Posts Tagged ‘Excerpt Monday’

Well with being stuck in revisions right now, February slipped up on me and I don’t have a post for today. But I thought I post the links for everyone to enjoy the other Excerpt Monday reads. Enjoy! And catch you next month.

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)

Just a little forward notice that next Monday is once again Excerpt Monday. Off to find a great little piece to present….

 

 

 
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.

 

In celebration of my most favorite month…October, I thought I would post what I think is a rather scary scene from my MS Broken…enjoy!!!

~UPDATE 11/07/09 : I’ve made some revisions to the original post.

 

         “Beer?” Caleb leaned over to ask, and I nodded.

         He disappeared in the crowd surrounding the bar, and Kim slid up next to me.

          “What is going on?” She demanded.

          I bit my lip and shrugged. “I have no idea. He was in the parking lot when everyone left.”

          “And did he apologize?”

          “I guess, sorta.”

          “Sorta? He should have, Sarah. He was gone and didn’t even bother to call you. And then Thursday night, that’s bullshit.”

          “What’s bullshit?” Caleb asked as he placed an ice cold beer in my hand.

          “That was fast,” I said.

          Kim opened her mouth to say something else, but I stopped her with my glare. She shrugged and walked off, mumbling, “Whatever.”

          “What is she talking about?” He tilted his head to the side with child-like curiosity.

          I took a deep breath. “She thinks you owe me an apology for Thursday night and for being a jerk. And then sneaking off with Aimee. While you were gone, you didn’t bother to answer my texts. I was seriously worried about–”

          He held up his hand. “Wait a minute. I was still in some pain Thursday night. It’s no excuse. As for Aimee–” He shook his head with a laugh. “Really Aimee? I’ve known her for a very long time. There’s nothing you need to worry about.”

          I felt my face flush with heat. “Why the hell does everyone keep telling me that?”

          “Because it’s true. Trust me,” he said. I took a sip of my beer and turned my head away from his searing gaze. He laughed again, and I looked up at him. “Am I right in assuming that you’re jealous?”

          “No, absolutely not.”

          He swallowed down his own beer but couldn’t hide the grin forming across his lips. “I like it.”

          “I am not jealous,” I stammered. “I have no reason to be. It was an arrangement. We’re not really an item.”

          The words tumbled out before I realized I’d said it. My heart pounded in my throat and in my ears, drowning out the music blaring in the bar.

          He looked down at me, and his eyes swirled with a heated glow. “If we were together, would you trust me?”

          “Yes.” I didn’t think about my answer. I just wanted him. Even more when he flashed me his heart stopping smile.

          “Come on,” he said, taking my hand and leading me toward the front stage area.

          It was empty, but music blared out of the speakers. As if on cue, the song switched from a loud rocking tune to a slower alternative one. He guided my hand to his shoulder and then placed my other one in the palm of his. Oh, no. I really sucked at slow dancing. I always tried to take the lead and then stepped all over the poor guy’s feet.

          “Just follow my lead.” His mouth twisted with mischief as he pulled me tighter to him. “And don’t look at your feet.”

          “I’m not.” I widened my eyes, and he chuckled.

          We moved like blood flowing through the veins, a thick, pulsing flow. Slow and warm while the rest of the room melted away. I was aware of his breath hot against my ear and the stiffness in his shoulder under my fingers.

          “So, now that we’re an item,” he stated and drew my attention back to his lips.

          “Yes.”

          “What shall we do about it?”

          “Seal it with a kiss?” I bit my lip.

          His laughter reverberated through his chest, over my hand and across my skin. I dug my teeth harder into my bottom lip.

         “That’s a thought, but not in this bar.”

         When the song ended, we went back and finished our beers. Then he took my hand, led me out of the noisy bar and back to his car. Suddenly, this all seemed surreal to me. Did he really mean it, or would he turn back into old Caleb at any moment? As if to reassure me, he flashed his heart-stopping smile while he pulled out of the bar’s lot. He raced back toward campus, and I floated like I sat on a heavenly cloud.

         “I’ve broken a lot of rules recently.” His voice was thick with emotion.

          My breath caught in kmy chest. “What do you mean?”

          He glanced at me and then shrugged. “Nothing.”

          “No, tell me,” I prodded.

          He twisted the steering wheel in his hands and stared out the window. I regretted pushing him. I followed his gaze as the Mercedes came to a stop. He’d driven to the little park on the far end of campus that overlooked an old covered bridge.

         “Do I appear normal to you?” He asked, and I was floored by the sincerity in his absurd question.

         “Yes, of course you do.” But the thoughts I’d tried to deny, they began to swirl uncontrollably in my mind.

         He turned in the seat in a split second, and his face hovered so close that I could feel the heat of his breath. “Yes, on the outside. But what about everything else?”

         I shook the confusion out of my head. “I guess.”

         “What if I told you I wasn’t normal? What if I’m not like the average guy?” He leaned away.

         “Caleb, what you are talking about?” I bit my tongue from speaking my own crazy ideas.

         The mismatched edges of the jigsaw puzzle that made up Caleb Smith began to shift into place, and slowly one by one the layers of questions all seemed to string together to form one absurd answer. The unearthly figures that appeared in my peripheral, the near collision, and the strange way Caleb acted. Finally, Tristian’s story about angels in Wenham fluttered in my mind.

         The leather seat sighed as he pressed his back against it. “What if I told you that I was all wrong for you?”

         I crossed my arms over my chest, indignant. “Are you breaking up with me after only dating for about twenty minutes?”

         His ‘no’ echoed in a soul rending, guttural cry, and I knew it was the last thing he wanted. His answer resounded deep within my own soul, and it cried the same answer.

         “Caleb?” I asked and placed my hand on his arm. He gritted his teeth, and the taut muscles under my hand tensed. I let go, thinking I’d done something wrong, and curled my hand in my lap as if the touch seared my flesh.

         He looked over at me. “No, it’s okay.”

         “Is it?” I bit harder into my lip and turned my eyes to the window, unable to bare the scowl that marred his perfect face. “I feel like you’re hiding something from me, Caleb. How can I trust you, if you can’t trust me?”

         “Sarah, of course I trust you. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t. But there are things…things I am unable to explain to you, but God, I want to.”

          “Then tell me.” My whisper cracked in the electrically charged atmosphere. I tucked my fingers under my lap afraid I would reach out and touch him again.

          His gaze melted with tenderness. I watched from the corner of my eye as he smiled suddenly as if a thought tickled his brain.

         “There is one thing–” He leaned across the seat, cupping my cheek in his hand.

          The molten touch of his lips brushed mine. And my heart sizzled in my stomach at the explosive feeling. The bold movement of his tongue darted across my top lip, and I sighed into his embrace. He shifted in the seat and grasped the base of my neck, cradling my head and tilting it upward. I pressed my lips against his and savored the warmth of his breath as it melted over my cheeks. A groan escaped from chest as his lips danced over my face and down my neck. He pulled away swiftly, and I was left with a cold rush of air. Apology accepted.

           “Just one thing?” I asked breathless.

          “You know, you’re doing that thing again with your breathing.”

           My cheeks burned, and my ears rang with the thunder of my heart. “Sorry.”          

          He smiled wickedly. “Am I forgiven?”

          I twisted the corner of mouth. “For now.”

          Suddenly, the playfulness slid from his face as a flash of light caught my attention. He turned the key in the ignition, but the familiar purr sputtered and died. His eyes darted from the mirrors to the bridge, and fear pulsed through my veins from his strange reaction.

         I swallowed the lump in my throat. “What is it?”

         His eyes swept over the landscape a second time before they rested on me. I nearly jumped when I recognized the concern etched on face. I’d seen this look before in my dreams.

         The edge to his voice scared me. “You must do exactly what I say. Do you understand?” My eyes widened, but I nodded. “Don’t get out of the car for any reason.”

         He shoved on the door and leapt out. I trembled with the vibration as he slammed it closed. I squirmed forward, trying to locate his dark shape against the black woods. There were no campus safety lights in the park. SGA would be hearing from me.

          I swore I heard a voice call out and Caleb answer. But as my breath fogged up the windows, I lost sight of his silhouette. I rubbed away the white film and saw nothing at first. A scream tore through my lungs with a burn. A black shape whizzed over the hood and shook the Mercedes. I pressed back against the seat, my heart expanding in my throat and preventing air in my lungs. The thing flew by again followed by another shape.

         My voice scratched in a whisper. “Caleb?”

         Minutes passed and nothing else happened. My imagination whirled at sickening speed, and I envisioned Caleb injured and unconscious somewhere. I’d seen enough strange things since I’d arrived in Wenham to know that this classified as one. I knew he’d said to stay in the car, but I just couldn’t sit there if he was in danger.

          I checked through the windows before I pressed the unlock button. The door swung open, and I gripped the handle, ready to yank it back closed if threatened. Only the sound of the rustle of the wind through the trees reached my ears, so I pushed the door wide. A dense fog crept along the stream bank and drifted over the park. I hugged my elbows against my ribs and peered through the darkness. Afraid to call out his name and have that thing swoop down after me, I inched toward the structure, stark white against the black woods that surrounded it.

         The whistle of something in motion erupted behind me, and I dashed for the opening of the bridge. Spindly fingers with the strength of iron grabbed my upper arms. The scream that shook from my throat caused the thing to laugh. I struggled to break free and failed. My feet scraped at the gravel lane as it pulled me off the ground and into the air with it.

          “Caleb!” I cried, summoning the breath to carry his name through the trees.

          A second ribbon of lights swerved throught the park, illuminating the bridge. I twisted to see who was foolish enough to pull in. The thing dropped me, and I landed on my knees and scraped the palms of my hands. It hissed as it retreated up into the sky. An older man with shocking red hair came to my side. He lifted me up and brushed me off.

          “Are you alright? Where’s Caleb?” He asked.

           I blinked at him, but before I could answer, Caleb’s voice grunted from the edge of the trees. “Get her over the water, Grayson.”

          Grayson hauled me the rest of the way to the covered bridge. I tried to shove passed him to find Caleb, but he placed a sturdy hand on my shoulder.

          “Go to the center. It can’t reach you there. It can’t cross the water”

          “It? What is it?”

          But my questions died unanswered. He turned and raced for the woods. An earsplitting squeal pierced the air, and I stepped away from the lip and edged backwards. When my strength faltered, I sat squarely on my bottom, dead center over the stream. Ghostly mist swirled up over the wooden rails and wrapped me in a shiver.

         After several minutes, two huddled silhouettes dragged a third dark shape close to the edge of the creek. My heart thudded out of control when I saw Caleb with his back to me and the red-headed man. I dashed toward him, still shaking with fear.

          “Stay back,” he commanded, and I froze inches from the grass. “Go back to the center of the bridge, Sarah. “ His voice was strained, but smooth.

           “No. I want to know what the hell is going on.” My voice trembled as my knees knocked together.

           The thing on its back laughed when I said hell, and I jerked backwards.

          Grayson pinned the dark, twisted shape to the ground with something that glinted in the yellow glow of the headlights. He turned to Caleb. “Get her away from here. I can take care of the slug.”

         Caleb nodded and then grabbed something from his pocket. “Use this to get some answers before you toss him in the water.”

         “You wouldn’t hurt me Caleal, would you?” the tinny voice crooned, and the hair on my neck bristled.

         “Tell me who sent you, and I might show mercy,” Caleb replied.

          It croaked a laugh and attempted to squirm away. And I saw its knotted bones twisted in impossible angles, like something that had crawled out of one of those Japanese horror movies. Panic seized the insides of my stomach and threatened to rip it inside out.

          Grayson pressed a sword against its throat before he yelled, “Go, Caleb. Get her away from here before others find her.”

           Caleb let go of the creature and seized me by the arm. He dragged me toward the car. I tried to catch another glimpse of the thing on the ground, but my eyes locked with its glowing red ones. Once we were in the safety of the car, he keyed the ignition and wasted no time peeling out.

          “I told you to stay in the car.”

          I crossed my arms over my chest because I was trying to keep my stomach from up chucking. At the same time, hysteria lapped at the edges of sanity. “He called you Caleal. Why did he call you Caleal?”

          “Do you realize you could have been killed?”

          “You didn’t answer me.” Unbelievable questions pounded in my brain, and unfathomable ideas answered back. But I wondered if I could deal with the answer I was demanding from him. Would it change anything if I heard him say it?

          He whipped into the fire lane of Pembry, and the SLK skidded to a stop. I turned to face him and refused to get out until he explained one way or another.

          “You’ll be safe here until–”

          “Are you going to tell me what the f**k just happened?”

          Intense fury burned in his eyes. “No.”

          I didn’t think I could feel so much rage, but when I pummeled my fists against his shoulder and chest, the surge and release of pent up frustration felt so damn good. Tears slipped down my cheeks as I cried ‘tell me’ over and over. He grabbed my wrists and pulled me against his chest. Smoothing back my hair, he whispered words into my ear I could not understand. When he tried to kiss me, I pushed him away.

          “You expect me to trust you, and you won’t even tell me the truth? You’re a liar, Caleb. Everything about you is a lie.” I shoved open the door.

          “Sarah,” he groaned as he tried to snatch my arm.

          I launched out of the seat and scrambled for the lobby as fast as my legs could carry me. I couldn’t look over my shoulder, but finally, the screech of his car as it raced out of the fire lane bounced off the brick. Adrenaline carried me all the way to back to my room, but I crumpled once I reached the bed. I pulled the covers over my head, knowing I would never fall asleep.

 

 

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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 that time again. This month to celebrate overcoming my first hurdle of submitting my full MS to an agent, I decided to post an excerpt from that manuscript. This scene is from my YA paranormal romance called BROKEN. Enjoy.

 ~UPDATE 11/07/09 : I’ve made some revisions to the origianl post.

~~~

          The steering wheel was slick in my hands. I tried to grip it, attempting to ease the pounding of my heart. Licking my lips and trying to swallow, my throat constricted with fear. I focused on the dust floating in the headlamps. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the other car back up and stop across from me on the opposite shoulder. The driver’s side window lowered, and a dark head leaned out. So much for easing the tight squeeze on my heart, it somersaulted in my stomach. I recognized the jet-black hair, deep-set blue eyes and twisted scowl. It was Caleb.

          “Are you ok?” His eyes reflected the electronic blue of the dashboard and held an eerie glow.

          When I didn’t answer, he leapt out of the black sports car and dashed across the highway. His jaw tightened, and I tried to get my breathing under control.

          “Are you hurt?” Those damnable eyes raked over me as I sat immobile.

          “No, I’m fine.” The words tumbled out.

          Avoid. Avoid. Avoid. My mind screamed while I stared at the steering wheel. But I couldn’t escape, and he didn’t leave. Instead, his hand gripped the window frame.

          “I feel terrible.” Yeah right.  “Are you sure you’re okay?” His voice sounded kinder, almost sincere. And smooth. God, it was smooth as velvet.

          “Someone was standing in the middle of the road. Did I hit them?” I finally turned my head in his direction.

          Concern deepened the lines of his face, softening his cold demeanor. I’d been holding my breath and didn’t hide the sudden, noisy outrush.

          “There’s no one here. I’d feel better if you allowed me to drive you back to campus.” He stood back, placing his hand on the door handle. “I assume that’s where you were going?”

          Tendrils of shock shimmied from my spine, tightening across my chest. I still shook from the fright, even though my eyes must have played tricks on me. But the sexiest guy in school pulling on my door wasn’t a mirage. And now, he insisted I get into his car. My mind protested the idea but couldn’t fight the insatiable curiosity.

          “I insist.” He opened the door wide.

          There was no refusing him. The way he stood, one hand on the door and the other outstretched toward his car, denied all thoughts of resistance. I reluctantly climbed out and stumbled, my knees turning to Jell-o. His arm slipped around my waist, and he pulled me tight against his chest. My knees weren’t the only thing weakening.

          “You’re certainly in no condition to be driving a car.” His mouth twitched with a hint of humor.

          He steered me across the street and dumped me in the passenger seat of his slick, black Mercedes SLK. I watched as he grabbed my stuff and locked the car. My mind whirred into motion. He’d been racing away from Wenham, and my reckless driving prevented him from whatever he was on his way to do. Guilt gnawed at my uneasy stomach. Pissing off Caleb Smith placed first on my list of things not to do while in college.

          “You were on your way somewhere. I don’t want to keep you,” I said as he climbed in and slammed the door.

          He whipped the car around and headed back toward Wenham and campus. “You’re not.”

          “I’m sorry. I swear there was someone standing in the middle of the road.” My heart pounded at the ridiculous words coming out.

          “You must have been seeing things.” The line of his jaw, stone-cold blue from the dash lights, clenched and relaxed. The mask dropped back over his face, and distinct animosity slipped into his tone. I should have stayed in the Passat.

          “You really don’t have to do this. I’ll be fine in a second.” I wrapped my arms across my chest to stop the shaking. His eyes drifted over me, and an eyebrow lifted. When he didn’t answer, I asked, “What about my car?”

          “I’ll take care of it.” His eyes flickered back to the road.

          When we curved another bend, a second set of headlights blazed toward us. The semi barreled down the middle of the road. Caleb laid on the horn and rolled the SLK onto the grassy shoulder just as the massive truck careened back into its lane. Caleb never slowed but maneuvered the sports car back onto the highway with a nonstop smoothness.

          “Jerk truck driver! We could have been killed,” I said, gripping my sides tighter.

          Caleb gripped the wheel with knuckles as white as his pressed lips. He stared intense, almost agitated, out the window. My heart quickened its thrumming because I was fearful of his frozen attitude.

          “You don’t trust me,” he hissed. It was a statement rather than a question.

          “No.” At the moment, I didn’t feel like being polite or lying.

          The lines of his face softened, and the corner of his mouth curved. “Good,” he whispered.

          Staring at my lap, I inhaled slow, deep breaths to calm my heart rate. The pattern of light, a prismatic splotch of LCD blue, changed to a brighter orange glow. I glanced up as we raced through Rockport.

          “Why did you transfer to Wenham?” His tone held an accusation, and I jerked my head to stare at him.

          He twisted his hands around the steering wheel when I hesitated, but his gaze never left the road. I found it unnerving the way he avoided looking at me when he spoke.

          The in rush of my breath slid through my clenched teeth with a sizzle. “My mom took a promotion. She insisted I transfer.”

          “There’s dozens of colleges in Boston. Why did you choose Wenham?”

          The accusation was still present. My mouth hung slightly open as I wondered how he knew my mother planned to move us to Boston.

          “My aunt lives in Rockport. It was my mother’s choice, not mine.”

          “Then you would have rather stayed–” He paused to glance over at me, blue eyes searing. “In Tennessee?”

          “No, not necessarily.” The words caught in my throat, and I licked my dry lips. “Do you have a dislike for people in general, or just me in particular?”

          The corner of his mouth quivered. “Why on earth would you think I dislike you?”

          My mouth made a pop as I shut it. I could mention the sneers and the obvious intimidation, but my courage faltered when I gazed into those blue eyes. Instead, I glanced out the window, avoiding how seductive he looked with taut muscles under a tight black sweater. I couldn’t help recalling Cybil’s silly palm reading. One true love, my ass.

          The first row of shops along Wenham’s main street appeared, and I was glad he was speeding. The sooner this ride was over the better. Before I could catch my breath, we pulled into the fire lane in front of Pembry. The German precision sports car glided to a stop dead center of the plate-glass lobby windows. Determined to escape the car with lightening speed, it didn’t occur to me that he knew which dorm I lived in.

          “Thank you,” I muttered as I climbed out. My mind still swirled, and my knees still wobbled.

          He leaned across the seat. “You want your car, right?”

          I whirled around to find him smiling. Stunned, it was the first time I’d ever seen him do it, and it left me breathless. I just stood there in foolish amazement. He cocked his head, waiting.

          “Oh, right,” I stammered, fishing for the keys.

          When I gave him my keychain, my fingers barely brushed the inside of his palm. He whipped his hand away, and for a second, I swore that I didn’t feel anything but warm air. I had to be hallucinating. Or there must have been something weird in Cybil’s organic spaghetti sauce.

          I sighed. “Thanks.”

          “Don’t mention it.” He said as the window slid up.

          I stood with my feet glued to the sidewalk and watched as he raced up the fire lane. His final statement recoiled with a sting like a popped rubber band. Recalling my original assumption of him, pretentious and callous, I didn’t plan on mentioning it to anyone ever.

~~~

“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.