Well, I am back! I was busy moving and getting settled in my new home so I didn't have the internet connected right away. I have decided to post a little excerpt of my new novel to give all you readers a taste of what is coming.

Today I was invited to the Orange County Christian Writers Conference. I would love to go, but as I don't have the money I don't know if that will happen. If I do get the chance to go, I will most certainly have a great experience and it would help my career a lot.

There will be:
- 2 continuing three-part workshops taught by published professionals
- The top editor for the world's largest devotional publisher will be offering inside secrets of success.
- The Editor of one of the nations largest and longest published Christian magazines teaches writing, the personal profile and magazine writing. He will also meet with writers seeking representation!!
-Three fascinating and inspiring keynote speakers will teach and inspire.
-There will be a continental breakfast, catered lunch and ONE private 15 minute consult with conference speakers which is included inthe registration price.
- A Career boosting and spiritually uplifting schedule of workshops and lectures.

Wow, I really want to go. If only I lived a little bit closer!!!

I hope you enjoy this little teaser, its almost completed so it should be out before summer. Please excuse the formatting.

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Chapter One
England - February 1911

Doctor Caleb Brooks gazed down the long dark hall of Bethlem Royal Hospital near Crayden, England; much was on his mind. He had agreed to his friend's proposition of taking extra shifts at the psychiatry hospital to obtain much needed credits. Dolton Grey, his friend and classmate at the Oxford University, had not told him he would be working six hour shifts before going to class in the morning. After the homework, he only had about four hours of sleep a night.

He was an exceptionally fine figured man, with dark hair and chocolate brown eyes that bore right down into the very soul of those in contact with him. He held the attention of every individual when he entered a room. However, he was a quiet man and secluded himself in his estate whenever possible. Dolton always wondered how his bedside manner could be so friendly and caring when naturally he rarely spoke a single word.

The sudden sound of weepiong caused the doctor to come back to the present. A low buzzing sound from the blinking lights in the hall caused him to strain to hear where the crying was coming from. Cal made his way quietly down the corridor, stopping to look through the small window in each door at the patients.

It was very unusual to hear any sound at night for the patients usually fell asleep immediately after their bedtime medications. At the second last door on the left hand side, Cal saw a young woman sitting up on her cot, her back against the wall and her body swaying back and forth as she wept.

Cal unhooked the keys from his belt and unlocked the door to her room, watching as she looked up at the sound of the opening door. Inside, he pulled the corner chair towards the bed and settled down comfortably to calm her down.

"Is everything alright, Miss Badeau?" he asked, urging her to look at him. She was a beautiful girl with blonde hair, green eyes speckled with yellow and a pale complexion. Camille, as he read on her chart, was admitted to the hospital nearly three months before. Her brother had claimed she attempted suicide and had run off when he tried to get her help. She had been found living in an old castle ruyin and was admitted into the Bethlem Royal Hospital.

The young woman before him sniffled, "Certainly not, Doctor Brooks. I have been kept in this building against my will, diagnosed with schizophrenia, and denied my right to plead my own case."

Cal tapped his pen gainst the folder before him, a thoughtful expression on his face, "I see. I do suppose you may state your side of the story to me if you would like. Perhaps it shall take the tension away long enough for you to catch some sleep. What say?"

"Truly, Doctor Brooks?" she asked, a sudden relief showing in her eyes.

"Yes, yes," he leaned back and gestured toward her with a small smile, "Now, start at the very beginning."

She nodded and folded her legs in cross-legged fashion. "Four years ago, our parents suddenly passed away when their carriage overturned on a steep narrow road along the seaside cliffs near our home. The family business in horse training, worth more than a million per year, was passed on to my brother and I to be divided equally. The one rule we were given in the will was to never sell Debonair, my mother's prize racing horse."

Cal watched the tears come to the girl's eyes and fought the urge to take her into his arms.

"One day, I went into the barn to take one of the horses out riding when I overheard Marcus and another gentleman discussing Debonair. As soon as I heard the man's offer and my dear brother agreeing to the man's price, I flew out of my hiding place and straight to Debonair's stable. I quickly saddled her and rode off, my heart pounding." Camille paused for a moment as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "I was not going to allo my parents only wish to be broken."

"Is that when you fled to the ruins to hide?"

She nodded, "Yes, I lived there for nearly a month before my brother and his hoodlums dragged me here. I am not insane, sir. I just wanted my parents' wish to be granted."

"I understand completely, dear, I would have done the same. However, I just cannot understand how the physicians here would have admitted you when you have a clean bill of health."

She sighed and tucked a strand of golden hair behind her ear, "My brother is a very persuasive person, I am positive he gave a large donation in order for my admittance."

Cal frowned, that did not seem right; since when did a person's independence not matter? "Let me think about this for a bit, Miss Badeau. I will get back to you on the subject in the morning."

"Alright. I believe I am getting tired now. Talking about my worries did indeed help!" she yawned as she spoke and climbed beneath the covers.

He said goodnight and then left the room. It was now time for his break and he needed to prepare some sort fo plan to help out Miss Badeau.

That morning at breakfast, Caleb entered the dining hall with an energized jump in his step. He had wonderful news to share with Camille and he was hoping she was awake and free to talk to him.

Camille was sitting with two other women at a corner table. She was smiling and laughing about something they were discussing and he did not want to interupt. However, his shift was almost done and he needed some rest before his class in the after noon so he wandered over to where she sat.

"Miss Badeau, can you come with me to the conference room please? I would like a word.

She followed him to the small room at the far end of the dining hall and took a seat at the long oak table in the center. Caleb could not help but stare at her in the light; she was a very striking woman and she seemed to be at peace now.

Cal settled down beside her and crossed his legs at the ankle. "Did you sleep well last night?"

"Yes, I did. Thank you."

"I have spoke to Doctor Fitzgerald about the situation and we have decided that you can leave if I take you on as my ward."
"Really?" Camille smiled, "That sounds wonerful, but are you sure you want the responsibility? I do not want to put you in danger; my brother is not a nice man."

Laughing, Cal took her hand in his, "I have many men working at my estate that can provide security. You have nothing to worry about, my dear."

After discussing the plans with him, Camille returned to her room to pack up the few belongings she had with her and then they went out to the carriage. The trip to the estate was a quiet one. Although she wanted to speak to him, Cal was not in the mood to talk for the long hours had nearly driven him to exhaustion.

The Brooks Manor was massive; the main house was three storey's high with beautiful vines climbing up onto the patio's above, and acres of immaculate gardens surrounded it. As soon as they came up the drive, Cal could feel the tension ease from his shoulders, and as he watched Camille's face he knew that she was experiencing the same sensation.

The carriage came to a stop in front of the building and he spoke to hsi friend and driver, Trensky, about cooling off the horses and feeding them. Camille looked through the side window at the red haired man with twinkling eyes speaking to Caleb and her heart sped up. Cal turned then and gestured for Camille to follow him. He helped her out the carriage before assisting her up the steps and through the massive double doors.

"Dottie, are you hear my dear?" he questioned loudly into the empty entrance, his eyes never leaving Camille as she looked around the room in amazement.

An elderly woman in a black dress and white apron entered the room from a side door. "Yes, Mr. Caleb, would you like breakfast?"

He smiled at her eagerness to feed him. "I will eat in my room Dottie, but first I would like to introduce you to my new ward, Miss Camille Badeau."

As they shook hands, Cal took off his overcoat and hat and hung them on a rack near the entrance. "Will you be kind enough to show Camille to the large guestroom? Also give her a tour of the estate and ask Trensky to let her have one of the horses. It might be suitable to get Lady Janine over to have some clothing made for her as well."

Dottie smiled and wrapped an arm around Camille. "Yes sir, it sounds like we shall have a very busy day. But you had better get some rest before your classes this afternoon; I will wake you at the appropriate time."

Caleb nodded and watched the two women leave the room smiling and laughing as they went. He knew that the days to come were going to be very exciting and strange; it had been a very long time since he had another woman in the home. His sister Anne had moved out four years ago when she married and Camille was the first ward he had ever taken on. Cal sighed and then went up the stairs to his quarters where he changed into his bed clothes, ate a hearty breakfast and then climbed under the covers for some much needed sleep.