Genre: Fiction,
Romance, Historical
Release Date: February
7, 2013
Heart like An Ocean:
In a society where
she doesn't belong, Senona Montez, a strong-willed and free-spirited woman
refuses to follow the path expected of a Don's only child.
On the eve of her
marriage to a stranger, she saddles her horse and flees everything she knows,
only to discover the petty concerns of society did not prepare her for the
harsh life on the open sea. She finds an unlikely protector in a reckless
privateer, Brant Foxton.
Straddling the
worlds of independence and privilege in 1600's Europe, this captivating man
challenges her in ways she never thought possible, shows her what living to the
fullest really means, and allows her to follow her heart wherever it leads.
Christine Steendam
Bio:
Christine has been
writing stories since she could put pen to paper and form words. Now, many
years later, her debut novel is scheduled to be released and her second book is
in the works.
Christine has spent
the better half of her life owning and working with horses, and these four
legged companions often find their way into her stories. After all, no work of
women’s fiction would be complete without a horse or two (in Christine’s
opinion at least).
She currently makes
her home in the center of the world—no, really. Look at an atlas.
PUBLIC AUTHOR
CONTACT INFO:
Heart Like An Ocean
Excerpt:
Spain-1666
Senona looked around the
room full of swirling dresses of so many shapes and colors. It was like a dream
and left her overwhelmed and unable to tear her eyes away. Tonight she was a
princess in her new dress with her hair curled, cascading in loose waves down
her back. Tonight she was perfect.
Browsing the room, this
time in search of familiar faces, Senona spotted Caton Amador, and Isidro
Amato. The boys, although older, were her friends and a welcome relief to the
overwhelming nature of her surroundings. She made her way around the perimeter
of the room in their general direction.
Isidro was never very
serious about anything and enjoyed teasing Senona, which annoyed her to no end.
Caton was much more subdued and quiet, at least around her. Although they were
not as close as they once had been, the families remained good friends, and the
three of them spent many hours riding around the countryside or playing games
in the garden. When they were younger, Isidro and Caton had been her constant
companions, helping her sneak out of tea with their Madres or rescuing her from
lessons with her tutor. Now they never voluntarily saw each other, but due to
their families’ relationship, they found themselves together often
enough.
“Senona, my Chica! You are
a picture of beauty, as always,” boomed Isidro’s obnoxious and teasing voice.
Caton turned to look at the
young girl. “Leave her alone, Isidro.”
“Come on, Caton. She’s glad
to see us.”
Caton frowned but said
nothing, turning his attention back to the pretty girl standing next to him.
Isidro seemed to accept that as permission to continue, and he smirked
mockingly at Senona, beckoning her. The small flock of girls that surrounded
the two boys giggled, causing her to blush and become hesitant and
uncomfortable. She had never seen the boys in this environment, and she quickly
questioned her decision that she belonged with them.
“It’s okay, Isidro. I just
wanted to say hello.”
“Well then, run along.
There must be some of your friends around.”
Senona forced a smile and
turned to Caton. “Hello, Caton.”
He barely acknowledged her
with a brief glance and nod in her direction, and then returned to ignoring
her. Unsure of how to deal with Caton’s rejection, she walked away, her eyes
burning with angry tears that threatened to spill over. Why was he being so
rude? Not even so much as a hello, as if he were embarrassed to be associated
with her.
As she pushed her way
through the crowd, she heard one of the girls laugh. “Caton, I do believe you
hurt her feelings.”
Caton’s deep, unmistakable
chuckle cut through the din and his voice was all she heard. “She’s a silly,
strange girl. I would rather not encourage her.”
Senona expected this
behavior from Isidro, but from Caton? She had always thought he was honest and
simple, but his actions tonight had shown her otherwise. She had been a fool to
think that these older boys were her friends.
Escaping into the shadows,
she hid from the sneering glances and mocking laughter that seemed to follow
her wherever she went. She had thought that tonight would be different, but
nothing had changed. She was just a strange little girl.
The night was a blur, a
blur of swirling skirts and obnoxious voices. To nearly everyone she was
invisible. Even her Madre and Padre, who had never been overly affectionate
towards their daughter, seemed to have completely forgotten her existence. But
that wasn’t so different from normal. They weren’t very affectionate people
ever, even towards each other.
At the end of the night,
Senona lay in bed, her new dress hanging in her wardrobe, mocking her. She had
realised tonight how far she fell from society’s standards, her own parents’
standards. Any illusion she had of being a princess, of being perfect for one
night had been shattered. But that didn't really bother her. The truly odd
thing was that she felt a weight lifted from her shoulders. Perhaps she didn’t
have to be that way. Perhaps now she had the freedom to do as she wanted. It
wasn’t as if anyone cared about her anyway. She was just a strange little girl.
Thanks so much :)
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