Pitch Madness SJ-13: ANCESTRAL SECRETS

Genre: Adult Magic Realism

Word Count: 72000

Pitch: Samantha searches her ancestral lineage to explain the mysterious deaths of her family. She uncovers a curse and her family's participation in starting the Salem Witch Trials. Unless she can break the curse, she's next. 

Excerpt: 

Intent on stealing my darkness, the sun crept into the room. Inch by inch its fingers crawled across the floor. Over the past year, every day was the same. Me against the sun. For hours, I waited for it to make its move, staring into the darkness that blanketed me, protected me. I willed it not to come, begged even.Please not today, you can have tomorrow. Just give me this one day. My efforts were futile and I knew it. No matter what I did, it wouldn't stop. I couldn't hide anymore today than any other day.

Making my way to the window, I stared at the strings dangling to the side of the blinds. Wrapping my fingers around them, I took in a deep breath, and pulled.

It was over. The daily battle against the sun was done.

I lost. Again.

Shushing noises and whispers came from the hallway. This was unavoidable as well. The silver doorknob turned, and I was helpless to stop the inevitable.

My dad burst into the room. His brown eyes brightened and dimples deepened with his smile. I looked like him except for my green eyes, which came from my mother. She trailed behind him holding a pink cake. My husband, Michael, followed her cradling our newborn, his dark eyes fixated on me with an, I-can't-believe-I'm-doing-this, smile.

Gathered in front of me, the group huddled and sang Happy Birthday. Laughter ensued as their attempt to stay on key, and in unison, failed. As much as I hated birthday celebrations, I loved this one.

CLUE: Mr. Boddy is found in the dining room, slumped onto the table, his head and shoulders soaking wet. A mop lies on the floor nearby. Trapped beneath his cheek is a gold coin with the face of Cleopatra set in relief.