It’s the third Monday of the month and that means……

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published
books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t
have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to
share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday
site! or click on the banner above.

This month I’m sharing another small snipit from my first WIP the Rose and the Lion. Enjoy.

***

Most appearances could be deceptive, but not in the case of the crumbling stone façade that clung to a thicket of trees. A faded wooden sign, half-hanging from the eaves, swayed precariously in the wind. Nothing more than a decrepit taproom with space above for travelers to rest, the Old Lighttoller Inn happened to be the only stop south of Hamburg’s well-guarded city walls. According to Iain’s informant, the innkeeper was a pathetic drunk who let his wife run the establishment.

Iain preferred to find more comfortable lodgings within the city. But the need for a safe and central base of operations negated his immediate desires. This mission required the utmost discretion and far less distractions than Hamburg amply provided. Scanning the inn-yard with a raised eyebrow, he hoped to spend not more than a night or two within its walls.

As they guided their horses toward stable, Duncan pulled short the reigns. An animated scene unfolded before the front door, some domestic squabble between innkeeper, wife and a second male and female. The other man’s stature, square yet leaning, bespoke his occupation as a seaman even without the naval uniform. His tone was sharp yet pleading. The young woman at the center of the heated debate was, in one word, bedraggled. The girl captured and held Iain’s gaze long after he would have turned with disinterest. Her red hair whipped across her face in the gathering wind. She looked worse for wear, Iain thought, and was instantly reminded of the poorer womenfolk of Scotland. Her gown clung in tatters to a shapely frame, and even in the distance, Iain could see dirt smudges and purplish bruises on her exposed neck streaking down her exposed cleavage. Imagines of exactly how they came to be there stirred a well kept dragon of rage.

Her gaze focused over the heads of the arguing innkeeper and his wife. She remained aloof through the entire episode. She was either struck dumb, or more likely, Iain surmised, foreign nobility.

Duncan dropped the horses’ reigns and allowed the beasts to find their natural course. As they came closer, the discussion as to the validity of the girl’s lineage and whether she could pay for several days’ lodging became louder. The sailor was emphatic with his sister about allowing the girl to stay until arrangements could be made to send her back to England. Iain pressed his lips together, hiding his victory smile. He’d wagered with himself she was English, and won.

****

“Links to other Excerpt Monday writers

Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and
be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.

It’s the third Monday of the month and that means……

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published
books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t
have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to
share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday
site! or click on the banner above.

Okay there seems to be a slight confusion as to where the July post is on the EM page so I found it in archives and thought I would post the link here – http://excerptmonday.wordpress.com/2010/07/

This month I decided to change things up. No Young Adult Paranormal. Instead this is an excerpt from my Historical Romance titled The Rose and the Lion. It’s a back shelf story, and the first one I ever seriously wrote. Enjoy.

“There is more at play than you can even fathom, MacGregor. Your scope is too narrow.” Lendl laughed.

Elisabeth’s gaze froze as if she found the sound familiar.

Shouts of alarm echoed off the corridor walls as racing footsteps pounded and retreated against the flagstone. MacGregor and Lendl stood poised for attack but remained motionless, listening for movement outside the dead Emissary’s suites.

Blood slammed through Iain’s veins. Elisabeth was caught between them and was within a mere hand’s grasp of Lendl. Iain quickly analyzed all possible strategies, quelling the panic to the back of his mind.

As the voices faded, Lendl grabbed Elisabeth and jerked her in front of him. Her head thudded against his shoulder. A silver dagger glinted in the moonlight. The spy pushed the blade against the soft underside of her chin. Lendl backed toward the window, dragging her with him. MacGregor followed inch by careful inch.

Lendl twisted the blade, and she let out a small yelp, causing the deadly point to break the skin. Fear tried to sweep back through Iain’s senses. A warm trickle slid down her throat. Rage boiled in the Scotsman’s stomach. MacGregor changed his stance and lowered, ready to spring and pounce.

“Stay back,” Lendl spat.

He butted against the window, and with his free hand, he unlatched the sash, pushing wide the casement.

“Let her go. This is between you and I. You will not leave the castle alive with her”

“Of that I had no intentions.” Lendl smiled wickedly.

He lowered his hand, and Elisabeth darted for freedom. He lifted a boot and shoved her hard into Iain.

The Scotsman dropped his rapier as she stumbled into his arms. They tumbled into a chair. Lendl pummeled over the casement ledge with one hand and dropped out of sight. MacGregor pulled her up and planted her to the side as he darted to the window.  He slammed his fist on the ledge.

“Bloody bastard is gone.”

Elisabeth gently fingered the scrape under her neck. Iain offered a handkerchief but she slapped away his hand. “You lied to me.”

The corridor hummed with activity as voices carried louder, and the cries of alarm became more distinct.

“I wish I had time to fully explain,” Iain said.

“You are a spy and a murderer. I need no further explanation.” Heat crept up her neck and spread across her face in a crimson stain, hiding her freckles.

“Aye, perhaps, but I did not kill the Frenchman.” Iain scooped up his rapier and slid the blade into the sheath with a singing hiss.

At the moment, he didn’t care what the English lass thought he had or had not done. A pain squirmed in his stomach. He did care that he might not see her again.

“I was foolish to ever trust you,” Elisabeth said, her fingers wrapped around her throat.

Before he could answer, the sound of a large squad of guards halted on the other side of the door. It wouldn’t take them long to break it down. Iain swung one leg over the ledge.

“Where are you going?” She demanded.

“I’ve outstayed my welcome, lassie.”

With one hand braced against the window casement, he coiled the other around Elisabeth’s arm and dragged her to him. She protested with pounding fists against his chest. He just held her more firmly, silencing her with his feverish kiss. His lips pressed roughly against hers, forcing her to sigh. He thrust his tongue deep within her mouth. The sensation weakened his spine and melted the back of his knees. She pushed away and tried to slap him. He leaned outward and held the frame to prevent falling. A laugh burst, sweet and coarse, from the deep hollow of his chest.

“I offer you safe passage back to England, Elisabeth, but we must leave now.” Iain reached out his hand.

“I would rather see you swing from the gibbet.” She stepped away as if she expected him to force her.

The thought not only tickled the back of his mind, but settled some place quite a bit lower. Unfortunately, he was not in the habit of kidnapping.

***

****

“Links to other Excerpt Monday writers

Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and
be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.

WELCOME to those coming back and those who are new! We hope you find some fun and fabulous free reads.

Don’t forget to come back for the first Monday of August for New Release Monday. See what’s coming out and enter to win a free basket of New Releases.

As always, your hostesses Bria Quinlan (PG13) , Alexia Reed (R), Rachel Jameson (PG13) and Kendal Ashby (R) thank you for stopping by!

Joining us this week:

Jaleta Clegg, Science Fiction (PG 13)
Penny Dune, Romantic Suspense (PG 13)
Kaige, Historical Romance (PG 13)
Debbie Mumford, Contemporary YA Fantasy (PG 13)
Jeannie Lin, Historical (PG 13)
Jeanette Murray, Contemporary Romance (PG 13)
Dara Young, Steampunk (PG 13)
Ryan, Mystery (PG 13)

Kendal Ashby, Contemporary Romance (R)
Stephanie Draven, Paranormal Romance (R)
Lauren Fraser, (R)
Cate Hart, Historical Romance (R)
KJ Reed, Erotic Romance (R)
Ali Katz, Contemporary M/M (R)
Cherrie Lynn, Paranormal Romance (R)

Sara Brookes, Urban Fantasy Romance (NC 17)
Carly Carson, Futuristic (NC 17)
Lisa Fox, Paranormal/erotic romance (NC 17)
Bryl R. Tyne, Contemporary M/M/M (NC 17)

Well, as I get closer and closer to publication, I realized that I needed to do some trimming. I love participating in Excerpt Monday, but so much that I post is from selections that I eventually plan to develop. So I’ve trimmed some of those posts to smaller snippets. Of course since the stories are still in progress, what you see here is rough draft and will change. So enjoy.

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published
books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t
have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to
share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday
site! or click on the banner above.

April’s excerpt is from a WIP that I started a few years ago. It started as a paranormal adult romance, but recently, it’s turned into a YA paranormal.  I hope you  enjoy it.

*****

          Callie never believed in magic.

          Even as a child, she lived and breathed the cold, hard facts of science. Her philosophy was if she could touch, taste, see or feel it then it was real to her. She didn’t deal in the abstract of art and literature, but the objective and theoretical of science. Under any normal circumstance, she would have never agreed to be subjected to the flights of fancy her best friend Mattie was prone to. But the circumstances were out of the ordinary. Callie just caught Alec, her super-hot captain of the baseball team boyfriend, cheating on her. Mattie had insisted on girls’ night complete with a sneak trip to her mother’s liquor cabinet.

          A box of half-eaten pizza, provided by June, littered the dining room table, forgotten for the moment. They had moved to the living room to dance wildly to Lady Gaga and steal more nips of the Grand Marnier.

          Callie flounced in an overstuffed leather chair. She’d picked at her food and took larger sips of the nostril burning liqueur. Tonight, her heart wasn’t in the fun, and the way she felt, it might not ever be again. Hanging out was supposed to take her mind off Alec; it only perpetuated her misery. She couldn’t bring herself to tell Mattie what she had discovered Friday night. She knew if she mentioned catching Alec in bed with Lizzie during the Halloween party, well, the focus of discussion would be about poor Callie. She kept the information to herself, and it had festered all weekend long, putting a damper on her spirits. Not that they weren’t all ready soggy with heartache.

          The front door burst open, and Harriet Kildare blustered in, carried on the whipping wind. The door banged several times as Mattie attempted to shut it. Harriet reminded Callie of Dorothy in the middle of a tornado, and she stifled a grin. Harriet wore glasses and her hair pulled in ponytail, making the sixteen year old look more than fifty years older and constantly frazzled. Tonight, her hair was at extreme odds and had managed to capture a few twigs and leaves. June rushed over and took Harriet’s fuzzy red scarf and old army jacket. Harriet was the epitome of eclectic. She even talked sometimes like she was a fifty year old woman. Callie gave a weak smile and then returned to the pages of the magazine she flipped.

            “What took you so long?”  Mattie asked as she took Harriet’s coat and threw it over the arm of the sofa.

            “Have you eaten? There’s still plenty of pizza left.”  June scrunched her face at the site of the cold pepperoni and cheese. 

            “I’ve no time to eat. And this is what took so long.”  Harriet pulled an ancient, leather bound volume from the knapsack slung across her chest.

            “What is that?”

            Intrigued, Callie sat up. The silver embossing that slithered across the book flashed in her eyes. She had never seen such artistry, and the way the silver caught the light made it appear like mercury slipped across the binding.

            Harriet beamed with pride. “What girl’s night would be complete without this!”

            “But what is it?” June stood over Harriet’s shoulder and tried to read. “What kind of writing is that? I’m only in third year French, and that’s not French.”

            Harriet snapped the book closed and a poof a dust escaped.  She stepped away from the other two girls and stood before the fire as it cast an eerie glow.

            “Not yet, my deary. First we must prepare the room for what I have planned.”

****

“Links to other Excerpt Monday writers

Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and
be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.

What’s on my iPod : Crash and Burn by Lifehouse

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.

It’s hard to believe it, but I began participating in EM a year ago. I’ve only missed once – last month. So here is this month’s post. It’s something I’ve been toying with, so it is in rough draft. But this is the opening sequence to FLIRTING WITH HEAVEN. It’s more of an adult paranormal romance. Enjoy.

          Lightning flashed, followed by the distant rumble of thunder. Two male voices erupted, embroiled in battle.

          “You should have stayed hidden, Ezekiel,” a male voice hissed.

          Lightning sparked a second time, glinting off the cruel edge of the blade held in mid-air.

          “I’ll protect Sam with my dying breath, Uriel. I’m not afraid of meeting my creator. Not sure you can say the same, daemon.”

          Thunder shook the ground, and the first male voice laughed. “If you kill me, Zeke, you’ll never find Samantha.”

          “What have you done with…damn it, the boom mic is in my shot!”

          Instantly, floodlights flickered on the sound stage. Keely Jamison rubbed her eyes as they readjusted from the darkness. The shoot had been going so well. Of course, it was only a matter of time before a tantrum erupted. She checked her watch – four hours this stretch. There wasn’t much she could do as head script writer for the pilot production of Flirting with Heaven. But she kept trying to appease everyone because this was her baby, a television program based on her best-selling novel.

          Beside her, Jess McCain, director extraordinaire, scanned back through the footage to double check the shot. Sure enough, the boom mic surreptitiously lowered into the top right corner of the screen. Keely cursed under her breath. The scene had been perfect this time – the fourteenth take. But now it was ruined. She almost sympathized with the “terrible tyrant” Trayson.

          After he dropped the sword and nearly impaled guest actor, Michael Jenners, Trayson spun into a spoiled actor’s tirade and verbally attacked he fifty year old veteran sound man responsible for the slip. She hardly blamed either one of them; they’d been on set shooting since six am.

          Jess got up and pushed his way into the circle forming around Trayson. The thirty-something director maintained a cool, levelheaded approach to his actors and the crew. And they respected him for it. But Trayson’s temper-tantrums had managed to see five seasoned film crew members walk off set already. With a sigh, she rose out of the canvas backed chair to stretch her legs. Keely slipped toward the catering table to get a cup of coffee for Jess and bottled water for the hot head.

           “Mocha latte?”

          Keely jumped at the sound of Zach’s voice and almost spilled Jess’s coffee all over the table and herself. She glared up at the dark haired assistant director. It wasn’t the first time he’d snuck up on her out of the blue. But his sweet smile melted her brewing distemper.

           “It looks like another long night,” he added, tilting head toward the crowd tightening around Trayson, Jess and the techie.

           She nodded and turned her attention back to the coffee and the water bottle.

          “Maybe, I should just f**king break my contract and quit this damn production,” Trayson’s gravelly voice boomed, “if you people can’t give me any respect to perform my craft and keep god-damn boom mics out of my face…”

          Trayson pushed through the men like parting the Dead Sea.

          “Not very angel-like,” Zach said.

          “I whole-heartedly agree with you.” Michael stepped over to the table and grabbed a water bottle.

          Keely sighed and gave them both a weak smile. “Damage control,” she said and walked for the stage door.

          She slipped through the partial opening in the rolling bay door and flitted past half a dozen actors on the back lot. It was close to seven now, and everyone was exhausted, especially Keely. But it was only the fifth day of shooting the pilot episode, and they were green-lighted to shoot six more episodes. That is if they could get this fast approaching train wreck back on schedule.

          The silver Star-line trailer rocked on its foundation wheels, and she heard a few loud curses. She hesitated before knocking, steeling her nerves and her pounding heart. Keely wasn’t afraid of the tantrum throwing actor. It was the exact opposite, she was crushing on him. Unfortunately, he was aware of it.

          “Trayson, can I come in?”

~~~

Don’t forget to come back on the first Monday of April for New Release Monday. See what’s coming out and enter to win a free basket of New Releases.

So, to kick it off, your hosts:

Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG13)
and
Alexia Reed, Urban Fantasy (R)

Joining us this week:

Leslie Dicken, Historical (PG 13)
Victoria Dixon, Fantasy (PG 13)
Jeannie Lin, Contemporary romantic elements (PG 13)
Shawntelle Madison, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)
Debbie Mumford, SFF (PG 13)

KB Alan, Erotic Paranormal Romance (R)
Stephanie Draven, Fantasy with romantic elements (R)
Cate Hart, Paranormal YA (R)
Jeanne St. James, Interracial Menage (R)
Ali Katz, Historical (R)
Danielle Yockman, Steampunk (R)

Sara Brookes, Contemporary Romance (NC 17)
Christa Paige, ContemporaryRomance (NC 17)
Mary Quast, Contemporary Romance (NC 17)

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published
books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t
have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to
share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday
site! or click on the banner above.

What’s on my iPod : Blue Monday by New Order

It’s the third Monday in January, and you know what that means….Excerpt Monday!!

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.

I thought I would continue with last months excerpt…so here’s more of Caleb and Sarah from the second book in the BROKEN series, RENEGADE.

          I just nodded open-mouthed as his shoulders twitched and the two snowy, white wings trembled in the silent forest. He scooped me up with a devilish smile.

          “You’re not saying anything?” he questioned as his blue eyes danced in the light.

          I grimaced. “What do you want me to say? You know I don’t like it when you use your powers? Is that what you’re looking for?”

          His laughter reverberated off the trees, and a patch of snow slipped from the closest pine branch and plopped at his feet. Before I could raise a stronger protest, we lifted off the ground and sailed through the trees. Seconds later, a pond the size of Madison Square Gardens shimmered through the tree branches, and we landed at the edge.

          Az and Rade sat on a fallen log, along the shore, and put on skates. They both looked up at our approach.

          Gaelin perched on the edge, and his sneaker clad foot tapped the ice. “The water’s not completely frozen.”

          Caleb lowered me on the log beside Rade, who elbowed me a little too hard. Then Caleb leaned down, his jet-black hair dangling over his eyes, and placed the duffel bag at my feet.

          “Well do your thing,” he said to Gaelin.

          I focused on Gaelin as he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. My mouth naturally dropped as he blew over the water. All across the pond, the water sizzled and cracked, freezing all the way through to the bottom.

          Caleb’s head snapped up. “Can you skate?”

          My eyes floated back to his. “Yes, but I’ve never played hockey before.”

          He chuckled, pulling out a smaller pair of skates. “If you can stand up in ice skates, then you can play hockey.”

          “Doesn’t it require pushing a little black thing across the ice?”

          At the age of ten, my mother enrolled me in ice skating lessons. I took them for two years before dropping that for art classes. I could do a mean pirouette on the ice, but as for shooting a puck into a goal, that was a different story.

          “Since when do angels play hockey?” I narrowed my eyes at Caleb.

          As Rade skated across the ice, he called out over his shoulder, “Since Wayne Gretzky!”

          I laughed. “Hmm, I see. I think you guys have too much time on your hands.”

          “We have to do something to keep out of trouble,” Az said pulling on the long laces.

          “Trouble?”  I slipped my foot into the skate, twisting the laces around my fist and yanking hard.

           “We’re fallen, Sarah,” Gaelin replied as he stood and wobbled for the ice. “We have the tendency to make mischief. Caleb keeps our souls out of trouble.”

          I glanced at Caleb. “Your idea?”

          He bobbed his head with a half cocked grin. “Somebody’s got to keep their noses clean.”

          “And angel hockey’s how you do it? That and the band, I take it?”

          “Yep.”  He finished tying his skates and jumped for the ice.

          I shook my head, hiding a smile. I pulled on the other skate and began the tightening ritual over again. When I stood, I immediately stumbled because of the soft ground. Caleb skated back to the edge of the pond and extended his hand. I took it and stepped onto the ice. Gliding across the frozen pond happened to be the most wonderful sensation - like flying with frigid air blowing across your face and between your fingers, legs and arms. It’d been a long time since I skated, but after a few unsteady bobbles, I got my confidence and swirled around and whipped backwards a few times.

***

This month’s links:

Don’t forget to come back on the first Monday of February for New Release Monday.  See what’s coming out and enter to win a free basket of New Releases.

So, to kick it off, your hosts:

Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG13)

and

Alexia Reed, Urban Fantasy (R)

Joining us this week:

Stephanie Draven, Fantasy with Romantic Elements (PG 13)
Danie Ford, Contemporary YA (PG 13)
Babette James, Contemporary Romance (PG 13)
Cynthia Justlin, Thriller with Romantic Elements (PG 13)
Kaige, Historical Romance (PG 13)
Jeannie Lin, Contemporary Romantic Elements (PG 13)
R. F. Long, Fantasy Romance (PG13)
Shawntelle Madsion, Paranormal Romance (PG13)
Debbie Mumford, Science Fiction/ Fantasy (PG13)

Kendal Corbitt, Erotica Contemporary (R)
KB Alan, Erotic Paranormal Romance (R)
Jeanne St. James, Interracial Menage Erotic Romance (R)
Cherrie Lynn, Contemporary Erotic Romance (R)
Michelle Picard, Paranormal/Fantasy (R)
Mary Quast, Contemporary Romance (R)
Danielle Yockman, Historical Romance (R)

Sara Brookes, Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy (NC17)
Angeleque Ford, Contemporary, Interracial, Erotic Romance (NC 17)
Elise Logan, Contemporary Romance (NC17)

What’s on my iPod – Curse of the Black Pearl from Pirates of the Caribbean Soundtrack

 
Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate–just an writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.

Today is my favorite day of the month! It’s Excerpt Monday again. I can’t believe that is number 8 for me. For this month’s excerpt, I thought I might put up part of a scene from the second book in the BROKEN series called RENEGADE. This is still a work in progress.

          “Where are we going?” I asked as bubbles of giddiness popped in my stomach.

           He paused on the other line, but I could hear the smile. “Surprise, but dress warm.”

           “Okay.” I didn’t press him further because I knew he wouldn’t give in anyway.

          I rummaged through my closet, having even less warm clothes than I did summer outfits. What I did have was layers, and that’s the best I could do to dress warmly.

          The SLK whipped into Pembry’s fire lane promptly at nine am Saturday morning. The dorm and surrounding campus still slumbered in alcohol induced hangovers, study crazed lethargy and just plain too friggin’ early laziness. I pushed on the double doors when the Mercedes glided to a stop. He stepped out dressed in a black Under Armor long sleeve shirt and a thick Northface jacket. Unzipped and hanging open despite the freezing temperature, it wasn’t like he needed any of it anyway. The sun crested on the horizon, and though it would be bright, it would provide little warmth. When he noticed my multi-layers of long sleeve shirts under the pea-coat, he laughed at my bundled state of immobility as he opened the door for me.

           “So, where are we going?” I asked again.

            The ignition purred to life, emitting a wave of white smoke behind, and he put the car in drive.

           He looked over with a sparkle to his sapphire blue eyes. “One of my favorite places to go when it gets cold.”

          “That doesn’t help,” I said. He was definitely tight lipped about this surprise.

           We drove through Wenham and hit the highway north toward the forest and state park. Snowfall still covered the park’s one lane road, and Caleb was forced to slow his speed to a crawl. He twisted his hands on the steering wheel, agitated. Despite his excellent driving, the German performance sports car slid every now and then. He turned off the main drive, and we continued a few more yards until Az’s Range Rover appeared through the snow laced pines. He pulled the Mercedes into the shadow of the bulky SUV and killed the motor. He raced around to open my door before my hand even brushed the handle. Sometimes, I loved that he did that, and sometimes, I felt more independent and wanted to open my own door. He just smirked, and I covered my face with my hands. Did he always have to know what I was feeling?

              From the trunk, Caleb yanked out a large black canvas duffel bag and slung it over his shoulder. His hand reached in and pulled out two sticks – hockey stick – then handed them to me.

             “You carry these. We walk from here.”

            I shrugged and followed him to the tree line and inch thick snow covered trail. Footprints already stamped out a path, and I attempted to stay in the packed snow so my feet didn’t get wet and freeze.

           Disappearing into the cover of pines and maples, we walked a good mile before the tracks in the snow stopped. He dropped the bag and proceeded to remove his jacket and shirt. My breath caught in my throat at the sudden exposure of that lean taught chest. I’d seen it before, but glistening in the filtered sunlight, the sight sent ripples of electricity through me. With a wicked grin, he draped the coat over my shoulders and placed the shirt in my hand.

           “We fly from here.”

~~~

So, to kick it off, your hosts:

Alexia Reed, Urban Fantasy (R)

and

Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG13)

Joining us this week:

Danie Ford, Womens Fiction (PG13)
Kaige, Historical Romance (PG13)
Jeannie Lin, Contemporary (PG13)
RF Long, Fantasy Sword and Sorcery (PG13)
Shawntelle Madison, Paranormal Romance (PG13)
Christa McHugh, Paranormal Romance (PG13)
Debbie Mumford, Fantasy (PG13)
Jo Lynne Valerie, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)

Kendal Ashby, Erotic Contemporary (R)
KB Alan, Erotic Paranormal Romance (R)
Penny Dune, Romantic Suspense (R)
Inez Kelley, Contemporary Romance (R)
Jeannete Murray, RomCom (R)
Christa Page, Regency Paranormal (R)
Michelle Picard, Paranormal (R)
Jeanne St James, Erotic Rom M/M (R)
Danielle Yockman, Historical Romance (R)

Sara Brookes, Fantasy (NC17)
Emily Ryan Davis, Erotic Contemporary Romance (NC17)
Ella Drake, Erotic SciFi Romance (NC17)
Angeleque Ford, Erotic Contemporary Romance (NC17)
Jamal W Hankins, Dark Fiction/Fantasy (NC17)
Bryl R Tyne, Transgender M/M (NC17)

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate–just an writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.

This month I thought I would post a scene that inevitably ended on the “cutting room floor.”  It’s from BROKEN, and it’s a scene the morning after a big revelation that was rewritten. Caleb has brought Sarah lunch since she’s in her dorm room recouperating. What with New Moon’s release just days away, this is a little homage to Twilight. So, if you don’t like Twilight or sparkly vampires, feel free to skip to the next excerpt, but if you do leave a post. 

**Disclaimer : this scene was cut, so it never saw fine tune editing.

         “Ah, you are an angel,” I teased, smiling at the brown bag.

         “What would make you say that?”  His eyes narrowed and his body stiffened.

          “Because you brought food, silly.”

          We rode up to the third floor and walked back to my room without saying another word.  I thought for sure he would at least ask how my head was doing. Instead, we sat down on my bed and devoured the breakfast burritos he’d brought. Once he was done, finishing before me as usual, his eyes began to wander about my room. I watched in horror as he processed everything about my messy half. Finally, his eyes came to rest on the poster hanging above my bed.

          “You like that movie?” He asked with the child like tilt to his head.

          I shrugged. “I liked the books better. It’s about forbidden love, like a modern Romeo and Juliet.”

         “And that intrigues you? Forbidden love, I mean?”

          “It makes it exciting.”

          “You find him exciting because he’s all wrong for the heroine because of his desire to kill her, or put her in harm’s way?”

          My mouth dropped. “You’ve read the books?”

          His eyes darted between the poster and my small library on the top shelf of my desk. “I’ve read tons of things. When you can’t sleep–”

          “You don’t sleep?”

          His mouth twisted in a smirk. “Don’t get delusional ideas. I’m not a vampire. I can sleep; I just choose not to.”

         “I wasn’t thinking that at all.” Though, it was a possibility in my ever changing theories about who he really was. It would definitely explain his sudden appearance just before the display would have crushed me and the splintered two by fours.

          His eyes sparkled, catching the mid-day sun pouring in the window. “You didn’t answer my question.”

          I shrugged. “I don’t think he puts Bella in danger. I think she does that all by herself. He’s always protecting her, maybe a little overprotective. But I think what is so appealing about him is his self-restraint, and most of all, he falls in love with her from the moment he first sees her.”

          “He’s willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to be with her. He tempts his true nature and defies the laws that govern his kind. To me, that’s what makes their love story such a compelling one.”

          I’d expected Caleb to make a snide comment, or at the very least, to roll his eyes. But his words sank into my mind and a chill shimmied up my spine.

          I glanced up at him from the corner of my eye. “You make it sound like you identify with Edward.”

          He snorted. “Maybe.”

         “And how are you like him?”

         “I am most certainly not a vampire–”

         “You already said that, and since you’re not sparkling like a disco ball, I believe you.” I laughed as the sun drenched his fair skin and turned it a golden, milky color.

           This time he did roll his eyes. “They’re creatures of fiction. I have no desire to drain you of your blood. And I’m not seventeen.”

          I crossed my arms over my chest. “Then you are most like him in that you are breaking rules – to be with me? What rules are you breaking, Caleb?”

         He clenched his jaw and swiveled off the bed. In our brief time together, I’d come to realize that one of two things occurred when I asked more about him. He either let the hard mask fall back into place, or he simply disappeared. He didn’t grow cold, but turned his back to me as he absorbed my tiny living space. He fingers brushed over the titles of the books on my desk, the small stack of CD’s, and my research I’d left out. Before I could even think to grab the notes or the opening paragraph I’d written, he was pushing aside the papers with his fore finger.

          As he whipped around, that hard edged mask slipped completely down, and his eyes smoldered, dangerous. “What’s this?”

          “My research paper.”

          “Your research paper is on the murder of Christabell White?”

           I didn’t like the way he said her name with such familiarity. I took a deep breath and let it rattle out between my pressed lips. “Yes. I’m intrigued by local legends, and it’s one that fascinates me.”

          He balled his hands into fists. “You’re fascinated by the murder of an innocent woman?”

          “I’m not fascinated by the murder. I want to find the truth of what really happened.”  I squared my shoulders in defense.

           In a flash, he took one step and his nose came within an inch of mine. He breathed hard, and his heated words lashed across my face. “Some things are best left in the past.”

          Before I could answer, he stormed out of my room leaving a trail of scattered notebook papers drifting to the floor. I flounced back against the bed and sighed, damn his stubborn self conceited attitude. My head pounded again, and this time, it had nothing to do with the contusion I’d sustained the night before.

“Links to other Excerpt Monday writers
Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.

So, to kick it off, your hosts:

Alexia Reed, Urban Fantasy (R)

and

Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG13)

Joining us this week:

Jane Bled, Yaoi/M-M Erotica/Vampire/Paranormal/Horror (PG 13)
Danie Ford, YA Urban Fantasy (PG 13)
Heather S Ingemar, Dark Fantasy (PG13)
Babette James, Fantasy Romance (PG13)
Cynthia Justlin, Contemporary Romance (PG 13)
Kaige, Historical Romance (PG 13)
Julia Knight, Fantasy Romance (PG 13)
Jeannie Lin, Historical paranormal romance (PG 13)
R.F Long, Fantasy (PG13)
Shawntelle Madison, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)
Debbie Mumford, Fantasy (PG 13)
Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG13)
Megan S, Paranormal (PG 13)
Rosalind Stone, Women’s Fiction (PG 13)
Jo Lynne Valerie, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)

Kendal Ashby, YA (R)
Jax Cassidy, Contemporary (R)
Inez Kelley, Romantic Comedy (R)
Aislinn Kerry, Fantasy (R)
Jeanne St. James, Contemporary Erotic Romance (R)
Cherrie Lynn, Paranormal Romance (R)
Jeanette Murray, Romantic Comedy (R)
Christa Paige, Paranormal (R)
Michelle Picard, Fantasy Romance (R)
Mary Quast, Contemporary Romance (R)
Alexia Reed, Urban Fantasy (R)
Zora Stout, Contemporary Erotic Romance (R)

Sara Brookes, Erotic Sci Fi (NC 17)
Emily Ryan-Davis, Romance (NC 17)
Ella Drake, Historical Paranormal Romance (NC 17)
Angeleque Ford, Erotic Dark Urban Fantasy (NC17)
J.W. Hankins, Dark Fiction (NC 17)
Annie Nicholas, Paranormal Romance (NC 17)
Kim Knox, Erotic SF Romance (NC17)
Michelle Polaris, Erotic Futuristic Romance (NC 17)
Bryl R. Tyne, Contemporary M/M (NC 17)