The Look Challenge--Excerpts Anyone?

I've been tagged in the "Look Challenge" by my sweet friend and fellow author, Noree Cosper. Here's the way it works: You take your current manuscript and find the first instance of the word “look”. Then you post the surrounding paragraphs as an excerpt of the book on your blog. Lastly, you tag five more blogging authors who you think would be a good choice for the game.

So I am going to cheat a little bit.  I'm giving you an excerpt from Horizon (Elemental Enmity Book IV) and Dreamscape (Netherworld Book I).  These are truly the first examples of the word look in both manuscripts :)

First Horizon:

Tabitha’s expression softened.  “I’m sorry for deceiving you.  There was no other way.”

I shook my head.  “Ainessa could have taken control of me, at any time.  How could you put me in that kind of danger knowing what she has planned?”

She didn’t flinch when I said Ainessa’s name even though I had been berated for using it in times past.  I knew it was stupid to say her name, but sometimes it just came out of me.  Besides, it reminded me who I was up against.  She sighed and said, “You were being guarded.  There was no way she could have captured your mind.  Give me some credit.”

A disgusted huff raced up my throat.  “After what you pulled, you’ll be lucky if I ever speak to you again.”  I walked closer to her, but my mind traveled to the last time I’d seen Zach.  My temper died on a gust of remorse.  He hadn’t even moved after I blasted him.  My question came out as a whisper.  “What if I hurt him?”  I let the real question fizzle before it fully formed in my mind—what if he wouldn’t forgive me?

She looked at me like a was a five year old new to kindergarten.  “Ammon is fine.  In fact, as we speak, he is organizing your rescue.”

A jolt of fear shot through me.  Had I misheard her?  Best to make sure, though.  “My what?”

Tabitha shook her head as her pale gray eyes settled on mine.  “He is your bondmate.”

“But…Heath…”

She finished for me.  “Is aware.”

My hands flew to my mouth.  “What are we going to do?”

She chuckled.  “It’s good to see you asking for a change.”

Now for Dreamscape.  There are two distinct points of view in this excerpt so I have labeled them:

Amelia

 The hallway stretches forever in front of me like an endless highway to Nowheresville.  One thing’s for certain:  I’m getting nowhere, so I slam to a stop and bend over, sucking in wind.

This is the worst shape I’ve been in.  I got kind of lazy when Justine took me in five years ago.  At first I made life pretty difficult, thinking she was just going to ditch me too.  Wouldn’t you know it the minute I thought I’d have her forever is when she left me.  Being with her was the only time I felt safe in my whole life.  I should have known it wouldn’t last.

Psycho dude inches closer to me, and I snap up, facing him—the door is right behind us.

No way.  There is no freaking way.  I blink a couple times just to make sure my eyes are working right.  When that yields the same result, I lower to my haunches to check the cobbled floor.  If this thing’s a conveyor belt, I’m a red banana.

With as much composure as I can muster I say, “You’d better start giving me explanations, buddy.  Why am I here?  What is this place?  Who are you?  I don’t even know your freaking name!”

Deep green eyes flit towards the door.  When he looks up again, he holds out his hand.

I shake my head.  I’m not touching him on purpose.  He’s not far from me.  He could snatch me up like he did when he barged into my room and stole me from my bed, but he doesn’t.

His voice is barely audible.  “Come with me.  I’ll explain everything.”

Seth

My heart slams against my chest.  All I have to do is stay calm and she won’t know; she won’t figure it out.  There is no way I am letting her go no matter what now.  Even if she manages to see through my bluff, I’ll figure something out to keep her with me.  I motion for her to move ahead of me, but she shakes her head like I want her to.

For her to be tied to me, this has to be her decision—her mistake.  I reach for the handle with controlled movements, hoping I don’t give anything away.  A smile spreads my mouth when I face the door to block her access.  The cool metal knob twists, and I push the door away.  With practiced movements, I lead her into my shrine.

Now I'm supposed to pick Five authors that would have fun with this.  My choices are:

Nikki Jefford

Nancy Straight

Thomas Winship

Kayla Curry

Wynne Channing

I hope you guys will have fun with this!  I know I did.  Thanks Noree!