Eliza Freed | The Lost Souls Series Continues

What did author Eliza Freed learn while writing her debut novel? Find out below, and check out a special excerpt from REDEEM ME: the second book in her powerful Lost Souls Series. Welcome, Eliza!

5 Things I Learned While Writing My First Book

1. I had no idea how to write a book.

2. When writing your first book, do not write it completely out of order.

3. A 300,000 tragic love story is ambitious for a writer's first story. Or their 50th story.

4. Do NOT write a prequel. I repeat, DO NOT WRITE A PREQUEL.

5. See number 1.

Excerpt from REDEEM ME

“I’m still waiting for an answer, Charlotte. I don’t understand. Do I not appeal to you?” Not with all this talking.

After a long sigh, I lean back and look Noble in the eye. “With Trey, or people like Trey, I’m instituting a ‘swim at your own risk’ approach. If someone finds my wretched self attractive”—I put both hands to my chest, forgetting it’s bare in the middle—“and they’ve been made aware of the dangers, it’s their responsibility to make their own decisions.” I pause and Noble’s even more annoyed than he was before I started the ocean reference. “You, though, my beautiful friend, are far too precious to swim without a lifeguard. I would never be reckless with you.”

Noble pulls me close and kisses me. I freeze for a brief moment and give in to the warmth spreading through me. I cross my wrists behind Noble’s neck and lean into him, enjoying his lips for the second time. It’s becoming less and less possible to deny him, especially if he’s going to look this good. Over the band, I hear tires squeal and I expect the crash sound effect to play, befitting the situation. Noble’s lips graze my neck and my ear. His breath steals my doubts and he whispers, “I’m a big boy, you know.” Oh, I know. “You can let your guard down.”

I return my head to Noble’s wonderful shoulder. This is crazy. I’m not starting a relationship with Noble Sinclair!

“Noble.”

“Yes?”

“I want to be your friend.”

“You are my friend.” The snowflakes come down in a mass flurry from the start, a thousand with the first one.

“No, I want to be your incredibly dear friend. I want to date someone I don’t like half as much as you.”

Noble pulls back so he can see my face and I try to remain as serious as possible.

“I am thankful to have you in my life. Never more so than the past few months. I need you in a hundred different ways, but I can’t keep sneaking kisses from you. It’s a waste of time for both of us.”

Snowflakes continue to fall on us and Noble continues to study me, probably trying to figure out why he’s out here in the first place. Then, just as surprisingly as before, he kisses me. And again, I kiss him back. He’s not throwing it out there or testing the waters. Noble claims me with his lips, denying every rationale I’ve clung to. I should be his forever.

I really do hate myself.

“You’re not listening,” I say, returning my face to its home right between his neck and shoulder.

“Perceptive,” he says, nodding.

“Sorry to interrupt you guys,” Julia says, sounding like someone just died. “Jason was just here.”

About REDEEM ME (Lost Souls Book #2)

Charlotte O'Brien desperately needs redemption. Torn apart by her parents' tragic deaths, Charlotte has no one to turn to after she alienates herself from everyone and everything. Fate sends her a lifeline when she runs into a childhood friend. Now all she sees is Noble Sinclair-tall, gorgeous, with a body made for sinning. But Charlotte knows better than anyone how quickly the things you hold dear can be taken away-and though loving Noble feels like it could be her salvation, Charlotte knows it could also destroy her.

Noble Sinclair has always loved Charlotte. Now seeing how far she has fallen, Noble vows to be the man who can make her happy and bring her out of the darkness that has haunted her for far too long. But to save Charlotte, he must make her learn to forgive everyone who has forsaken her . . . starting with herself.

Want the whole story? Start with FORGIVE ME, book number one in the Lost Souls series.

Character Interview: Meet Noble Sinclair

Today we’re sitting down with one of Salem County’s finest, Noble Sinclair. He’s the 6’2”, blue eyed, golden boy who went from Class Flirt his senior year to a dual major in Agriculture and Finance at Rutgers University. He’s also a main character, along with Charlotte O’Brien and Jason Leer, in Eliza Freed’s Lost Souls series.

Noble’s such an interesting name. What does it mean and why were you given it?

I’m pretty sure Noble means tortured by classmates, and my parents gave it to me to make my life difficult.

Forgive me for saying, but you look far from tortured.

laughs

It’s actually a family name that means noble. I’m the last stop—none of my children will be named Noble. Charlotte is the only person that still uses it. She’s disagreeable and stubborn, very stubborn. Even my parents call me Nick.

You come from a long line of farmers, and have taken over your family’s farm, what do you like most about the job? How does it define you?

I am the seventh generation of Sinclair farmers and I can’t imagine doing anything else. I considered other professions at Rutgers, but realized I want to spend the rest of my life outdoors. There are few other careers that would allow me to manage my own business, work outside, diversify my days, and climb into bed every night with a feeling of accomplishment.

I believe in our ability to nurture and grow.

What’s your strongest childhood memory?

When the plowing was done, just before the planting, my father would let us run through the fields. The soil was lined with hard grooves from the tire treads and we’d crush them with our bare feet. My sisters and I, and Jason Leer, would spend evenings running and playing, knowing once they were planted the fields were off limits. There are evenings when the warm breeze hits me and I can remember racing out there like it was yesterday.

It’s still my favorite stage of farming. That moment before everything begins again.

What’s in your refrigerator right now?

I have no idea.

Beer and eggs, probably. Check the date on anything you find in there. I’m quite a catch, huh?

How would you like to die?

I didn’t realize this was an inspirational interview. I haven’t thought much about it, but I want it to be peaceful. If I’m lucky I’ll have a great dinner, make love to a beautiful woman, and then pass on in my sleep.

Speaking of beautiful women, what quality are you most attracted to in Charlotte?

The list would be shorter if you asked what doesn’t turn me on about Charlotte. Let’s see. She’s beautiful of course, her smile and those long legs. There’s the spot on her neck right below her ear that always melts her and I can’t stay away. The softness of the underside of her breast…the feel of her legs tangled in mine under the sheets.

sighs

Her strength could move an army. It’s a quiet, unyielding power. Charlotte could take you out without ever raising her voice. She is the strongest person I’ve ever met.

But what I absolutely can’t live without, is the sound of her laughter.

Get to know Noble even better: Purchase your copy of REDEEM ME today!

About the Author

Eliza Freed graduated from Rutgers University and returned to her hometown in rural South Jersey. Her mother encouraged her to take some time and find herself. After three months of searching, she began to bounce checks and her neighbors began to talk; her mother told her to find a job.

She settled into Corporate America, learning systems and practices and the bureaucracy that slows them. Eliza quickly discovered her creativity and gift for story telling as a corporate trainer and spent years perfecting her presentation skills and studying diversity. It's during this time she became an avid observer of the characters we meet and the heartaches we endure. Her years of study have taught her laughter is the key to survival, even when it's completely inappropriate.

She currently lives in New Jersey with her family and a misbehaving beagle named Odin. An avid swimmer, if Eliza is not with her family and friends, she'd rather be underwater. While she enjoys many genres, she has always been a sucker for a love story...the more screwed up the better.