Exclusive Interview with Jericho Wolfe and Dominque Rue from St. Agnes (Whispers in the Dark)

Reporter: I’m here in St. Agnes with Jericho Wolfe and Dominique Rue. I’d heard so much about this small Eastern Shore town I had to visit. I must say I was impressed. The people are absolutely amazing. After much begging I finally convinced several of them to give me impromptu interviews about their life in this quaint little town. So let us begin. Reporter: “So tell me Jericho, how are things with you and Dominique?” (Jericho reached out and grasped Dominique’s hand and gave it a little squeeze.) Jericho: “We are good.” He chuckled softly, “No, not really, we are great.” Reporter: “Well, that’s just wonderful. Rumor has it that Dominique didn’t want anything to do with you. Is this true? How did you get her to change her mind?” (Dominique rolled her eyes toward the sky; however a slight smile curved the corner of her mouth.) Jericho: “It’s amazing what people can do with a mango.” (Dominique burst out laughing.) Reporter: “Did I miss something. What about you Dominique, when did you know he was the one?” (Dominique cleared her throat.) Dominique: “No, it was nothing. He was very persistent, that’s all and besides, who said I changed my mind. The jury might still be out.” Jericho: “You see what I have to put up with.” (He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. Her eyes widened in shock surprise.) Reporter: “I’ve been told St. Agnes was a quiet little town until you arrived. Can you elaborate?” (Dominique shook her head.) Dominique: “This town hasn’t changed one bit since I moved in. It’s still full of nosey busy bodies, Jericho included. It’s always been crazy.” Reporter: “Now correct me if I’m wrong. You were almost killed recently, correct?” (Dominique didn’t answer. Neither did Jericho which told me there was more to that story.) (Dominique glanced at her watch and then Jericho.) Reporter: Am I keeping you from something? (Jericho smiled and shook his head.) Dominique: “Yes, life.” Reporter: “Okay, sure. Just a one more question and I’ll be done. Jericho, I was told by my sources an old flame of yours recently sent you flowers in hopes of getting back together. How does a man handle that?” Jericho and Dominique in unison: “There’s nothing to handle.” (They glanced at each other and something in their eyes said there was more to that story.) Reporter: “Oh, I see. Well with that I’m going to leave you to do whatever it is you do in St. Agnes. Dominique can get back to her police officer duties and Jericho to his teaching at the college.” Want to know more about Jericho and Dominique’s story? Keep reading for a blurb for Whispers in the Dark. When your dreams become nightmares, there’s only one thing to do… run. Dominique’s hands and soul are stained with her partner’s blood. Riddled with guilt because she never admitted her true feelings for him to herself, she flees the nightmares and walks away from the police force and her past life. What she didn’t bargain for… Jericho Wolfe, the handsomely nosey next-door neighbor. He will stop at nothing to uncover her secrets and hide some of his own. Will his persuasiveness break down the wall she has built around her or add more mortar to the nightmares.

St. Agnes road trip. To go or not to go!

It's a definite go. There is no debating necessary. From the moment Jericho decided to return to the family home for the summer and going to the grocery store it was destined to happen. Dominique had no idea this man, this absolutely gorgeous man with the chocolate skin and locs cascading down his back, would be her undoing. Who knew what one can do with a simple thing as a mango. When traveling through St. Agnes one would find there are so many treasure. Many people pay tribute to the only libray in St. Agnes where you have to plan to spend some time between the book shelves. The owner, Kayla, decided a long time ago that she wouldn't have a traditional book store with everything in it's place. There is no rhyme or reason to how she places books on her shelves. Many of the St. Agnesians believe as she opens the packages, the books go into what ever slot is available. Many wonder if there is another reason. What do you think? St. Agnes doesn't have a hotel or even a motel for that fact. It's easy enough to find lodgings along highway 13 or cmaping cabins or sites, but sometimes people just want to get away from the hustle and bustle. But don't try to go Jakes cabin. The Chief and Jasmine might be there. After all, they do have some serious history there. Kayla has pondered the idea of opening a small bed and breakfast, however, she hasn't made up her mind. Now if you are looking for a great place to eat, you won't have to go far. Just ask Natalia or Marcus. Unless you are waiting for Dominique to cook you a meal. But then again, it was her cooking that saved her life, wasn't it? Make sure when visiting St. Agnes you spend some time at the lake. Many hours are spent either ice skating in the winter or nude romping in the summer. I can't tell you who's there now, it would spoil the surprise. People have asked what is the population of St. Agnes, but to tell you the truth. No one really knows except maybe Uncle Sam and some wonder if that's even accurate. People who visit St. Agnes tend to stay so pack heavy and come prepared to stay awhile. The people are great, the town is the best little town in American and you will fall in love with all of the occupants and history, hands down. Well at least all of them except the ex-girl friend of Jericho who attacked him with a butcher knife. Oops. Sorry. I promisd to never mention her again. But hey, never is such a strong word. Well, it's time to go. I heard they were going to have a free music concert at the town hall. Definitely don't want to miss that. Do you? Make sure you come back to visit on Tuesay, April 23. I heard Dominigue has aday off and Jericho is in town. Maybe we can grab them for an impromptu interview. Hopefully with some prodding we can get the truth behind Dominique and Jericho. Is it really Dominique's fault, St. Agnes is rocking because of her arrival. And don't forget, leave a comment while on the road trip to St. Agnes blog or comment or like on my face book page and you might just win one of the many weekly prizes. See you soon. I think I hear music.

Pack your bags! We are going on a road trip!

Every once in a while a writer gets an idea that sends them to a place they never thought they would go. Mine was writing a series. I had only written single titles and I can't even say I was fond of even reading series so I knew I wasn't going to write one. Finding an author I liked and knowing I had to start from the beginning turned me off, especially if I'd just found this author at book ten. However once I realized in some series the books also stand alone as single titles but has a common denominator, I was elated. Still, I wasn't going to write one. When readers and other authors pushed me beyond my comfort zone and asked for more after they'd read Whispers in the Dark it started the birth of my St. Agnes series. Whispers in the Dark started out as a single title, however, once the book was birthed the characters and readers screamed for more. Everyone fell in love with the town of St. Agnes. I even had a reader contact me to tell me she and her sister spent an entire day on the Eastern Shore of Virginia looking for it. She was really disappointed when I told her St. Agnes is a fictious town. However, you can find a piece of it in many of the small towns from north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to the Maryland state line. Not only did they fall you love with Dominique and Jericho they fell in love with St. Agnes' Chief of Police, Hunter Roberts. He was supposed to be a strong secondary character, a walk on character you might say that was going to give Dominique a run for her money. The crazy thing is, he didn't have a story. Readers emailed me from as far away as California and Canada asking about his story. Wow! He didn't have one! What was I to do? Well, as my story goes, one week I was sick with a chest and head cold and one night on my pseudophed, Nyquil, Mucinex high I dreamt of Chief Hunter Roberts story, Vision in the Dark in it's entirety and the concept and titles of four other stories from St. Agnes. St. Agnes was born! Book two, Visions in the Dark is Chief Roberts' story and book three involves Jericho's best friend, Marcus, St. Agnes' newpaper editor. St. Agnes is, or should I say was a quaint little town on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Rumor has it after Dominique Rue showed up things just started to pop. She might debate that because Chief Roberts has a dark past of his own. I'm not sure if Dominique is the cause, however there is some truth behind the reasoning. Attempted murders, kidnappings and bullets ripping through flesh. Who's to say. Well I hope you travel to St. Agnes as you read my series and stay awhile. There's so much more in store for you. We will travel to St. Agnes every Tuesday and Friday for the next month. Make sure you save the date and come back on Friday, April 19 and learn a little more about St. Agnes. You might be surprised and you might learn something new, meet someone new. I will have prizes each week. Yeah! Who doesn't love prizes? write a comment on my blog on on face book about he blog and you will win a chance to win a prize. Follow my blog and win another chance. Answer a periodic question about St. Agnes and win another chance. Wow! There will be so many chances to win. I can't wait. See you soon.

Road Trip

I certainly hope everyone loves a good road trip. I know I do. I've decided to take a trip back to that small town on the Eastern shore of Virginia...St. Agnes. This town has grown from that tiny little town along highway Route 13in Virgina, north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. No one knows the exact population, however, they do know the people are loving and compassionate and yes a little mysterious. If you are running away from your demons, St. Agnes might be the place for you. If you are running away from your future, yes, move on over to St. Agnes. You'd be surprised the things that happen in this tiny town. From Doninique Rue hunting down the killer of her police , in Whispers in the Dark to Chief Hunter Roberts almost dying in his quest to save Jasmine in Visions in the Darl, my St. Agnes series is the place for you. And I can't forget the ordeal of Marcus running for his life in Lost in the Dark. Save the date. I will kick out my little road trip April 16. So make sure you come back and get a taste of St. Agnes.

Fly hat and other things

Well, well, well. I wish we could turn back the time so I could figure out where it went, who took it and why. I can't believe it's already March 2013. Life has been over whelming to say the least. But that's okay. If we didn't have it... think about the alternative. My year started kind of bitter sweet. One of my major publishers, Tease, closed their doors in February. I was really bummed. They were great but I understand sometimes we have to move on to other things. Again, life. However, other doors have opened. I've got some really great things going on this year. I just released book three to my St. Agnes series. Lost in the Dark. I'm working on another single title that takes place in New Orleans. Right now it doesn't have a title so I'm calling it The Big Easy. I know, funny, especially since it's a romantic suspense and that title is not going to do it. I'm pretty sure a title will come to me. Maybe I'll have a contest to get one. Today is also the Hot M.A.M.A Fly Hat Luncheon in North Carolina. I was so wanting to attend. I even had my hat picked out. My sister said she thought I was going to get something a little more exciting, a little more fly. I'm thinking it would have been perfect since the last time I wore any type of fancy hat was about thirty years ago. I know, that's kind of sad too. What's a girl to do? My hats consist of base ball caps or something along that line. Well, I'm wishing my fellow authors and the writers who attended today a great time. And for the winners of my raffle... drum roll please. The wining raffle ticket numbers: 1278471 and 178477. To redeem your prize please email me at contestwithdenisejeffries@hotmail.com or though my web site. Please email me your snail mail address and attach a copy of your winning ticket. Good luck!......................................................... LOST IN THE DARK St. Agnes series You don’t have to hide in the dark if you’re already lost. Always ready to write that breakout article, journalist, Marcus Reed stopped at nothing to ‘get it done’… until now. Now, he’s awake and running for his life. Having awakened in a strange city, covered in dirt, grime and blood, not his own, the only thing he can do is seek help from the most unlikely source. The last thing Natalia Lucas needed was for this strange man to wander into her police precinct. Nonetheless, there’s something about him that has piqued her interest. His eyes tell her there’s more beyond the dirt and confusion… the amnesia, especially since he’s supposed to be dead, having been killed two weeks prior when his car blew up. Having vowed to help, they set out on a trek of constant danger. Natalia has secrets of her own and she does not want them uncovered. That fear alone could destroy the woman she’s worked so hard to become. When it’s discovered Marcus is still alive, whoever killed him will do anything to complete the task even if it means killing them both. Knowing breaking this case could put her on the map, she’s determined to put light where there was darkness. Bound by a common goal of finding the truth, they will do everything in their power to ignore the attraction that has ignited between them. As danger builds, will the passion between two ill fitted people be enough to save them or will the darkness they uncover destroy them both.

Any Season Chicken Salad

We were talking about chicken salad at work yesterday and it got me thinking, I make the best chicken salad in the whole wide world. After all the talk it got me hunkering for some so I made it today. Now I'm begging my hubby to save me some. He's on his second trip to the frig as I speak. I should have made double because now I remember the last time I made it people were fighting over the last bit. So to keep the peace in the land, here's the recipe and take my word for it, if there are more than two of you, make double. You won't be sorry. ANY SEASON CHICKEN SALAD 1 whole rotisserie chicken. (I’m especially partial to Sam’s Club but have used others like Farm Fresh’s Culinary Circle Rosemary Garlic.) Skinned, deboned and coarsely chopped. ½ Granny smith apple, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped. 2-3 Tbs Miracle Whip. 1Tbs mayo. 2 Tbs sweet relish. ½ c chopped walnuts (may add more if you like). 1 celery stalk, sliced length wise and coarsely chopped. 1/4 c onion finely chopped (optional). Ground black pepper to taste. Mixed ingredients and enjoy. The key to this fantastic chicken salad is the rotisserie chicken because the seasonings are cook through and through and by chopping the ingredients coarsely you get all of the other flavors. You may also substitute cranberries or grapes for apples if you like or use some of each. This chicken salad is great for sandwiches, on a bed of lettuce or with a nice garden salad. Even a nice cracker will do. Bon appétit.

Retribution, an ecerpt

RETRIBUTION

“What the hell!” Denver blinked back to reality but not fast enough before Mr. John Doe’s hand shot up and clamped around her throat. So much for the coma. Instinctively her fingers curled around his wrist, tightened, but she didn’t exert any pressure. Confusion and fear lit his eyes, shining like the full moon, or was it anger. It shimmered across her skin like a blast of cold windy air when someone opens a door in the dead of winter. She stared back as she patted the back of his hand. Energy sizzled through her fingers and up her arm. She forced herself to not snatch her hand back, but continued to caress his skin. “Where?” His voice sounded dry and strained. He tightened his grip as he sucked in a breath of air. “Are they?” Throwing his legs over the side of the bed, he stood and back walked her to the wall. “Not here.” Denver tried to soothe but it didn’t work. His hand squeezed tighter, cutting off what little air she reserved in her lungs. Okay, now would be a good time to get this man off me. “Listen buddy,” Denver coughed, “It’s all right. Nobody here’s going to hurt you. Let me go.” “Why?” His voice sounded stronger than it did a second ago. She could make him, would make him in another second if he didn’t release her. Denver curled her lips up into an ominous snarl and grunted a laugh. Being mindful of his injuries, yet ignoring his grunt of pain, she pivoted. Her body changed positions so fast in the blink of an eye she had released his hand from her neck, pinned him against the wall and had her face an inch from his. “Because--” she knew her eyes flared red, then instantly went back to brown just as she curled back her lips to show the points of her fangs descending from her gums. “--I said so.” “Aw hell.” His voice slurred. “You’re one of--” The muffled grunt escaping his throat hurt as much as the pain riddling through every bone and muscle. Not being able to hold his weight any longer, he went down on one knee, almost dragging the woman to the floor with him. “Hang on.” She grasped his arm and slung it across her shoulder, hefted him up and walked him back to the bed. Propping him against the side, she cursed just as lights exploded inside his head. He felt his eyes roll to the back of his head and once again had no control over the darkness as it overtook him. Reed let the thunderous clouds close in on him. He was too tired, in too much pain and too sick to care. Not sure where he was, what was going on or who the woman was standing guard over him, he drifted on a wave of nothingness. Her voice floated above him like a summer’s breeze. Although he couldn’t grab it he knew it was there. In more ways than one, he considered her voice an anchor. It kept him from plummeting too far into the darkness. It was what he heard before he grabbed on to it and allowed it to pull him out of the void he’d been trapped in for too long. Every day his body waited for her to enter his room. He didn’t care what time. Hell, time meant nothing to him. All he knew was it was the sweetest thing he’d ever heard. Warm. Soothing. Arousing. She’d talked to his body as if he knew her, but he didn’t. He didn’t know anyone. Not in this town wherever it-- he was. The trail of the serial killer he’d been following was almost cold until an anonymous tip brought him to the town. . He thought it was one person until he’d stumbled on their hideout. Four men of various sizes and age sat around a beat up television, plotting out their next kill. They had already killed his brother, claiming they were cleansing the earth of vermin. He was next on the list. They knew who he was and probably where he was. His only hope of survival was to kill them before they killed him or anyone else like him. Thoughts of bringing them in for justice were long dead. That was one road he’d never travel on again. Justice and fairness meant nothing to these people. They wanted to cleanse the earth. He was going to help them. Denver. Yes, she’d introduced herself to his unconscious self on the first day and he’d not forgotten her name. Denver, like the town in Colorado, she’d said with a chuckle. She wiped a blessedly cool cloth across his forehead. She always knew what to do. The warm caress of her fingers across his skin, on more than one occasion, made his mind sizzle. The pain riddling his body was from more than his injuries. From the first time she’d touched him, he’s wanted to make her his own, brand his being into her soul but he could never reach out. And now, now he’d done nothing more than try to break her neck. Thankfully he was unsuccessful. “Open your eyes, John.” Her voice slid through his mind, making his heartbeat slow in response. “Reed.” He didn’t move. Couldn’t if he wanted to because of the pain it was best to lay still. “My name’s Reed.” “You got a last name… Reed?” He didn’t answer. Denver didn’t press the subject. “How are you feeling, Reed?” She asked without missing a beat. “Like I’ve been hit by a Mack truck.” “You probably have.” Her hand continued to caress the side of his face. Slowly he opened one eye then the other and stared up into her face. Damn, she was beautiful. Like an angel descended from the heavens to pull him back. Sucking in a ragged breath of air that hurt more than he thought it would, he pushed up. “Whoa! Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Her hand cupped his shoulders and with a gentle tug pushed him back to the bed. “Shit.” On a better day, she wouldn’t have been able to do that, he told himself as his body descended back to the mattress. “I’ve got to get out of here. They’ll be here soon.” “Who are they, Joh—Reed?” “Them. The ones…” His voice slurred off when he moaned. “The ones who tried to kill me.” “Nobody’s going to try to kill you.” Denver turned away from the bed and lifted a syringe from the table. “You need to get some rest.” “No.” Before he could breathe another protest, she swiped the portal to the IV sticking out of his arm and injected the medicine. “Go to sleep, Reed. Its oh-two-hundred dark. You’ll feel better in the morning.” “Doubt that. He didn’t finish the sentence. The gray pressing into his mind gave way to the darkness. “I’ve got to get out of…”