj Mahal. I sat here last night, and
the night before as well. I can't help wondering if this is the same
bench on which Princess Diana sat when she visited so many years ago.
I think my name should be carved into this bench because I occupy it
so much, waiting for you. Funny, this spot always seems to be vacant,
as if the fates sense this is my place–mine and yours, though we
have never shared it in body, only in spirit.
When
I return to my room in a while, I will email these thoughts to you.
Come
to me soon, my love.
Please.
Yours
forever,
Lyla
“Oh,
Marc,” I whisper into the night. “Here I go again. I can't help
it. My thoughts always roam to where we began, you and I. It's hard to
believe it was only two months ago that I received your first letter.
I wish I had it with me now. But then again, I don't need it. I
remember it by heart.”
I
sigh, quickly lost in the memory. “Maybe by starting at the
beginning this time, it will help me manage the incessant pain of
this great and terrible wait I endure.”
Release details coming soon!
