Love Comes Blindly
“Honorable Mention Award” given to Love Comes Blindly from Love Romance Cafe. My book was nominated for “Best Historical of 2009″.
If love isn’t blind to past indiscretions, can absence truly make the heart grow fonder?
Lord Gregory Fielding has been wounded when he travels to Scotland to find the next big story for his London newspaper. Now blinded, he relies on the soft, comforting touch of one of the nurses at St. Mary’s Abbey. He thinks she’s a novice, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting to make her sigh in passion.
Madeline O’Neil cannot believe her misfortune. The man she had almost married three years ago is back in her life. Gregg doesn’t know who she is and she doesn’t dare tell him. Not until she makes him like the new Madeline. But as each day passes and her heart grows fonder, she fears he’ll hate her for certain once his eyesight returns. Especially when he discovers the secret she’s been keeping from him for three years…
5-Hearts!!! Ms. Phyllis Campbell did a great job of writing this book and keeping this fast-paced story moving at the speed which defied monotony. She created her main characters so that there were multiple levels to their personalities. This just made the couple more than fascinating. The supporting cast members were believable and the plot was so remarkable that it was almost impossible to put it down. The sensuality between the couple was incredible. Campbell definitely knows how to put the sizzle in a relationship. The tension written into the script just showed her ability to capture her readers. The myriad of poignant scenes captivated me and I’m so glad to have read this story. The surprises were non-stop. I loved this book and highly recommend it to others.~~ Brenda / The Romance Studio
5-Wings!! Phyllis Campbell has written a charming and sensuous historical in Love Comes Blindly. Madeline had such flaws as a young girl, but grew into a warm, caring young woman. One that Lord Fielding is having tender feelings for—until he regains his sight. Then, he can only see the girl who humiliated him three years earlier. Ms. Campbell layered her characters with believable personalities that a reader can relate to. With expertise, she wove a fast-paced story that kept me turning the pages. I loved this book, and definitely recommend it to others. You won’t be disappointed. ~~ Classic Romance Revival Reviews
5- Angels!!! Phyllis Campbell always grabs my attention after the first page, and I have to admit it is hard to let go. This story is no exception. Love Comes Blindly is a magnificent read that captures the heart and soul. I instantly fell in love with Madeline and Gregg. Both are vibrant characters that this reader could interact with and grow to love. I enjoyed their beginning and loved their ending. Mrs. Campbell enlists passion and stirring romance between the players. I cheered with each step they took to discover each other again and felt sadness with the other events that troubled their life. The plot is well-developed, and the tone of the story moves at a great pace, showing the true meaning of love and forgiveness, while holding onto what is valuable.~~Linda / Fallen Angel Reviews
**excerpt**
Gregg really didn’t want to call her Sister. He wanted to think of her as a real woman, not a nun. The tingles racing through his body reminded him how pleasurable a woman’s touch could be.
She moved to stand, but he grasped her hand and pulled her back down to the bench. “Mary, thank you for telling me. I feel I know you better now.” He rubbed her soft fingers.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have told you, but I feel like I know you better, too.”
He nodded.
“And Lord Gregg?”
“Yes?”
“Please call me Sister Mary.”
He grinned. “I know you’re not a nun.”
“But it’s not proper to call me Mary. I would hate to explain this to the other nuns.”
“Indeed, so I will only call you Mary when we’re alone.” He shook his head and chuckled. “It’s hard to think of you this way. I feel we’ve become close friends.”
“We have.”
“I wish… I wish I could see. I want to see your face. I’ll bet you’re beautiful.”
Taking both of her hands in his, he pulled her closer. Soft, delicate fingers rested in his palms. He ran the pad of his thumb across each finger. Slim. He suspected her body would be this way, too. Slowly, he moved his touch to her wrist, which was also small. As he continued up her arms, she stiffened. He waited for her to stop him or pull away, but she did neither.
He paused again when he reached her shoulders. A slight quiver came from her. Cautiously, he moved his fingers over her collarbone to her neck. Smooth skin met his fingertips, as did a wild pulse. Her throat moved in what must have been a swallow, and he copied that movement with his own, trying to add moisture back into his suddenly dry mouth.
Had he been the first man to touch her like this since she studied to become a nun? The thought thrilled him and made him want to keep touching. Small gasps came from her, and he enjoyed hearing them.
He continued up her slim neck toward her face. Quick, hot breaths exhaled from her mouth and fanned his skin. Excitement gushed through him, and his own breathing became ragged. His manhood stood at attention as encouragement to do more. He’d never became this aroused by touching a woman, especially with her clothes on. And to think he didn’t know what she looked like. Yet for some reason, it didn’t matter.
She had a small chin, and when he reached her dry lips, they were parted. He couldn’t stop from sweeping his thumb across her bottom lip. He wanted so much to stroke her tongue, and he struggled to keep from pushing the tip of his thumb into her mouth.
Licking his own parched lips, he continued the exploration and moved his fingers over high cheeks before stroking closed eyelids. Long, thick lashes tickled his skin. When he touched her hair, she sighed, and he nearly joined his voice with hers. Soft, silky, and curly, a lock of hair brushed his fingers.
He imaged what she looked like, and Mary was very lovely.
He dropped his fingers to her mouth again. This time they were moist. She must have licked her lips. His arousal ached with need. How he wanted to kiss her.
“You’re a very beautiful woman, Mary,” he said huskily. “I imagine your eyes are an amazing color, also. Let me see if I can guess.” He paused for only a moment. “Green…no, they’re blue. No, they’re turquoise.” Her gasp made him smile.
“How did you know?”
“I’ll confess. My friend, Lord Calvin, told me.”
She took his hands from her face and pushed them away. “I need to get you back to your bed now. Afternoon prayer time will be starting soon, and then I will have to help prepare the mid-day meal.”
Her voice wasn’t sensual any longer. Instead, it was edged with panic. Had he disturbed her as much she disrupted his thoughts?
She moved around him and pushed his wheelchair. By her hurried steps, he knew that he’d upset her. His heart ached. That was the last thing he wanted to do.
“Mary?”
“Sister Mary, please.”
He scowled. She really didn’t sound like a nun. She didn’t smell like a nun, and she didn’t gasp like one, either.
“What do you want, Lord Gregg?”
“I want you to call me Gregg.”
Her long pause made him hold his breath.
“If you wish,” she said.
“I do. I also want to tell you I’m sorry.”
The wheelchair slowed. “Thank you.”
“Do you know what I’m apologizing for?”
“Yes.”
“Sister Mary? May I ask you another personal question?”
“No.”
He chuckled. Her reply came too quickly. “Have you let other men touch you like that since…you came to live at the Abbey?”
She expelled her breath and it blew across his neck. He grinned. Yes, he disturbed her, to be sure.
“Lord…umm, I mean Gregg, I’ve made many mistakes in my past. I’m not immune to a man’s touch.”
“But you haven’t allowed a man to touch you since?”
“No.”
“Is that why your heart was racing?”
“Yes. But, Gregg, you can never do that again. Do you understand? I…cannot have those feelings.”
COMING TO CHAMPAGNE BOOKS IN JULY 2009!!