Sleeping Beauty

Everyone looked familiar. Everyone looked like strangers. Stormy woke up every night with a scream torn from her throat, blood covering her body and raw flesh under the nails. She soon realized, she was not in Kansas anymore. The nightmare was back.

Conspiracy…
Unbeknownst to her, at the first full moon after her thirtieth birthday the curse would manifest itself. The curse that says, if she can embrace her beast, she can break the curse. One problem, the concept that she is Lycan has been kept from her all of her life.

Betrayal…
Alpha Demetrius Perry, fire Captain to stations two-two, whose gentle eyes and soft smile only slightly masks the strength of his resolve is anything but what he says he is… a friend.

Destiny…
Secrets abound, how will Demetrius awaken his Sleeping Beauty and guide her to her place as Alpha female and queen to his king when he’s not sure if he wants the curse broken.
How deep will her love run? Can his love for her destroy the resolve she has sworn to uphold? As their worlds collide, who will survive?

EXCERPT
“Demetri, you shouldn’t have awakened her.” Father Kenny swiveled in the chair as he tugged at the starched white Episcopalian collar that was too tight around his neck.
His expression flat and voice as calm as always as he relaxed his body against the leather and intertwined his fingers together at the nape of his neck.
Captain Demetrius Perry looked past him to the clock on the far wall. His eyes unreadable and mystical, gave nothing away. He glanced at Father Kenny through a veiled darkness none of the pack understood. Didn’t want to.
“It was time.”
“What if she’s not?”
“She is.”
“And if she refuses?”
He didn’t want to think of the implication of her refusing. He glared at Father Kenny but looked past him. “Then I die."

Captain Demetrius Perry of Fire Station Two-Two, closed his eyes, sucked in a deep breath and let it out on a rush of air. His heartbeat escalating in his chest and pressing against his ribs sent once forbidden sensations surging through his body. He didn’t like the feelings surging through his body. If Stormy Knight made him feel this way and she was a door away, what would happen when she was in front of him?

He’d seen Stormy numerous times, too many to count. She pulled him to her with such strength he had to have her. Have her near him. Become a part of him and vice versa. Demetrius had been in her dreams, her thoughts. He knew more about her than he wished. Private things no one should have been privy too, but somehow she came to him in his sleep, sharing dreams, desires, passions, and lust. Shivering inward, he tucked his feelings and unfamiliar emotions back down to where they wouldn’t reach up and grab at his gut.

Pushing up from the over sized desk, Demetrius walked to the far wall and threw back the heavy curtains hiding the window. Father Kenny’s hand flung up to shield his eyes from the bright sunlight suddenly illuminating the room; an uncomfortable frown twisted his face.

Demetrius thought about Father Kenny’s words for a moment. He’s been right on more than one occasion in the past, but not this time. Kenny, the historian of the wolf. His comrade. Priest. Friend. He was the first person Demetrius met when he joined the force and would probably be the last he saw. Kenny had spent years, almost a decade teaching, and guiding his pack. Sheltering them through the many storms their minds went through and their hearts. When they couldn’t confide in anyone else they confided in Father Kenny.

The captain spoke over his shoulder, “She’s here.”
“And, you know this how?” Father Kenny straightened his back, looked from the captain to the closed door of the office and back to the captain.
Demetrius turned his head toward the cleric, placed his index finger alongside his nose and tapped it slowly.
“Ah yes,” Father Kenny pushed up from the chair and strode over to the opposite side of the room. “The proverbial beacon. How stupid of me to forget.”
The loud repetitious rap on the door signaled her arrival.
“One day your senses are going to fool you and I’m going to be there to make witness.”
“Captain Demetrius,” the door slid open. “Firefighter Knight,” Firefighter Parker announced.
The door opened the remainder of the way and two people entered.
Knight strode in with confidence, dropping her duffle at her feet with a thud. The other man backed out of the room and pulled the door shut behind him.
She stood at attention, gaze locked, body stiff, arms straight at her side, “Firefighter Knight reporting for duty, Sir.”
Her nervousness danced along Demetrius’ skin sending flutters of anticipation through his stomach. He wanted to smile at her strength, stubbornness, but didn’t.
“At ease, Knight. There’s no room for formalities in this fire station.”
She relaxed her legs a fraction and clasped her hands together behind her back.
“Lighten up and take a seat.” He bore his gaze into her… testing, but she refused to look away. “I’d rather stand, sir.” Her shoulders loosened and she let out a quiet breath.
Captain Demetrius Perry’s expression stilled and his gaze cut from her to Father Kenny. Pulling a file out of the drawer, he opened it and began to read its contents. A minute passed before he closed it, then looked up and caught her gaze.
“Extensive. You are an excellent firefighter, but you could be better if--”
“Captain, may I speak freely.” Knight cut him off.
“As free as you want. Like I said there are no formalities here.” He settled back into the soft leather of the chair.
“I don’t understand what I did to get transferred . . .here.” She took a step toward the seat facing the desk. “Am I being reprimanded?” She folded her body into the chair and clasped her hands together in her lap.
He let out a heady laugh. “Punished, is that what you think? This is the best damn fire station in the state,” slapping his open hand on the desk. The sound loud and sharp sliced through the air. “We are the toughest, meanest, bad assesses around. There’s a waiting list to come here.”
Unfolding his body from behind the desk, he took a few steps toward her and spoke into her ear. “I requested your transfer. You have talents that were being wasted at the other station. You used to be a hot shot until they stuck you over at one-oh-one. Put those crap ideas of desk jobs and research out of your head. Don’t you get tired of everyone going about his or her day doing everything that is asked? Not asking any questions. Everything by the book.”
Her body tensed and her energy stood the hairs on the back of his neck and arms. Her scent, wild and tamed, fresh and old tightened his gut. He felt his eyes grow from chocolate brown to black then red almost instantly. Demetrius turned his head, as he sucked in a lung full of air and held it there until her scent singed his lungs. He straightened his back and blew it out in one long slow puff.
“Isn’t that how it is supposed to be? By the book.” She glanced in his direction. “I’ve never been rebellious.” She mumbled, her voice low and unsteady. It almost cracked.
“Yeah, sure, by the book and it drives you out of your mind, doesn’t it? How often does your skin itch for excitement?” He asked a question he didn’t expect her to answer. “Your talent has been wasted for the last time.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You will.” He rotated his neck, rounded his shoulders and stepped to the door. He pulled it open. “Parker!”
The same man who walked her into the office materialized.
“Show Stormy. . .” a subtle laugh rumbled from his throat, “Stormy Knight where she bunks and get her stored away.”
“Right away, Captain.” Parker grabbed her duffle from the floor and held the door open.
Knight seized her bag from his hand, “I don’t need you to carry my gear,” her voice firm. She paused at the door, turned and faced the captain. “Nothing to laugh at, sir, family name. But if you ask me, a curse.”
More than you know.
Demetrius’ skin had begun to boil as soon as Stormy walked into his office. It itched from inside out making him want to tear it away from his bones to scratch it. If he hadn’t been alpha he’d have had no control over the pull and would have changed at that very instant. No woman and he meant no woman had ever had that effect on him. Only the alpha to his alpha could pull the beast from him.
Stormy was his.
She disappeared behind the closed door. Father Kenny stepped out of the shadows, walked over to the chair and sat down. “She’s a tough one, not like the others.”
“This is what I was telling you. They weren’t … alpha.”
“You’re going to have to be careful. Take it easy. Slow.”
The Captain arched an eyebrow and shot him a confused look. Father Kenny placed his index finger under his eye and tugged on the lower lid. Good. Kenny hadn’t noticed the firmness stretching against the fabric of his pants. Heat flooded his body when Stormy entered the office. Demetrius felt his flesh rise as soon as a whiff of her scent fractured his shields in one quick stab and settled into his brain. He’d wanted to take her right then and there. Push everyone out of his office and lay her across his desk. Her strength was going to be trouble.
Demetrius drew in a deep breath, held it for a brief second and let it out slowly. “She has power.” He rubbed his temples. “Her aura stood the hairs on my arms.” He unconsciously stroked his hand down its length.
Father Kenny leaned in and lowered his voice. “Are you sure?”
“The dream torments her. It’s strong.” He closed his eyes and inhaled a lung full of air and captured the subtle scent that was Stormy.
“How much time do we have?”
“Eight full moons, maybe less.” The remnants of energy pricked its way down his back. A subtle frown he didn’t let hit his eyes tugged at the corners of his mouth. He didn’t like the way it settled in the pit of his stomach and twitched the muscles in his thighs and groin. He closed his eyes to consider the possibilities. “What do you think?”
Father Kenny laughed. It was light, almost a chuckle. “Like you said … it was time.”

Emma Awards

I am honored to be a finalist for an Emma Award. My book, Masquerade, is a finalist for Best Suspense and Book of the Year. Wow! I can't wait until I get to Romance Slam Jam. It is going to be a blast as readers and authors converge on Baltimore Maryland for what I know will be a fantastic Slam Jam. It will be a time to meet new friends and catch up with old. Good luck to all Emma Finalist. See you soon.

Happy New Year

Oh my goodness!!! the holiday season has come and gone. I was reminded today that I hadn't blogged in a bit so I figured I'd better get on it. But what can I say, life does that sometimes. My Christmas holiday was turned upside down and twisted right and left. First I had Grinchella on my back and she was hard to shake. I wasn't entirely sure why I felt so down. Usually the holidays find me bubbly and cheerful. I think it was because we really didn't decorate the house much at all. Our plans were to go to Chattanooga, TN and spend Christmas with hubby's sister. So why put up all of the lights and dazzle if you aren't going to be here... right? Well, the trip got canceled due to some unexpected car repairs and husband admitted he wasn't feeling well. The car we can deal with but the last thing you want is to end up sick in a foreign country. Opps, I did say Chattanooga. So now everything is toppled over. Did that mean I had to cook dinner. Darn. I tried the lets do something different and go out to dinner. He actually went for it. Too bad not a single restaurant was going to be open. I think it was a trick. The holiday turned out to be rather nice. My sister and I was summoned to the old neighborhood for a little get together on Christmas eve. Wow, that was fun. The old neighborhood looked the same. Are we really the only ones who changed, moved away. I think so. Our old house was still there, the elementry school and local corner store. Just thinking about it now almost brings nostalgic tears to my eyes. We had a good childhood. Yes we did. But what about the future. What does the new year bring? I stopped making resolutions a long time ago but I would like to put a few personal betterment ideas out there. I've got to get back into the exercise mode. I did really good last year when I was training for the 60 mile walk. I walked 6 days a week to train. I'm gonna get back in that mode. I've got to get back into the major author mode as well. Promo, write, promo and write some more. So it's out there for all to see and hear. I'M GONNA DO IT. What do you have on your agenda for 2011. Lets do it together.

Grinchella

Deep down I do believe that Santa Claus is not a menace to society as stated by the lawyers on Miracle on 34th St. But why am I in such a funk. I've watched Christmas show after Christmas show hoping to get in the mood. I've played the holiday CDs and watched the twinkling lights. But today has really gotten to me. I made the mistake of going to the mall. My intentions were there. Really they were. I wasn't even going for myself. Old Navy was having a sale and the scarves were only $1.00. So I had this thought. I was going to get fifty scarves and take them to the local homeless shelter. I knew it wasn't going to ever be enough but it was something. Of course they were all out. But what got me the most was the people. I didn't hear people laughing. I didn't see people smiling, just hustling and bustling and shoving. They wouldn't even let me out of the dang parking lot of the store. People blocking the entrance and not giving an inch. Geez. Can we like back it up a notch and have a do over. I've got to get out of this funk. My house isn't decorated the way it normally is. There are no Christmas smells of cookies and cake baking. There are no lights blinking and other than seeing Kyle from Living Single singing on a commercial for Marshalls and TJ Maxx I haven't gotten many laughs. And I broke a finger nail.

Battle of the Sexes

I'm not sure when it happened but it did. There has been a mixture of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Matrix and the Twilaght Zone. Over and over again the past couple of days I've encountered people who I had no idea what sex they were. Now, I don't mean sexual orientation, I mean, sex as in male-female, pe-we vs va-JJ. Twice today, once yesterday and I'm sue its happened before because if it hadn't it wouldn't have piqued my interest. People are beginning to look the same. There were no bumps on the chest to yell 'I'm a female.' There were not enough curves or they weren't flat enough to say 'I'm a guy,' either. The clothes are the same, jeans, basic shirts and jackets. No makeup, no facial expressions, no facial hair. The hair style was unisex as well and at least once the person spoke and the voice was flat and so monotone I honestly couldn't tell you. I'm married so I'm not looking, but how does one know who to approach and not get smacked or punched? What happens if you approach someone thinking you might be interested in them yet lo and behold its someone of the same sex and that was not what you were looking for. What do you do? Do you just say, "oh my bad," and call it a day. I don't know how this is going to affect my people watching and character sketches. I gather so much from just looking at people this is throwing me off. I'm afraid to ask, 'who are you and what pea pod did you hatch from but it may have to come to that.

Relationships

I've been hearing and reading a lot lately about relationships and what makes them work and how people can attach such qualifications onto what they want that they are blocking something good. I would have to agree. Now don't get me wrong. I recently read a question on FB that asked which would the woman prefer, a man who's good with his hands and can fix everything in the house, the car, the plumbing etc or a man who is good in bed. Why can't we have both. What's wrong with wanting a man who will be just as good in both places but even better and I think most would agree or I at least hope so, I believe we want a man who will treat us as equals not property. A man who will treat our hearts like his soul, charish it like platinum and gold. After all, who wants CZ when we can have diamonds. And it goes both ways, your king to my queen, right. We are not trying to wear the pants just because we might make more money. If your partner makes 60k and you make 49 doesn't that equate out to 109. It did where i went to school. Sometimes we forget the basics of happiness. I'm not sure if love conquers all but it certainly puts a dent in it, wouldn't you say. We recently had this same conversation at work because one of the nurses made the statement that she didn't like dark skinned black men. She couldn't tell us why. I told her to watch what she asked for, the light skinned man can be just as ugly as the next. I remember once, way back when I was single and had just broken up with someone after two and a half years. I prayed for an attentive man, because the one I'd had was more interested in sports and his buddies than with me. What I got was a stalker want-a-be. Another girlfriend only wanted a tall man. After all she was six feet tall. She ended up in a wheelchair. Now every man is taller. So, what I'm saying is, and I mean men and woman, we've got to stop putting labels on everything and look for the good, look beyond what you have on the must have list. That person might not be the tallest, the thinnest, the longest or best hair, but I bet if that person is who you are supposed to have it will be the best thing you've ever had. And hey, wouldn't you say if a man is good with his hands outside of the bedroom, he'd certainly be good with them inside the bedroom. We can only hope.

telemarketeers

Why is it so hard for businesses like Sears to not call my house on a Sunday after noon. Now today is the third Sunday in a row that these people have called my house to ask if we want to extend the warrenty on the washer and TV we purchased. What I would like to extend is my foot into a not so pleasant place but given its Sunday, I'm gonna be good. Now it would be one thing if I hadn't already told them three weeks ago to not call me on Sunday. But Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday have gone by and not a single phone call. Sunday again and here they go, ringing my house, desturbing my relaxing time. If I wanted to do business today, I'd be on the computer writing, editing or doing that dang synopsis I've been seriously procrastinating with. Maybe that's it. Sears thinks if it calls it will get me in the work mode and I'd do some. I don't think so. Thats just not gonna work today.