Delilah Devlin's Blog, page 53
April 11, 2024
Sliding Puzzle: Mayan City (Contest)
I have a new kind of puzzle for you! Try it out. See if you like it. It’s a little challenging at first! You can see the finished puzzle at the bottom. To move the pieces, do you see the fuzzy/grayed piece? You can move a bright/crisp puzzle piece into that space by tapping it. That’s how you move the pieces. It takes a bit of strategy to get those last pieces in place.
Of course, since I’m still celebrating the end of Tyson’s Mission, I chose a Mayan ruin as the subject of this puzzle!
For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle, or try to solve the puzzle, then tell me what you think of this challenge!
The post Sliding Puzzle: Mayan City (Contest) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.
April 10, 2024
The End! (Of TYSON’S MISSION, that is) (Contest + Excerpt)
Around all the company we had leading up to and then after the eclipse (I have the T-shirt and the poster!), I wrote the last chapter of the book coming your way on April 23rd!
It’s an exciting one, set in the Yucatan jungle. My heroine is feisty, independent, and brave, and my hero is a SEAL—nuff said about him, right?
Do you see the book’s cover?! He’s every bit, Tyson Quigley. I also found a background photo that perfectly captures the setting of the story. And that look he’s wearing? That’s when he puts his foot down.
I can’t wait for you to read the story. It’s filled with interesting tidbits about the work my heroine is involved with and characters you’ll love and hate. There are some pulse-pounding moments—sexy times and ones filled with danger. And there’s humor. You know I can’t write without a bit of that thrown in, too.
So, my question to you is, have you pre-ordered your copy? For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me whether you’ve pre-ordered or tell me what about the description below appeals to you.
Tyson’s Mission
A former Navy SEAL is tapped to provide security for a team of archeologists working to uncover Mayan ruins deep in a Mexican jungle that a local drug cartel is targeting.
After surviving a catastrophic helicopter accident, former Navy SEAL Tyson Quigley is taking well to his new life with the Brotherhood Protectors in the Yellowstone, Montana, office. Life’s looking up. He’s working with old teammates and feeling stronger and more himself every day.
Then he gets a call from his university professor brother, who is worried about a colleague working on an archeological dig in southern Mexico. The team has had problems with thefts of equipment and supplies. Now, one of the dig team members has been kidnapped and held for ransom, but they quickly figure out the finger they were sent in the package demanding payment is from an already dead person. Now, they have no idea whether their team member is alive or dead and worry that the attacks on the site aren’t over. After a quick conference with his Brotherhood Protector teammates, Ty heads down to Mexico to pose as his brother’s friend’s boyfriend to provide her protection for the remainder of the dig.
Cara Woodward doesn’t need a babysitter. Sure, things have gotten scary since a team member was abducted, but she thinks having a bodyguard is overkill. Their sponsors are pulling the plug on the excavation due to the kidnapping, so they’re working furiously to close the site for the season. Tyson’s everywhere she is, and it’s getting on her nerves. His looming presence is distracting, to say the least. He’s too handsome, too intense.
As the dig team continues documenting their work before they pack up and leave, they suffer a series of attacks—this time, too close to Cara for Ty’s comfort. He’s locking her down, with no daylight between them for the duration.
Pre-order your copy now!
Read the opening scene now!
Here’s their first meeting…
In the distance, an engine sounded, but it was coming from the north rather than the south, where the dig team would be coming from. “What now?” she muttered and headed toward the motor pool—which was no more than the flattest, unforested spot on the edge of the camp. They’d erected a makeshift fence around the motor pool with cleaned cans from the mess tent hanging from the wire to alert the camp to anyone looking to steal parts or an entire vehicle, which had happened the previous year.
A jeep pulled up to the gate, and the driver rapped the horn once.
The jeep’s poorly painted camo pattern meant their visitor was Gino Acevedo, the local man of all trades with whom Cara met when she needed manpower or materials.
Cookie kept pace with Cara as they moved toward the gate where the jeep stopped.
Gino stepped down with a huge grin on his face. “I have a surprise for you, Señora Woodward.”
The passenger side door that faced away slammed. A tall figure appeared and circled the front of the vehicle. It was a man—a rather tall, well-built man. As he neared, Cara’s breath caught. Lord have mercy, the man was handsome.
His mouth moved into a tight line before stretching into a half-smile as he drew closer. Then, before she had a chance to wonder why he was moving in so close, he reached out, gripped her shoulders, and kissed her.
Ty barely had time to note that Cara was a very attractive woman before he made his move. She appeared to be in shock. Her eyes widened as he pressed a light kiss against her mouth. Damn Bradon. He hadn’t called to warn her.
He put his arms around her and hugged her to his chest. Then he bent toward her ear. “Play along,” he whispered.
Her head jerked back, and her eyes narrowed as she searched his face.
“I know I shouldn’t have sprung this on you,” he said louder for the benefit of anyone watching. “But I knew you’d be short-handed, and Bradon got me set up on a flight to come down and help with the tear-down.”
He moved back but kept his arm slung around her waist as he turned to greet the other female, who was tanned with spiked, platinum-blond hair. He reached out his free hand, “I’m Ty Quigley, a friend of Cara’s,” he said, giving extra emphasis to the word friend.
The woman grinned widely as she gave Ty a handshake that would’ve caused a lesser man to grimace. “Nice to meet you. Everyone calls me Cookie. Cara never mentioned she had a hunk like you at home.”
Cara wriggled inside his embrace, but he clapped his hand on her hip to keep her leaning against his body. He had to sell this with or without her cooperation. “She’s probably still a little pissed at me after the last time we spoke. I had some time off from work and thought I’d better come down here to mend some fences if you know what I mean.”
“Well, that’s some gesture,” Cookie said. “If it doesn’t work out…” She waggled her eyebrows and then gave a gust of laughter. “Any chance you have a brother…?”
The post The End! (Of TYSON’S MISSION, that is) (Contest + Excerpt) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.April 9, 2024
The Eclipse! Just Wow! (Contest)
Local schools announced a holiday—likely because they knew few students would show up and teachers would want to watch the total eclipse of the sun, too! So the three kids were with us.
All my siblings—two brothers and my sister—my daughter and her kids gathered at my brother’s place across the highway for a viewing party. We arrived at 11:30, set up the chairs facing the sun, handed out approved eclipse glasses, and roasted. The temperature was a very balmy 84 degrees, hardly a cloud in the sky. By the time the show was all over we did have sunburns. 
Of course there was plenty of time for silly photographs. My daughter played “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and we all sang so loud we could hear neighbors laughing. The 10-year-old was our self-appointed timekeeper who let us know the countdown to the “totality.” There were plenty of goosebumps and oohs and ahhs when the totality occurred and the world grew dark.
Afterward, we weren’t as interested in watching the sun “grow bigger.” My brothers set up the grill to fry a ton of fresh-caught bass with hush puppies and tons of yummy sides. So, so, good. I am so grateful we could all be together for these few days, and to enjoy the eclipse. We’ll all carry memories of a very unique event.
For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me when your family gathered for some fun event! And did you get to watch the eclipse?
The post The Eclipse! Just Wow! (Contest) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.
April 8, 2024
Eclipse Day!
No contest today. Not much of a post, actually. LOL
All my siblings, my two brothers and my sister, are here. We all gathered at my place for a meal yesterday and to reminisce here at the family’s old homestead. We haven’t been together for a few years now, since my mother’s funeral. It was nice.
The local school district gave the kids the day off, so my three grandchildren are enjoying the “holiday” too.
Today, we’re doing a big fish fry. My brother from Georgia brought 18 pounds of fish he’d fished himself for it. We’ll have our folding chairs set up in the yard. We all have those special glasses. I can’t wait! So much bother for 2 minutes of awesomeness.
And this morning, I’m up early because I have to write a chapter before I can go enjoy the day. Tomorrow, I’ll write the last chapter and be done with Tyson’s Mission. I don’t plan to write a single word for the rest of the month—a mini-vacation for me to catch up on everything I didn’t get done while I focused on the book, like cleaning and straightening my office, folding and putting away clothes… Basically, everything. I get tunnel-vision when I’m writing.
So, to everyone in the Eclipse “Zone,” have a fun day. I hope I get a picture or two to share! ~DD
The post Eclipse Day! first appeared on Delilah Devlin.April 7, 2024
Report Card & Open Contests
Last couple weeks…
I wrote quadruple the amount of pages I usually write for Tyson’s Mission and have been putting in 12-14 hour days, just on writing, this week!I read more stories submitted for the Secret Identities anthology—but did not finish as planned!I finished one editing project for another author.I’ve created art every day for #The100DayProject.This next week…
Watch the eclipse with family—weather permitting!I will finish Tyson’s Mission which releases on April 23rd! I will work on two editing projects for other authors!I must finish reading the rest of the stories for my next anthology, Secret Identities.I will continue creating small art daily for #The100DayProject.Again, it’ll be a crazy-busy week! I’m ready for a vacation!
Open Contests
April 6, 2024
Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Eclipse Fantasy
One family member is arriving tonight. My sister will be arriving maybe Sunday night…? Anyway, it looks like the weather might cooperate with Monday’s eclipse—the only total solar eclipse we’ll see here until 2044!!! I’m so excited—or as excited as I can be as I have a deadline approaching that is kicking my ass and I have been writing for 12+ hours a day. And yes, I have to finish the book on eclipse day. Gah! Yes, feel sorry for me. I could use an attagirl!
Anyway, today’s puzzle is fun. With all the weird nonsense online about the upcoming eclipse (what on earth do earthquakes have to do with eclipses?!), I thought the image I chose would be fun. For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle, and then tell me the wildest story you’ve heard about Monday’s eclipse or eclipses in general! Have fun!
The post Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Eclipse Fantasy first appeared on Delilah Devlin.April 5, 2024
First Contact Day (Contest)
I know. I’m showing my nerd-side again. But this is an IMPORTANT holiday (to Star Trek fans, anyway)!
It’s the date, in the year 2063, when Vulcans land on Earth and introduce themselves. It’s the day when Earth begins the process of “joining the club” of star-traveling worlds. Such a momentous thing, don’t you think?
I have a love-fear relationship with the idea of aliens arriving. Yes, I read War of the Worlds when I was a kid. I watched the old black and white Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and for years afterward, I had nightmares where my parents were taken over by aliens and smiled those eerie smiles at me.
I also watched Close Encounters of the Third Kind—and yes! I could so be Richard Dreyfus’s character becoming obsessed with messages he couldn’t quite figure out and then happily letting the aliens lead him on board the spaceship at the end.
And then there was the more accessible, highly addictive weekly thrill of Lost in Space and STAR TREK! I always, always wanted to be Captain Kirk’s girlfriend. I was never a Spock girl, but I’d paint myself green and dance for that man.
More likely than Vulcans landing on the planet to make contact, I’m sure Michael Crichton had it right. Our first encounter won’t be with sexy, pointy-eared aliens but with a deadly, extraterrestrial microbe that will infect the human race as in the Andromeda Strain. Go ahead. Pee on my parade.
For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, describe what you think our first encounter with aliens will be like!
April 4, 2024
Happy Tell a Lie Day! (Contest)
Today is Tell a Lie Day! That’s a weird one, right? Shall we celebrate it? I’m trying to figure out a way to make it fun and not obnoxious. Yes, we all tell lies, whether it’s to praise a someone’s haircut we hate. Or to tell a family member—“No, that dress doesn’t make your ass look huge.” You don’t say, “Honey, it’s not the dress,” do you?
Sooooo…
For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, I want you to tell me a great big, juicy whopper of a lie. Have fun with it.
The post Happy Tell a Lie Day! (Contest) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.April 3, 2024
Word Search: Eclipse Words (Contest)
Next Monday is going to be a big day for folks in my area. Schools will be closed. Everyone I know is planning a party. My sister and brother are driving down to enjoy the view from my other brother’s yard across the road. I bought the glasses and the T-shirt!
Of course, I’m talking about the GREAT SOLAR ECLIPSE. Which we may or may not be able to observe. The weather forecast changes daily. We can only hope that the stars align, along with the sun and the moon, so we can observe it all happen. Otherwise, we’ll get to enjoy total darkness during a thunderstorm. Woohoo.
For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me whether you will be a lucky person to be in a place to observe the phenomenon—and do you have party plans?
The post Word Search: Eclipse Words (Contest) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.April 2, 2024
Flashback: Gunn’s Mission (Contest)
I’ve had tons of fun writing stories within Elle James’s Brotherhood Protectors world. At the moment, I’m working on wrapping up my next entry, Tyson’s Mission, which will be released on the 23rd of this month! Have you pre-ordered your copy?
And since I’m buried in writing the story, which is taking me away from a lot of fun stuff like family time, painting, and bingeing Andromeda, I thought today would be fun to reacquaint you with the stories I’ve written within that HUGE series of books—at least the ones I’ve written. Today, I’m highlighting the one that released just last October. I’m not even sure where the idea came from to write a story about a team of scientists dealing with a murder in their midst atop an ice floe in the Artic Ocean, but someone had to do it, right?
Gunn’s Mission
All the Brotherhood Protectors stories I’ve written, so far…
After surviving a catastrophic helicopter accident that left him scarred and unable to continue serving on the Teams, former Navy SEAL Gunnar “Gunn” Nielson is settling into life as a Brotherhood Protector in the Yellowstone, Montana, office.
When a request from the U.S. government arrives for a protection detail for someone with extensive cold-weather experience, Gunn, born and raised in Minnesota, is tapped for the job. He soon discovers that he will be the lone protector for a group of scientists working at a research facility on a floating island in the Arctic Ocean.
After discovering that one of her team members was murdered, Facility Chief Maddie Russo is grateful for Gunn’s expertise. Thinking the murder might have been committed by someone trying to interfere with a military-sponsored study, she and Gunn have to keep her team safe as the work continues.
Maddie and Gunn grow closer as the weather turns colder and the threats to the facility and its inhabitants continue.
Read an excerpt and order a copy here!
Click on the covers to learn more about them!
ContestFor a chance to win one of the stories shown above, tell me whether you’ve read any of these, and what settings/worlds you prefer!
The post Flashback: Gunn’s Mission (Contest) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.
