Monday, July 18, 2016

Sneak Peek: Conquered by Paula Quinene (#historical #romance #giveaway)

[If you’ve read any of my work, you’ll know I love stories set in exotic locales. Check out Conquered, a historical erotic romance that takes place in WWII Guam. And don’t forget to enter Paula’s drawing at the end of the post! ~ Lisabet]


Blurb

Conquered is a passionate love story, as much about its main characters, Guam native Jesi Taimanglo and American GI Johan Landers, as it is about author Paula Quinene’s passion for Guam itself. As her characters try to find a place for themselves amid the war, Jesi’s relatives, and the Chamorro traditions, Quinene charts a path through a seldom told story: Guam’s place in WWII. An original idea written with an original voice that invites readers in to the exotic world of the Pacific, complete with coconut trees, banana doughnuts, dolphins swimming in the ocean, and moonlight on Pago Bay, Conquered also recounts the brutal horrors of the Japanese occupation on Guam, a US territory largely forgotten back in the States. In addition to learning about a singular and little-known culture that has played a part in the world wars of the Pacific, readers will undoubtedly crave the recipe for banana doughnuts.

—Stacey Donovan, Writer, Editor, and Author of Dive

Excerpt

Johan stood beside her, and could feel her arm against him. The slight grazing of her skin assaulted his senses. Christ Landers, they’re praying and you’re thinking of that. She did the sign of the cross again, and the prayer ended.

Come, Johan, you and your men eat first,” Mrs. T said, appearing out of nowhere.

We can wait, Ma’am.”

No, you’re our guests. Jesi and Peter, show them what we have.”

Jesi led Johan, more like pulled him first, to the table. Peter helped the other soldiers.

It’s not fancy,” Jesi said as she handed him an old bowl and spoon. “We’re blessed we didn’t lose our house.”

It smells delicious, and reminds me of you.” Johan smiled, remembering the coconut oil.

You know what rice is right?”

Yup.”

I hope you like seafood.”

Sure do.” A grin spread across his lips. “My favorite is brown trout because my Pops used to take me fly-fishing in the Catskills, and we caught a lot of that kind of fish.”

You’re a fisherman?”

Johan watched as she ladled fish, shrimp, and white broth into his bowl.

I wouldn’t go that far. I was mediocre on my best days. Pops was great at it. We’d come home with tons of fish.”

They moved down the table.

Sounds like you miss him.”

I do. He passed awhile ago.”

I miss both my grandpas.”

In an instant, he saw the joy dissipate from her face. Don’t make her cry.

What is that?” Jeez, I might have to eat it. “If I eat whatever that is,” he nodded toward the bowl of beans and something, “will it bring that pretty smile of yours back? I didn’t mean to make you sad.”


About the Author


Paula Quinene was born and raised on Guam. She graduated from the University of Oregon in 1997 with a bachelors of science in Exercise and Movement Science, hoping to return to the island as an anatomy teacher. A resident of North Carolina since 2000, Paulas homesicknessormahalangness” – has motivated Paula to write A Taste of Guam, Remember Guam, both cookbooks, and her first novel, Conquered. Paulas home on the web is www.paulaq.com.




Instagram: pquinene



Paula is giving away a $10 Amazon or BN gift certificate to one lucky reader. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter. 

Visit other posts in her Book Blast for more excerpts and more chances to win!

 

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14 comments:

Goddess Fish Promotions said...

Thanks for hosting!

pquinene said...

Good morning Lisabet! I'm thrilled you are sharing my book. Thank you! Did you, or your readers, know about the island prior to seeing Conquered?

Michelle said...

Was in Guam briefly on my way to Okinawa. I would be greatly interested in reading about such a beautiful island paradise.

Melanie B said...

Thanks for the chance!

pquinene said...

Hi Michelle! Guam has changed a bunch since my younger years, but it is still paradise.

pquinene said...

Thank you too for stopping by!

Mary Preston said...

I enjoyed the excerpt.

H.B. said...

Thank you for the excerpt!

orelukjp0 said...

I love visiting other places by reading. Thank you for the great contest.

orelukjp0 said...

I love visiting other places by reading. Thank you for the great contest.

Jen B. said...

What an interesting setting for a story! Thanks for introducing me to a new author!

pquinene said...

Awesome, and thanks for coming in!

pquinene said...

Hafa Adai orelukipO, that's hello in Chamorro, the native language of Guam. Enjoy your trip to Guam in 1944/1945!

pquinene said...

Hi Jen B., thank you too!

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