Gift for the Goddess

By Carol North

A ski accident lands American psychiatrist, Leila Darling, in a world between life and death. Her deepest desire is granted by the goddess of the mountain. The manifestation of her wish is in the form of Lord Rosh, a handsome East Indian skilled in the art of lovemaking as described in the Kama Sutra. To return to the land of the living she must leave her love behind. Can she make the sacrifice?

• Language: English
• Publisher: eTreasures Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Mar 20, 2014
• ISBN: 9781937809836

Carol North

Savannah resident, Carol North, writes contemporary romances set in elegant or unusual settings. Her third novel, Savannah Heat, will be released on June 15, 2010. This contemporary love story portrays Savannah and Southern traditions and the city's artistic culture. North's books are available in print and eBook formats from Amazon.com, classactbooks.com, and selected bookstores. She loves to hear from readers.

Book preview

Gifts for the Goddess

by

Carol North

Published by eTreasures Publishing, LLC at Smashwords

ISBN 978-1-937809-83-6

*****

Copyright 2010 Carol North

All Rights Reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, except for review purposes, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any format or by any means without express written consent from the publisher. This book in electronic format may not be re-sold or re-distributed in any manner without express written permission from the publisher.

This book is entirely fiction and bears no resemblance to anyone alive or dead, in content or cover art. Any instances are purely coincidental. This book is based solely on the author’s vivid imagination.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Acknowledgments:

To the Members of My Wednesday,

Girlfriends' Linner Meeting.

(Yes, that's Linner for between lunch and dinner.)

Lynne Bendoly

Marli Sieburger

Patricia Andres

(Note the alpha-order.)

We never know where the conversation will turn

when we four writers get together.

Sometimes we even discuss writing.

Thank you all. I greatly value our friendship.

Gifts for the Goddess

by

Carol North

Chapter One

Foolish women leaving gifts of jewelry at the feet of the plaster goddess. Leila Darling looked up and into the eyes of the life-size statue set on a waist-high pedestal. Surprised the jewelry hadn’t been stolen since the statue sat in the hotel lobby, she shook her head. The silly women are probably praying for a man, or for a better relationship with a man.

The statue had pearl-tipped silver wires radiating from the center of its back making it look as if it were in the middle of a snow storm. Or, perhaps it was the snow storm. And the earrings? Nude men dangled by rope-lashed wrists from the goddess's earlobes. Creepy. Leila touched the emerald pendant hanging from her neck on a gold chain and resting in the valley between her breasts, then let her gaze travel down the colorful, gilt-trimmed statue to the gemstones scattered on the pedestal.

Instead of wasting their jewels and money, they should ask me about relationships. I am, after all, a psychiatrist. I'd tell them the truth—forget it. Don't mess up your mind about a man. All men suck, especially the ones I find.

Well, goddess, I'm not going to ask you for a favor. There's no way you, me, or anyone else could fix my lonely, loveless life. And haven't I suffered enough yearning for my soul mate? Hoping I'll find him around the next corner, believing the current guy or the next guy is him, and always being disappointed, she whispered, took