Tuesday Teaser 12/10/13 Wolf’s Princess
This is a very tiny snip from one of the secondary stories from Wolf’s Princess. In Omaha, when a woman turns 18, she has three choices: marry, pay a tax to stay single, or go to work in one of the three whorehouses in town. Some women enjoy being “business women”, especially those who work in Sky’s House. He treats them like beloved sisters and any customer who tries to misbehave with them is shown no mercy by the Sky or the wolves who have come to work in the House.
One of those ladies is Miss Amanda, a full figured woman with long mahogany brown hair and flamboyant tattoos spiraling around one arm, over her shoulder to her breast. She’s worked for Sky for three years, and although she doesn’t mind the work and she loves the freedom it gives her, for the past few months she’s been thinking of settling down. She has enough money to pay the Single Status Tax for years to come, and more than enough to pay the Marriage Tax, but she doesn’t know exactly what she wants in a man. Sky would make a fine husband, but he’s taken.
Sand Wolfe came to Omaha as part of the escort Taye sent with Rose. He’s both fascinated and horrified by Omaha. He decides to hang a round for a few months, and Sky puts him to work as additional protection for his Pack of women.
Sand stared at Sky. “You want me to just stand out here in the hall and listen for a woman’s voice to say Cupcake?”
“Yes,” said Sky patiently. “That’s the word the ladies use when their appointment behaves in a way she doesn’t like. If you hear a woman say cupcake, go right into the room and be sure the man isn’t hurting the lady.”
Sand nodded crisply. “Do I kill him?”
“No! The lady will tell you whether the man should be escorted out or given a warning. OK? You can sit here. The appointments will begin arriving in about fifteen minutes. Your shift is three hours long. Paint will relieve you then.”
Sand watched Sky go down the stairs. He looked up and down the hall with its doors at regular intervals. There were four on one side and three on the other. At the top of the stairs was a small alcove with two delicate chairs on either side of a small table. He moved over to one of the chairs and carefully sat. What was he supposed to do for three hours?
The door at the far end of the hall opened and Sand sat up straight as a scent came to him. There were a multitude of sickeningly sweet scents crowding his nose, but this one was clean and light. Deep inside, his wolf gave a mighty howl. Sand was so shocked by his wolf that he almost didn’t notice the woman stepping out of the door. She had walked right up to him before he wrestled his wolf into a semblance of submission.
‘Well, hello,” she said in a throaty purr, looking him up and down with obvious approval. “You’re the hall monitor for tonight?”
He nodded dumbly, taking in her luscious curves with awed eyes.
“You must be one of Sky’s relatives?”
He nodded again.
“I knew it. You’re all so buff and handsome. I’m Miss Amanda. You can call me Amanda.”
“Amanda,” he breathed, leaning a little closer to draw in a lungful of her scent. “I’m Sand.”
She almost knocked him off his feet when she ran the tip of one soft finger down his nose to tap his lower lip. “And you all have such fun names. You’re adorable! I would love to play with your hair sometime. In fact, on my next day off, I’ll give you a freebie.”
She turned to saunter back to her door. Sand’s gaze fixed on her lush, swinging hips. She paused and turned back.
“Oh, I forgot what I came out for. I was going to tell you that my first appointment tonight is Terry Askup. Last time he was here he was given a warning for being too rough. If it happens again, I’d like you to escort him out.”
Sand stared at her closed door with cold goo swimming in his guts. Miss Amanda was his mate. His mate was a business woman. In a few minutes she would be entertaining a man with a history of roughness, and she might ask him to escort her appointment out.
This was not good.
Girls’ Weekend
My ten year old niece came to stay with me this weekend. I am single, with no children, so kids kind of freak me out. Still, we’re having a good time. We had pizza. baked chocolate chip cookies, and watched the movie Wreck It Ralph. The biggest hit so far was playing dress up with some of Auntie’s historical costumes. My niece is a free spirit who loves to ham it up for the camera. I wonder if she will be an actress or something in the public eye. She’s not shy! These were my favorites. Which do you like?
Tuesday Teaser 12/3/13-Sky
Wow! It’s already December? We’re getting a lot of snow the next few days, and then the temperatures are supposed to drop. Highs between -5 and -11, lows between -10 and -24. For Celsius folks, that’s between -20 and -31. A bit nippy even for North Dakota. I guess we’ll have a white Christmas at least! Here is a scene I wrote a while back, and it takes place a few months before Quill leaves Omaha to return to the den.
The new year was only fifteen minutes away when the mayor of Omaha was admitted to Miss Mary’s House of Joy. As host, Sky went to the entry to greet the latecomer to the New Year’s Eve party.
“Welcome,” he said with a cordial smile which hid dark and bitter things. Did McGrath have any idea Sky considered him his greatest enemy? Could he see the hate that roiled inside him? Mayor McGrath handed his luxuriously warm overcoat to a fifteen-year-old girl who, until a month ago, had been picking up johns on the icy streets of Omaha. Mayor McGrath gave her a patronizing smile and a pinch on the ass as she took his coat. Though his wolf yearned to tear out the mayor’s throat, Sky maintained his friendly expression through years of practice.
“Tim, I’m glad you could drop in.” Sky shook the mayor’s hand and drew him into the reception room. “I’m sure you have several stops to make tonight.”
The mayor accepted a glass of champagne from a server. “Naturally, I want celebrate with as many of my people as possible, but I wouldn’t miss your party. Where better to ring in the New Year than at one of the fastest growing businesses in town? You’ve done a lot with the place in the past few years.”
Sky smoothed his sapphire blue silk tie with a self-satisfied smirk. At least, he hoped it looked self-satisfied. “Thanks, Tim. We’re managing to turn a nice profit, as I’m sure you’ve noticed by our taxes.”
“Yes.”
Tim McGrath’s tone was distracted. His gaze was fixed on LaToya, the newest lady in the house. He waved her eagerly over. LaToya shot a pleading look at Sky. He nodded at her and she came over, reluctance showing in her stiff steps. Sky looped an arm over her shoulders and pulled her close to his side.
“This is LaToya James,” he said. “LaToya, say hello to Mayor McGrath.”
“H-h-hello,” she whispered.
“Hello, young lady. Aren’t you a pretty little thing. I want you to join me after midnight.”
Sky produced a smile and shook his head. “LaToya is new. She just turned eighteen on Christmas Eve. I’m not ready to share her yet.” Without giving the mayor a chance to respond, he brushed his lips over LaToya’s hair. “Help Patricia in the kitchen, baby, and send Aimee over to us.”
The mayor chuckled while he watched LaToya hurry away. “One of the perks of being the owner of a whorehouse is sampling the employees?”
Sky shrugged enigmatically.
“I heard you’re engaged to a girl back home.” McGrath sipped his champagne with a raised brow.
And you’ve been married for a good woman for thirty years, Sky inwardly sneered. Doesn’t keep you from taking any woman who catching your eye. “Ah, Aimee. Mayor McGrath, have you met Aimee Chambord?”
The mayor smiled widely at Aimee’s gaping décolletage. “Why no, I don’t believe I’ve met Ms. Chambord. Can I get you a glass of champagne, my dear? Will you excuse us, Sky?”
Sky waved them off with hidden relief. He circulated through the large set of reception rooms, checking to see that the bouncers were alert and none of his ladies was being mistreated. He was an Alpha wolf, and the men and women who worked in this house were his Pack, his to protect and provide for. And —his eyes went cold when they found McGrath— kill for.
He glanced at his reflection as he passed a mirror on the landing of the main staircase and paused to straighten his sapphire blue tie. It was the same blue as his eyes, vivid against the white of his shirt and black of his suit. His hair was trimmed in the latest style. Everyone said what a handsome, stylish man he was. A wave of weary disgust passed over him. No one in the Clan would recognize him. Even he didn’t recognize himself some days. There were times he doubted his wolf approved of him. In fact, his wolf seldom made himself felt any more. How long had it been since his wolf had run free? Too long. He went up the stairs to stand at the railing that looked down on the reception rooms.
Quill, his cousin and beta, joined him, handing him a glass of champagne. Miss Mary, the lady who had saved them when they’d first come to Omaha years ago, came with him and stood between them at the fancy carved railing. The three of them looked down over the dozens of people coming together to watch the clock count down the last few minutes of the year 2069.
“I’m leaving in the spring,” Quill said quietly.
Sky’s hand tightened over the stem of his glass with almost enough pressure to break it. He’s known the day was coming when Quill wouldn’t be able to bear the vice and intrigue of Omaha, but he flinched anyway. “I understand, but I’m going to miss you. Are you sure you want to leave?”
“Yeah. Come with me,” Quill urged.
Sky watched McGrath as the man sipped champagne from Aimee’s cleavage. “I can’t. I have to finish what I’ve started.”
Miss Mary, aging but not stupid, patted his arm. “What about your fiancée, honey? You let everyone think the wrong thing, but you can’t fool me. You love that girl. Go get her and bring her home.”
Rose. The mate his wolf had chosen for him five years ago. Longing so deep and sharp it was painful cramped Sky’s belly. He wrapped one hand over the bannister to brace himself. He could almost feel her blond hair under his fingers, the trembling warmth of her mouth under his. “I can‘t bring her here.”
Ms. Julia pursed her lips. “No girl is going to wait forever, you know, not even for a handsome young devil like you.”
“She’ll wait.” Grim certainty rang in Sky’s voice. Taye would see to it. But, oh, God, how he wanted to see her.
Quill met his eyes over the top of Miss Mary’s silvering head and Sky knew that Quill understood. The two of them, deprived of their mates for over five years, understood each other’s pain all too well.
“Five!” shouted the crowd. “Four! Three! Two! ONE! Happy New Year!”
As horns blared and confetti swirled, Sky lifted his glass. “To Rose,” he whispered, and drank.
Something About Maddy Saturday
Did you know I’m scared of flying? I didn’t know I was. Twenty years ago when I was in the military I flew from time to time. I don’t remember being scared of it then.
But three years ago I went to Lori Foster’s Reader & Author Get Together for the first time, and since I live in North Dakota and the event was in Ohio, I decided to fly. I boarded the plane in a rain storm. We were grounded for a half hour past the original time of departure because of lightning. Once we were in the air it was like being on a rollercoaster. (I hate rollercoasters) Up and down. I felt like I was on skis, running a crazy mogul course, with no control. By the time the plane landed in Minneapolis where I was supposed to transfer to another plane I really, REALLY didn’t want to get on the next plane. My brother lives in Minneapolis. Maybe he could leave work, come and get me, and put me on a bus back home. I would lose my money for the ticket, but who cared? Al I could think about was the fact that in my books, a plane leaves Minneapolis and crashes.
Well, I did make my connection, and I survived the plane ride to Ohio. I managed to get back on the plane to go home too. I haven’t flown since. A good friend now comes with me to the RAGT, and we drive. I would really like to attend other conferences, but… I’ve never yet been lucky enough to get into Authors After Dark, and I’m disappointed about that, but maybe a teeny bit relieved too. I would rather not have to fly!
Tuesday Teaser 11/26/13: Wolf’s Vengeance
So here is a little snip from Mel and Snake’s story. Thursday is Thanksgiving here in the States. I don’t know if this little snip is worth giving thanks for, but I hope you enjoy!
“I’ve waited all my life to have a mate of my own.” Snake’s voice was low. “Between the ages of ten and twenty I barely ever saw a woman up close, but I always wondered what it would be like to have a mate. Someone who was mine to take care of and love. I dreamed of it. In my dreams my mate loved me and I would do anything for her.” His dark eyes looked directly at her. “I would never do anything to hurt you, Melissa.”
She hated being called her full name. “I believe you,” she told the bedpost.
“No.” His hand lifted and swayed from side to side as if to disperse her words like campfire smoke drifting in his face. “You’re afraid of me. I smell it on you from time to time.”
Mel resisted the urge to hunch her shoulders. She also forced her instant denial back. “Maybe I am. But I know I don’t need to be. You’ve been really decent to me. All your friends have been nice too.”
“Then why? Is it my wolf?”
Her shabby bedroom faded to be replaced by a nearly bare hotel room. She felt Randy Fosse’s hard hands digging cruelly into her shoulders to hold her down on the bed while Jim yanked on her shirt. The bruising pressure on her shoulders suddenly lifted, and a huge gray wolf tore into Jim Fosse, slinging saliva and blood over her…
“Yeah,” Snake said in a near whisper. “There’s that scent. It is my wolf, isn’t it?”
After the Crash Timeline
Have you ever wondered which story takes place when? Do they overlap? Well, even I get confused so I made this nifty little chart to help me keep track. This is actually a simplified version of the one I use. (Mine has actual events listed, but I don’t want to give possible spoilers for those who haven’t read all the books yet) Anyway, I thought maybe you would enjoy this. 🙂
Tuesday Teaser: 11/19/13-Wolf’s Vengeance
So… Mel and Snake were married yesterday, but he spent his wedding night on the floor. Tonight he has other ideas. Mel and Snake are in the kitchen, washing the supper dishes and talking.
“I can take care of myself.” Mel swept her thumb over the butt of her pistol. “Dad taught me to shoot before I was ten, and I’ve been wearing this gun ever since. I’m never unprotected.”
His laugh surprised her. “Glad to hear it.” He glanced over at the pot of wash water on the stove. “Looks like the water’s warm. Let’s get going on these dishes.”
Mel let out a shaky laugh. “Okay. I’ll get started if you’ll bring in the dishes from the dining room.”
After he went out to collect dishes, Mel braced herself with her hands against the sink’s rim for a long breath. Her husband was a stranger. A strange stranger, whose attitudes threw her off stride, but she thought she liked him. He didn’t push for details she’d rather forget. And he wasn’t grabby.
When he came in, holding a pile of dishes that would have taken two of her brothers to carry, she was busy at the sink. He set the dishes on the counter and took the washrag himself. “I’ll wash and you dry. You know where things go better than I do.”
How odd that a werewolf washed dishes with deft hands and hummed while he scrubbed. Again, that domestic image clashed with her memory of his snarls and growls in the hotel room. Which was the real Snake?
“Oh,” he remarked, as if the thought had just come to him, “I won’t be sleeping on the floor tonight. I’ll be joining you on your bed.”
A plate slipped from her hands to shatter on the floor. She blinked down at the scattered shards for a moment before realizing her mouth was gaping wide. She closed her mouth and stared at him. This shouldn’t be a surprise. They were married. Her uncle had performed the ceremony yesterday. Last night she had expected him to claim his marital rights, but he had only lain down on the floor in her bedroom. She swallowed now, her breath oddly cold in her lungs, and bent to pick up the pieces of the plate.
Snake stopped her with a wet hand on her wrist. His eyes were shadowed by thick stubby lashes, and it seemed to Mel they were carefully blank. “Was that such a shock?”
“Well, ye— I mean, no. Well, sort of.” Mel inwardly cursed herself for fumbling her words as well as the plate. She drew in a calming breath and tried to smile at him. “We’re married. You’ve been pretty patient, but I know you want to, uh …” She waved the dishtowel. “You know.”
He took a step closer, so close she could make out each individual eyelash that shaded his eyes. “Do you want to?”
Did she? In her mind’s eye she could see through his clothes to the thickly muscled body beneath. During their trip to the ranch she had seen him switch from man to wolf and from wolf to man often enough to have memorized how he looked naked. What kind of lover would he be? Sweetly fumbling like Danny? Viciously aggressive like Rob? He was strong, stronger than a normal man. He could do serious damage to her with a single blow. Her heart slowed to sluggish thumps, as if it were beating in a vat of icy molasses.
Fingertips rough with calluses grazed her cheek. “Mel?”
Her heart magically leapt free of the molasses to take off at a gallop. Staring at Snake, she jerked her head from side to side. “No, I don’t want to.”
His hand fell away. “Okay, we’ll wait until you’re ready.” He turned back to the unwashed dishes and spoke quietly. “Please don’t be afraid of me.”
Tuesday Teaser 11/12/13-Sky vs Mr. Magic
About a year before Wolf’s Princess starts, Rose rescued a battered tomcat from a bunch of boys who were torturing him. She named him Mr. Magic 8 Ball. The name was shortened to Mr. Magic, or just Magic. The cat is now overweight, scarred, missing most of one ear, and his tail has been broken more than once. He hates every living thing except Rose. He purrs for her. Taye would dearly love to chuck the cat out, but the creature won’t go. Rose loves that cat, and insisted on bringing him to Omaha with her. You can imagine how Sky feels about him, especially since Mr Magic believes Sky is an interloper and won’t let him near Rose’s bed.
Sky glanced around the hallway to be sure no one was watching, then lowered himself into a crouch so he could stare the nasty feline right in his baleful gold eyes. “Look, cat, this is my house. Rose is my mate. You behave yourself, or you’ll be out in the street, waddling after mice for your dinner.”
The cat yawned insultingly, the scent of fish rank on his breath. Realization ground Sky’s teeth together.
“You thieving feline,” he said with disbelief. “You ate my lunch! I’m going to– Dammit!”
He jerked back the hand he’d reached for the cat with.
Light footsteps sounded behind him. He rose swiftly to meet his mate’s angry glare. “Don’t you dare lay a hand on Mr. Magic!” she hissed.
He shoved his bleeding hand toward her. “Me? He’s the one who attacked me!”
“That’s because you scared him.” She bent to scoop the black butterball up and held him to her face, making kissing noises at him. “Poor Mr. Magic. I won’t let the nasty man hurt you. Poor little sweetie. I’m here now. You’re safe.”
Sky could swear the little beast smirked at him.
Wolf Tracker Audiobook!
Do you enjoy listening to audiobooks while you drive, clean, knit, etc? Why not try Wolf Tracker? An author, like a parent, shouldn’t have favorites, but I have to say, Tracker and Tami have a big part of my heart. I love, love, love Tracker! And Tami is strong enough to be perfect for him. Wolf Tracker is available now from audible.com. The narrator, Clementine Cage, captures Tami’s voice so well that you can hear the mix of vulnerability and strength in it that makes Tami who she is. Head over and give the sample a listen.
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