BY LOVE BETRAYED: RETRIBUTION 1: Book 1: Anita's Story---Dream Quest (Timekept Series II)

---UPDATED VERSION---
"Everyone makes mistakes"---so the saying goes---
But can the biggest mistake of Anita's life ever be remedied and made right?

Anita's Story begins. . .

Timekept Series II
BY LOVE BETRAYED: RETRIBUTION 1:
Book 1: Anita s Story---Dream Quest

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA---Present Day: Anita Caroline Wyckham has no belief in the paranormal or a predetermined state of being like reincarnation, karmic rebirth, or the transmigration of souls, but it was uncanny how accurate her fortune read from the Tarot cards the year before had been. The reader had warned her then of the catastrophic events that would change her life forever in the year to come.

Much to Anita s misfortune, her sudden financial collapse drives her to accept an offer of ultimate betrayal from her best friend s husband that she should have refused. Steven is desperate to have children of his own by any natural means possible, but because of her blighted past, his wife Casey wants nothing to do with the idea. When Casey walks in on Anita and Steven on All Hallows Eve while they are fulfilling the terms of their contract in her bed, she leaves without a word, and is killed in an automobile accident a few hours later.

Anita is consumed by guilt and realizes that just retribution is required of her unless she can find some way to make amends; to learn to forgive; and to be forgiven for her betrayal of both Casey, and herself.

SCHUYLKILL RIVER VALLEY, 1824: When Anita is injured in a violent Santa Ana windstorm; she wakes up to find herself trapped in a loveless marriage; that she is embroiled in an affair with a married man; and that she has become the pawn of her first love, who still has the ability to make her do exactly what he wants her to do because of their shared history.

To Anita's horror, she discovers that each night when she goes to sleep, she returns to the past, and that each day when she wakes up, she must continue to provide for herself as a single woman in the modern world.

When Anita attempts to escape her circumstances in the past and runs away from her husband s wagon, she is caught in an animal trap set by a mysterious woodsman---who when he discovers her, feels obligated for the damage that has been caused to her by his trap, and assumes the responsibility of providing for her---in so doing, Kane becomes the man of her dreams.

With no future in either of her parallel lives, Anita begins a quest to make amends, to find forgiveness, and to discover how to end her dual existence and become whole again.

But when the final resolution does occur, what will happen to the love of her life? Will he be the one to pay the ultimate price as just retribution for her dual betrayal or will she choose to sacrifice herself for his sake?

EXCERPT: Welcome back, Anita. I was hoping I would see you again at least one more time before we arrive at the Inn. Kane looked up from stirring the bubbling pot hanging over the fire, his dark beard split into a broad smile. I hate to say this, but I am really hungry. Cold always makes me more hungry than usual. He pulled a pouch that hung around his neck from beneath his bulky animal skin clothing. Opening the drawstring, he fingered something out and sprinkled it onto the brew.

Anita savored the spicy aroma that wafted across the cleared space to her makeshift bed. "That smells really good," she said aloud, and her stomach noisily agreed. Kane chuckled---she was very grateful that the night hid the hot, embarrassed flush that crept up from her neck to smother her face. So I am finding out! She grumbled, gripping her midsection and attempting to quiet the telltale rumblings. Where I come from, it doesn t get this cold.

Without looking up from his task, Kane asked quietly, and where might you be from, Anita?

Anita's Story continues. . .