Blood of My Blood

All of her life she'd always known that she was different. Growing up in an orphanage deep in the heart of North Carolina, where children were mere accessories to be used or discarded. Samantha Richardson had it all planned. She would leave, start a new life, and finally uncover the truth of where she came from. To find her mother. But never in all of her wildest dreams did she consider the stark possibility of the truth finding her. An evil in the most unexpected of places, believes that she has something it needs. A deadly knowledge is revealed. Events set into place that all lead to her existence. Jason Banks' only mission was to keep Samantha alive. His past unknown, his future uncertain, Jason hides a dark and terrible secret that he must protect at all cost. But as he falls deeper into a web of love and seduction with Samantha, and she begins to grow closer to the facts, he realizes that her blood will be on his hands.... Surrounded by death, lies, and betrayal, Samantha travels into the unknown leaving behind everything she thought she knew, and enters into a world where nothing is at it seems. Racing against time, she must confront the darkness. Something that has waited for her ever since the day she was born. But can Samantha handle the truth? Or is a lie easier to accept than what is right before her eyes?

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

BLOOD OF MY BLOODBy ANDREA JOHNSONAuthorHouseCopyright © 2009 Andrea JohnsonAll right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4389-8470-4Chapter One The rain came in small amounts at first, sliding down her face with a mildly annoying, constant drizzle. The rhythm slow, yet quickly gaining momentum until she was forced to sit up, as the down pour drenched her completely. SAMANTHA RICHARDSON blinked three times to clear her eyes from the water, but her vision was still blurred. Her hair was soaked, molded to her like a second skin. Brushing it aside, she tried to get a clear view of her surroundings. She'd fallen asleep in the middle of the woods, with only the clothes on her back and the now soggy sandwich, which she'd managed to keep tucked away in her back pocket. Everything else was gone. Lost in the explosion yesterday. Just remembering it was enough to make her jump to her feet and take a quick glance around. She cursed herself and took a mental note of all the dark areas. How could she be so stupid? Her heart pounded with fear. Falling asleep like that in the middle of nowhere, and in an open area! She was lucky to be alive. But as she started her trek thru the sinister and unrelenting blackness, Samantha knew luck had nothing to do with it. Walking slowly through the narrow patch of trees, she tried to see thru the pouring rain. But it was almost impossible. The tall branches seemed to close in around her, nearly blocking out any sign of day. Small patches of light appeared in various areas, as if seeking a way into the darkness. Samantha shivered in trepidation, and nursed the deep scars that lined her arms and wrist. She didn't have time to waste, sleeping while precious moments ticked away. She had to hurry. She needed to find Jason. Her steps quickened as she thought of the man she loved risking his life for her. "Oh God, please let him be alright." Running blindly, all she could think of was Jason telling her not to let go, and both of them leaping off of the plane as it exploded. It was just too damn close this time. They didn't have parachutes, but the plane had flown over the wooded area, and they'd been hoping to have landed in the trees. By the aches and bruises in her body, she hadn't been that lucky. She ran faster, zigzagging thru the dark, narrow passages, calling his name. Slipping and falling several times. Scraping and injuring her arm even more. Tears of frustration and fear rolled down her cheeks. "Get a hold of yourself, Samantha!" She shouted. "You've come this far. Don't throw it away by losing control!" Struggling to get up, pain shot thru her elbow and she cried out. She'd have to be more careful or she'd never survive at this rate. And Samantha knew, she would need all of her strength for what was to come. * * * Bracing herself against a tree, while she caught her breath, Samantha thought she heard something. Her entire body instantly became taut with tension. Terror rippled thru her as she stood still listening, the water pelted against her face. She heard it again, this time closer, like the sound of running feet crashing through the trees. Without another thought, she broke into a run. Survival was the only thing that mattered now. Barely keeping her balance on the wet and slippery ground, she tore thru the woods. The darkness was like a cage, running into the unknown; hands seemed to reach for her. Voices whispered past her ears, taunting her, she was scraped and pulled by branches and sharp prickly things. Panting heavily, she fought her way through. Running from the unseen predator that was hot on her heels. But she didn't need to see her pursuer, to know what it was. Suddenly, she heard someone call her name. It was very faint, but there was something about it that drew her attention. The voice sounded familiar. Trembling, she paused, glancing behind her. She stared warily at the clearing she'd just emerged from, not willing to trust the hope. All of a sudden, the bushes and trees broke apart and Jason came stumbling through the opening. Panting and wheezing, drenched from head to toe. "Jason!" She limped over to him, throwing her arms around him with joy and relief. They both winced in pain at the contact. Jason breathed deeply into her hair as he held her close. He thought he'd lost her. The fear still trembled through his body. "Thank God." He whispered. Despite his pain, he held onto her for as long as he could. His terror of losing her was so great. Especially when he knew what was after them. "I thought I lost you." He voiced his concern, as he held her face close to his. Samantha silently wept at the miracle they'd been given. But they were running out of time. As if Jason sensed her thoughts, he took her hand. "C'mon. We've got to keep moving. We need to find shelter." Ignoring the black and blue bruises on his arms and forehead, he hurried them through the darkened areas. He knew this place. He'd traveled these paths before. Jason was a drifter. He never stayed in one place too long. He wished, most of the time, that he'd kept going. That he'd never stopped in Jacksonville North Carolina. Perhaps then, he never would have met Sunflower. But then again, he wouldn't have met Samantha either. He would never give that up. They came to a fork in the road, which to the left, led to a small town in the distance. Samantha and Jason looked at each other. They knew better than to involve anyone into helping them. They already knew the danger of that decision. But food and shelter was needed, and it would only be until the storm blew over. With mutual understanding, they hurried towards the town in hopes that they could find somewhere to recuperate. On the way there, they came to a barn that was left halfway open. Soaking wet, Jason led her inside and closed the door. Out of the rain, Samantha's eyes began to adjust to the dim lighting of the room. Inside, the air seemed frigid and still. Not a sound could be heard. She rubbed her suddenly chilly arms. Compared to the humid summer air outside, it felt as if they had stepped into a freezer. Looking around, she noticed that there were no animals present anywhere. A tall stack of hay was lined neatly in the corner. Walking over to one of the stalls, she began to feel a coldness run through her blood. Each of them was closed. There seemed to be nothing out of place, except for the subtle feeling that something was not right. As she started to turn away, something drew her eye. Bending down for a closer look, her heart stopped. Slowly seeping from beneath one of the stalls was a pool of blood. Before Samantha could react to this, Jason came behind her and quickly grabbed her hand. Leading her to the corner of the barn where the hay was stacked. She considered telling him about what she had seen, and then thought better of it. She dismissed it, placing it in the corner of her mind where she would later decipher, what she already suspected to be true. He helped her get settled, then gently eased down next to her. Samantha's hands shook from the cold. Her arms were scarred with red rimmed marks, where she'd fallen from the crash. Her black hair hung down her back like a wet rag over her face and shoulders. Her clothes were tattered, wet, and dirty. And her face was a picture of misery in the flesh. Drawn and pale, and tinged with blue, her lips trembled slightly. Jason's heart wrenched when he looked at her. Things like this just didn't happen to people like Samantha. She was made to be beautiful, to laugh, to be loved. Not to die. Or watch those she loved die around her. Those things were meant for him, because he was nobody. A nineteen year old boy whose life was damned. He had nowhere to go, and no life to live for. Drifting endlessly towards a meaningless existence, waiting for hell to claim him. Until he'd met Samantha. Sweet Samantha with her unusual auburn eyes, and coal black hair that stretched to the length of her knees. She was tall, at five foot nine, with legs that went on forever. Her body was slim and athletic, the curves dipping in all of the right areas. She'd almost look like a seductive beguiling witch, if not for her eyes, which spoiled the effect. They were so beautiful and deep, and filled with so many mysteries, that he'd drowned in them. Taken in by the beauty that made Samantha the girl she was, and the woman she was becoming with each passing day. Jason wrapped his arms around her as she trembled. What they were faced with was no small thing. It would take everything they had in them, and everything they didn't, to confront 'SUNFLOWER' But for right now ... he stroked the wetness from her face. They needed each other. They needed to reconfirm life, and how it feels to be loved. Holding her, Jason surrendered to the yearning. He gifted her with something he'd only just learned how to accept. Slowly pulling off her wet shirt, he gently laid her down onto the hay. Samantha looked up into his face. Her eyes filled with trust, and love. Aroused, he lowered his mouth to her bare breast and gently suckled her rosy nipple. Samantha moaned, desire heating her bones and chasing away the chill. Cupping her other breast, he gently began to massage it, taking her nipple within his two fingers and twirling it gently. Her back arched pleasantly. He growled low in his throat, wanting more of her. Needing her now. He tugged off her soaked jeans and flung them to the side, ripping off her underwear. Samantha's body was already wet and slick from the rain, but Jason could feel her grow sleek and moist as he touched the soft folds covered with dark curly hair. He lowered his head between her legs and drank of her sweet nectar, like a man dying of thirst. She cried out, unable to hold back her feelings of joy and ecstasy. She held onto his head and encouraged him to take her there. Like a beautiful symphony her body began to soar. Jason's tongue delved deep inside her, stroking, soothing, massaging her until she exploded in many rivers of passion, right into his loving mouth. He took all of her, gripping her smooth round buttocks until her spasms subsided. Newly soaked and drenched in his own sweat, Jason swiftly stripped off his jeans and shirt and entered her in one smooth motion. Samantha sobbed in ecstasy, as he again drove her body and took her to that special place. Only this time, he came with her. Lifting her to straddle him on his lap, she curled her legs around his waist, and took all of him inside of her. "Jason." She whispered his name as tears of pleasure trickled down her face. They moved as a unity, their bodies rocking in motion. A time old dance recognized by thousands who have known the wonder of love. He cupped her taut buttocks, and took her deeper. "Stay with me baby," he rasped, they pumped faster, more urgently, "Stay with me." Their bodies dripped with sweat. She cried out in excitement as he gripped her by the hair and bent her backwards. Her round buttocks pushing against his hands as he kneaded them. Jason felt her quiver and tighten around him, and it drove them both over the edge. Samantha gasped, her body bucking, as the climax hit her with such violence. He gripped her tightly as he poured all of himself into the girl he loved. Holding her as the spasms wracked his body, burying his face in her neck, as they rode the wave of ecstasy. Samantha lay very still. Her mind slowly coming back to reality, and with it, the fear. Sensing her sudden mood change, Jason tenderly kissed her closed eyelids. "Samantha," he said gently, as he eased off of her and pulled her into his arms. "Let us have this moment where there is only me and you." He spoke with urgency in his voice that made Samantha open her eyes and stare at him. What she saw there made her catch her breath. His chocolate brown eyes were intense. His wet curly brown hair matted to his head, and small drops of water falling across his brow, made her want to take him in her arms again. He was so handsome, with his hard chiseled face and wide sensuous mouth. The look in his eyes pleaded with her, so filled with love, anger, fear and courage. Silently he begged her to hold on. To believe in the love they shared, and to be strong. Samantha knew without a doubt that if she weakened at all or gave up the fight ... there was no hell worst than what awaited the lovers if they should slip up and make a mistake. Nothing worse than the horror they will encounter should they not keep moving. She closed her eyes and willed herself to go on. To continue their journey, for Jason. She would die if anything ever happened to him. She shuddered at the thought of the only man she ever loved meeting his death. Jason tightened his hold on her. "Let us have this right now." he said quietly. "Please." Silently, Samantha acknowledged the need to lose herself in him. And the reason why it was so important to Jason as well. Not saying a word, she wrapped her arms around him in welcome. His heart soared at this tiny sign that her spirit had not been broken. Her courage had not plummeted along with the plane crash. She was stronger than both of them put together. She just didn't realize it yet. They made love again with a fierceness, the sheer knowledge that each moment was precious. Samantha knew what was waiting for them. She knew they had not escaped, but were only enjoying a moment of reprieve. But as long as breath still coursed through her body, and as long as she could feel Jason's heartbeat thudding rapidly close to her own, she would fight until death. Until she could no longer feel his gentle hands, his lips, or his love. Because without Jason, there was no life to live. As they made love with a fevered hunger, the two young lovers clung to life. For both knew that this precious moment, might very well be their last.............. Chapter Two Samantha was startled awake by a loud bang. Quickly she looked over at Jason, but he was already on his feet, gun in hand. Samantha shivered at the sight of the gun. She was never comfortable with him having it, but she knew it was necessary. She also knew it was useless. Jumping to her feet, she scrambled for her clothes. Jason was already dressed. "Do you think it's her?" She whispered, her voice trembling as she quickly zipped up her pants. "Be quiet!" He admonished. His features were set in tense lines as he focused his gaze on the barn door. Someone was coming. They could hear the footsteps. What was so strange was that whoever it was didn't make any effort to be silent at all. Just then, the door swung open. Samantha went very still, waiting. As they watched, a huge burly man holding a beer bottle, staggered into the barn. He was cursing and grunting in between swigs, as he made his way over to them. Apparently, the man had not yet seen them. Jason quickly hid his gun in his back pocket. Relaxing slightly. Still on guard, he stepped protectively in front of Samantha. She was relieved, but still trembled in dread. The man looked as if he could desecrate both of them in just one swat. But Jason, as always, took charge. He stepped forward into the light and made himself visible. The stranger was taken by surprise. He let out an oath and stumbled back a few steps. A string of curses flew from his saliva dripping mouth. "What the hell are you doin, boy!" He thundered. "Get the hell off my property before I skin you alive!!" The huge man had regained his composure and took several threatening steps toward him. Jason stood his ground, but the farmer was the size of two huge boulders and built like one. If it came to blows, there would be no match. "Let me explain, sir," he started, trying to reason with him. But the man wasn't listening. His face was beet red with rage, and he was panting so heavily that the partly closed buttons on his shirt threatened to pop. The few thin wisps of hair on his balding head were plastered to him, and his eyes were darkened with bloodlust. He grabbed a pitch fork that was leaning against the wall and aimed it at Jason. "This is the day you gon' die boy!" "Listen to me!" Jason shouted at him, "We meant no harm; we just needed a place to sleep!" He was slowly backing up, his hands raised. It was evident that he didn't want to fight the farmer. "You don't know what you're doing mister." Jason tried to warn him. "Let us go." "Your bed will be made in hell!" The man shouted, and charged at him. Samantha's heart froze. From the corner where she was hiding, she could see everything. Jason stood very still, as if poised, waiting for something. There was a weird hungry look in his eyes ... she shuddered. She could not let this happen! Without thinking, she jumped out into the light, and threw herself against Jason. "Stop!" She shouted. Spreading her arms wide, covering him, just as the man was about to plunge the fork into his chest. The farmer gasped and jerked as if stabbed from behind. He stumbled to a halt, and the pitchfork clattered to the floor from his trembling hands. He stood there staring in shock and disbelief. (Continues...) Excerpted from BLOOD OF MY BLOODby ANDREA JOHNSON Copyright © 2009 by Andrea Johnson. Excerpted by permission. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Reviews

News