Brenda Dyer's Blog, page 4

Through The Eyes Of Another

Welcome to my blog site.
Today I posted a story I'd written years ago. 

Here is a quick blurb:

Secrecy was his ultimate mission.

On the surface, Marty looked like an average teenager. However, buried deep inside his true nature was anything but typical. When a car accident claimed the life of his best friend, Marty's hidden identity couldn't be denied any longer.

Determined to rid mankind from the malice and hardships that had plagued them since their creation, he now must face his most crucial assignment. Will he find the strength and courage to deliver Man from their fate? Can he forfeit his very existence for those he has come to love?  

Hope you enjoy.



                                    TROUGH THE EYES OF ANOTHER

Marty Angelo tossed his heavy back pack onto the back seat of Kirk’s green Acadian and climbed in after it. As he leaned back, he glimpsed himself in the rear view mirror. Pale skin, thin, angular features, topped with dark hair. He brushed long strands off his forehead. It needed cutting, but he wore it long on purpose—to hide his eyes. He hated them. One brown, the other light blue. A red vertical line, centered above and below his blue eye, ran from his brow to the top of his cheek. A birthmark resembling a scar.
Throughout elementary school, he’d been teased, called Scarface. Freak. The kids didn’t know how right they were. As far back as he could remember he’d had fits, like a stranger would take control of his blue eye and gaze out. His mother had taken him to doctors and psychiatrists, but they found nothing wrong.
Marty turned from his reflection and glanced out the side window. The college parking lot was packed. A number of students lingered, mingling with friends as they enjoyed the April sunshine; a welcome reprieve from the usual rain Victoria experienced this time of year. Daffodils bloomed in well manicured gardens and the pink blossom trees were on full display.  Relieved his Physics exam was over, Marty sighed and relaxed his tense shoulders.
Kirk started his car. “So, how do ya think you did on your exam?”
Steven leaned back in the passenger seat and propped a foot on the dashboard. “I think I did pretty good. Actually, I found the test quite easy.”
“You would,” Kirk said as he drove slowly through the campus grounds.
Steven shrugged. “If you studied instead of playing video games, then you’d have found it easy, too.”
“Maybe if you spent less time studying I wouldn’t kick your ass as often when we play,” Kirk replied with a laugh.
Marty smiled as his two best friends started an all too familiar debate about who was the better gamer. Truth was, Kirk could and did kick both their asses.
Steven turned in his seat and grinned at Marty. “So, here’s the plan. It’s three now, when we get to my house, we’ll play video games until six, then we’ll study for our Chemistry exam.”
“Sounds good,” Marty said.
Once off campus, Marty placed headphones in his ears and listened to his IPOD, keeping the volume low. He didn’t want to miss any of Kirk and Steven’s good natured ribbing.
Two blocks from Steven’s house, Kirk turned onto a curvy, tree-lined road.
A deer leapt from the shadows.
Before Marty could warn his friend, Kirk jerked the steering wheel. The car jackknifed.  “Watch out,” Steven yelled at the same time Marty slammed into the side of the car, smacking his head on the window. He bit the inside of his cheek and the iron taste of blood filled his mouth.   The vehicle hit a tree, spun around, and flipped onto its side, sliding down an embankment.
 Pain laced through Marty's head and chest. The smell of gas clung heavy in the cab. Disoriented, he tried to sit up. Bits of the broke windshield glittered all around him. A groan from the front seat shook the fog from his bruised brain. He looked around, trying to get his bearings. The car lay on the passenger side.
Kirk, still strapped in his seat belt, hung suspended in his seat, his head hung down at an odd angle. The groan came again.
Steven.
“Steven.” Marty pulled himself to his feet. A wave of nausea rolled over him. “Steven, are you all right?”   Smoke from the engine slowly filled the interior.
“Marty?” Steven's voice was weak.
Marty climbed to the front. “Can you move. We need to get out of here.” He glanced up at Kirk.
Blood dripped from a gouge on his forehead. His face was ashen. He didn't move or appear to be breathing.
Dread ate at Marty. “No. No. Kirk?”
“Is he . . . is Kirk all right?”
Marty quickly unsnapped Steven’s seatbelt. “Can you move?”
Steven grabbed Marty's arm. “Yes. I'm all right.” His green eyes searched Marty's face. “Kirk? Is he…”
“Crawl out the windshield. I'll unbuckle Kirk; you help drag him out.” Marty kicked the remaining glass, scattering small round bits.
Steven pulled himself to his feet and crawled out. “Ready.”
Flames erupted from the engine, making a soft whoosh.  “Hurry,” Steven pleaded.   Marty unclasped the belt and Kirk fell into his arm, taking them both down. “Grab him. Hurry.”   Steven reached in, grasped Kirk around the waist and pulled him through the opening. Marty scrambled out. They dragged Kirk away from the burning, hissing car.   Safely away, they laid Kirk flat on his back. Steven called for an ambulance as Marty checked Kirk over. Tears blurred his vision. He didn't need to check for a pulse, Kirk was gone; the absence of life was perceptible.     “No,” Marty whispered as Steven came over. “No! Kirk, don't you dare leave.” Marty slammed his fists beside Kirk's head. “Kirk!” Sobs choked him. In his agony he felt Steven try and pull him off Kirk's lifeless body.       “Marty--”       “Nooo, he's not dead.” Marty gripped Kirk's face and stared into his empty eyes. Suddenly, Marty's blue eye moved, widening, taking in the scene. With a strength of will he didn't know he had, Marty shut that eye. He began to chant, words spoken in a language he didn't know, yet were clear in his mind.      “What the hell are you doing,” Steven asked, voice laced with panic. “You're. . . holy shit, you're glowing.”      Marty ignored him. Kirk’s image blurred, and when it came back into focus he no longer laid dead on the grass beside the road. He now walked through a gray, swirling mist towards a warm white light. Marty followed.      “Kirk,” he called out in a deep, masculine voice. “Don't go.”       Kirk stopped and turned. “Marty? Is . . . that you? You look different. Where are we?”         Marty halted. “It's not your time.” He reached out and touched Kirk's chest.         With a violent jerk, Kirk bolted up, drawing great gulps of air into his lungs. “Marty? Steven?” He panted, his eyes wide with wonder. “I think I was . . . dead.”           Nausea churned Marty’s gut. His surrounding spun. He tried to concentrate on Steven, but there were two of him. Sirens whined in the distance and the acrid scent of rubber burned his nose.
Dizziness gripped him. He sagged and then fell forward, spiraling down, down through blackness, until his thoughts vanished.
When he came to he was lying on a soft mattress.
 I'm home. And not the two bedroom apartment he and his human mother shared. He opened his eyes. He was back in his colorless private chamber.
Heaven.
Mordecai sat up. He was no longer, Marty, a mere human. He was Mordecai, an angel of the Lord. God—the creator of all life--had sent him on a mission to find out if mankind was worth saving from Lucifer.
But why was he back so soon? His mission wasn't complete.   Ah, yes, he had brought Kirk back from death. He'd interfered.  Sadness sliced through Mordecai's chest when he recalled the eighteen years he lived as a human. Recalled the people he came to know and love. He yearned to be back. Yearned for the messy chaos life was as a mortal.    Was what he learned going to be enough to persuade The Creator to save humans? Granted, his Sire had witnessed everything Mordecai had with the use of The Creator's blue eye, but was it enough?
It had to be. The alternative was unthinkable.  Mordecai sprang from his bed, left the chamber, and ran down a long stone hallway punctuated with many arched doors. While he ran through the House Of God, he stretched his cramped wings high above his head.   He slowed as he approached the Great Hall. He checked his appearance in a silver urn sitting on a low table. He stared back with his own brown eyes. His angel's star shone brightly on his forehead. Black hair framed the sides of his angular face.   Murmuring voices drifted from beyond the arched doorway. Over his chest, Mordecai made the sign of the cross. He folded his wings until they lay against his back. As he stepped into the Throne room, he was struck by the deafening silence. His brothers and sisters lined the path from the entrance to the throne, where The Creator sat with an unreadable expression on His face.
 Mordecai kept his gaze downcast as he made his way passed the other angels. He dropped to his knees at his father's feet.   Silence pulsed through the room.       “Rise,” The Creator said.          Mordecai stood. He needed to plead his case and fast. His father didn’t appear happy about his meddling. “My Lord, I--”           The Creator held up a hand. “I know the whys of what you did. Your love for the human is strong. I feel it. Still, your interference is intolerable.”          “It wasn't his time.”             The Creator's blue eyes bored into him. “That was not your choice to make.”             Mordecai bowed his head, trying to keep his thoughts blank. “I am sorry, my Lord.”             “Look to me.”                 Mordecai glanced up.                The Creator stared back. His gaze stripped away Mordecai’s soul. After a few moments, He asked, “What say you on the plight of mankind?”             Relief filled him, but he pushed it down. “Don't give up on them, my Lord. They are worth saving from Lucifer's evil clutches. He has turned the earth into a hard, cruel place. He has twisted what you have created.” A bead of sweat trickled down his temple. “Humankind is not altogether to blame, my loving Father. Lucifer's influence is strong. He tempts them at every turn.”    The Creator leaned forward on His throne. “I have given my children free will. Yet what do they do with this gift? They choose to listen to Lucifer's whisperings over and over. I am no longer in their hearts. Most have turned from me.”     “Sadly, tis the truth.” Shame filled Mordecai’s heart. “During my time on earth, even I lost faith, my Lord. In my heart I didn't truly believe. Life is full of struggles. Concern for food and shelter, pain caused by sickness and death take precedence. Surviving leaves little energy for worship.”     His thoughts drifted to his mother—the woman who bore his human vessel. The hardships of life had aged her before her time. Raising a child on her own, working two jobs to keep food on their table and a roof over their head took all she had, and she did it for love. He thought of the homeless, the drug addicts, the disasters that left people broken. All the hurt and pain that came with life.
Mordecai's pleading eyes met the Creator's. “They are worth saving, and if you won't, I will try. I will die fighting for them.”   A collective gasp filled the room. Mordecai glanced at his brothers and sister. “None of you know what it’s like for humans. I dare any of you to live as they. With no angelic powers. Only then may you cast judgment.”   The Creator leaned back and studied Mordecai. “I am surprised. Not long ago you agreed with Lucifer. You conceded men were nothing but a disappointment, a source of heartache for me. You concurred that my children should be destroyed.”     “Yea, tis true, and for that I will forever be ashamed. I have walked in their place. I now know what they go through.” He sucked in a breath. “Lucifer must be destroyed. He has inflicted more than enough pain on your children. It is time to rid them of his blight. Give them the life you intended for them.”      The Creator bowed His head.  “Tis the truth you speak, but alas, my heart is for creation, not destruction.”      “Set this task to me, my Lord. I will see it done.”        “My angels shall not take a weapon to another unless death be to both of thee.”          “So be it. I will die for your children.”            The Creator rose, stretched out a glowing hand and cupped Mordecai's chin. “My son. You bring new hope to my heart. Though death shall not be the answer. I have another plan for Lucifer. One he will not see coming. Go to his hell castle and bring me back his Grace. I will send him to the earth to live as a human until I deem he is repentant of his sins.”          Mordecai smiled. “Lucifer will learn firsthand the hardships of humanity. I pray he finds compassion and understanding as have I.”          “There in is my hope.” The Creator reached beneath His white robe and pulled forth a golden dagger. He handed it to Mordecai. “Return to me the Grace I have bestowed upon him.”          Mordecai clasped the blade. “Aye, my Lord.”         The Creator kissed Mordecai's star.  “My thoughts are with you.” He touched a glowing finger to Mordecai's forehead, and all went dark as he fell through blackness. Endless it seemed before he landed with a jolt.       Mordecai slowly sat up. Sweat from the oppressive heat poured down his face, and dripped from his hair. The putrid stench of rotten flesh and sulfur burned his throat, making him gag. He gazed out from the rocky cliff to the valley far below. A lake of fire surrounded by black mountains was spanned by a long stone bridge, leading to a black castle far in the distance.    
Lucifer's home.
He glanced up. There was no sky, just black, scorched earth as a ceiling. He was in the center of the globe.   Mordecai scrambled to his feet, gathered his white robe about his body and descended the jagged peak. Once on the valley floor, a loud bell tolled. No other sound could be heard, yet he knew he was watched.     Halfway across the bridge, Mordecai glanced down at the lake of fire. Millions of human souls squirmed like snakes, reaching out to him with blackened arms, mouths wide as they screamed in agony. He tore his gaze from their suffering and continued on. Nothing deterred him as he made his way.   The great castle doors stood open and Mordecai stepped through. Two twisted, hideous creatures waited. Mordecai pulled forth his dagger, but the creatures only bowed. In unison they said, “Our master awaits. This way.”   He followed as they led him up a winding staircase to a closed door. One knocked before they departed. The door swung opened. He swallowed his fear, gripped his dagger tight beneath his white robe, and stepped inside. Across the room, sitting upon a golden throne, was Lucifer.
It had been centuries since Mordecai had seen his once beloved brother. Golden hair cascaded to his waist. Beauty beyond measure was his face.   Fluid as a gentle wave, Lucifer rose. A smile as dazzling as a thousand stars stretched his lips. “Mordecai, my brother. It has been too long. What brings you hither?”  A shiver coursed through Mordecai. “I come to end your treachery.”  Lucifer's smile faltered. “My treachery? It is our father who plays games. He betrayed us all. We knew  nothing of His plans. We blindly did His bidding, toiling, slaving, never asking questions and for what? For God to betray us with his second children and give unto them our earth that we created?” He placed a hand over his heart. “It's ours. Father stole from me—us. For that I'll never forgive.”   “The earth is not ours. It was made for humans.”        Lucifer's smile vanished, replaced by a sneer. “Parasites, all of them. I will never bow to those usurpers.” He stepped over to Mordecai, placing a hand on his shoulder. His voice when he spoke was soft, hypnotic. “You know I'm right. You felt as I did at one time.”     Mordecai's head swam; he didn't know what was right anymore. An overwhelming desire to side with his brother filled him. Suddenly, his Sire's voices filled his mind. “Be wary of Lucifer's voice. He will use it to dissuade you.”     Looking deep into his brother's blue eyes, Mordecai stroked a finger across Lucifer's brow, right over the glowing star. “I know different now as you will soon learn.”      Lucifer's face grew hard and he laughed. “Learn? I know all.” His eyes traveled over Mordecai's face. Disgust clear in his expression. “You're a fool if you think you can stop me. You know as well as I an angel can not kill another angel.”     “Aye, but I have something else in store for you. You will become one of whom you despise.” Mordecai raised his dagger and plunged it into Lucifer's chest. Before Lucifer could react, he shoved his other hand through the opening. His fingers tingled as they brushed against his essence. He seized it.      Comprehension dawned on Lucifer's face as Mordecai pulled back his hand. White light, blinding in its intensity enveloped the chamber.   Lucifer stumbled, then sagged to his knees. He clutched his chest. “No, you can't do this.”   Raw hatred and rage consumed Mordecai, torturing his mind. The hand clasped around Lucifer's grace burned, the pain white hot.   In a flash of blinding light, The Creator appeared before them. He held an open golden box towards Mordecai. “Place what is mine inside.”     For a brief moment, Mordecai didn't want to release it. He wanted it for his own.      “My son, let it go. It will destroy you.”        Hand shaking, Mordecai slowly peeled open his fingers, dropping the ball of light inside the box. The instant it was gone from him, his mind cleared. “Father, I am sorry.”       “You did well.” The Creator straightened and turned to Lucifer. “Your reign is over. You will become mortal until I deem you worthy of my gift.” With a wave of His hand, Lucifer's soul rose from his head and was gone.         The Creator closed the box and sealed it with a chant. “I and the world owe you. Whatever your heart desires shall be yours.”
 “You owe me nothing. I did it out of love.”      A gentle hand cupped Mordecai's cheek. “Name it, my son.”      He gazed into his father's bright eyes. “I would--”      “Tis done.”         Marty Angelo tossed his heavy back pack onto the back seat of Kirk's green Acadian and climbed in after it. He leaned back catching a glimpse of himself in the rear view mirror. Pale skin, thin angular features, topped with dark hair. He brushed long strands out of his brown eyes.   
His hair needed cutting, but he wore it long on purpose—to hide the star shaped birthmark on the center of his forehead.  Kirk started the car. “So, how do ya think you did on the exam?”

Thank you for reading.            

The Big Cover Reveal Please put your hands together...

The Big Cover Reveal

 Please put your hands together and help me welcome the wonderful Victoria Adams to Romance With a Bite. Without further adieu, here's Victoria.  
Hi,I'm Victoria Adams. I live in Ontario, Canada with my husband and house full of pets. Daughter has grown up and is now teaching. I like to garden, cook and kayak. I've been writing since I was little. 
Being an only child, long car rides were filled with making up stories in my head about the people I saw out the car window.
My writing style has taken a split to contemporary romance for adults and contemporary romance for new adults. Although adults will enjoy the stories as well.
Circles is my first series.Dancing in Circles, book 1, is to be released soon.Circles Divided, book 2, to be released in spring 2012. Circles Interlocked is book 3 of 3 and is published.  Available at - Ebook link - http://www.amazon.com/Circles-Interlocked-ebook/dp/B005S8LI46Print – https://www.createspace.com/3863061
There are 3 or 4 more completed works are quietly nestled on my hard drive waiting for their moment to shine.
Where to find me Blog – Pages of Romance – http://victoriaadams.blogspot.comAmazon Author Page - http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007DVKQVCFaceBook - http://www.facebook.com/victoriaadams.romancewriterFacebook Author Page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Victoria-Adams/244325918978641FaceBook – Circles Trilogy Page - http://www.facebook.com/CirclesTrilogy?ref=hlTwitter – http://twitter.com/_VictoriaAdamsGoogle+ - Victoria AdamsTribberr –  Pinterest –  Wattpad – GoodReads Amazon Author Central - all Victoria Adams
I'd love to hear from my fans. It helps to connect with what my readers what to read.Now onto the incredible news – COVER REVEAL!!!!!!!!
Dancing in Circles is book 1 in the Circles Trilogy series.One born into privilege and a charmed life surrounded by love and family. The other born to a life of violence on the streets as the solemn gang leader of the notorious Shoresmen. A young, idealistic co-ed, Julie, meets a jaded, cold gang member, Robert, and cracks his icy shell, allowing the warmth of her love to awaken his soul.


Excerpt -
Robert stood near the beer line and watched as a brunette in a tight short skirt and low cut top strutted across the room and stood before him.
She dropped her gaze to his feet and moved it up to his hips then linked gazes with him. "Hello, tall, dark and totally fuckable." She dragged her tongue across her top lip.
Robert's chuckle started with a shake of his shoulders then moved to the crooked grin on his face before it erupted from his mouth.
She stepped in closer, slid her hand down his stomach and rested it on the inside of his thigh.
Robert didn't release his gaze from hers. "What? Ya want me to just rip your clothes off and do ya here?"
Her pupils dilated.
Robert flicked her hand off his leg then glanced left and right to see who had slipped their arms around his.
"Tonya." Tricia waited until the girl looked at her. "This gorgeous hunk of maleness is more man than you could ever handle."
Jennifer flicked her hand. "Go away now. He's all ours."
Tonya turned on her heel and stormed off.
"Thank you. But I coulda handled that myself."
"We're just protecting Julie's property." Tricia winked and wandered over to speak with a friend.
Jennifer released his arm. "Tonya's the school slut."
"Figured that out all by myself."
Julie stopped in front of them. "Did you get lost coming back from getting the beer?" She glanced at his empty hands. "Or did you get lost going to find the beer?"
Christopher barged between them and bumped Robert's shoulder. "Guess Jennifer's starting to hang with trash."
Robert lunged forward, grabbed Christopher's shoulder and spun him around. Before Christopher could react, Robert slammed his palms on Christopher's chest shoving him back a couple of steps. "I am so not going take any of this shit tonight. Ya wanna take this outside and end it now?" His shoulders heaved with the depth of breaths he inhaled.
Refusing to make eye contact with Robert, Christopher glanced around. "I didn't mean nothing."
With one step, Robert invaded Christopher's personal space. "Yea, you did." He locked his gaze onto Christopher's and didn't blink.
Jennifer started to step forward, but Julie touched her arm. "No, leave him alone. Let him deal. He won't do anything stupid."
Several heartbeats later, a friend of Christopher's grabbed his arm, pulling him away.
Robert slightly turned his head and watched as they camouflaged Christopher into the crowd. He rolled his shoulders and twisted his head around then turned. All signs of anger had disappeared. He stepped closer to Jennifer. "Sorry. He shouldn't have insulted ya. If ya want me to go, I'm outta here."
She handed him an unopened beer, rose up on her toes and placed a tiny kiss on his cheek. "You did good. He's an ass." Smiling at the surprised look on Robert's face, she walked over to a group of girls to mingle with her friends.
Still holding the beer, Robert walked nearer to Julie and pulled her close. "Thanks. I heard what you said. Thanks for trustin' me." He pressed his lips against the velvet skin of her neck and inhaled the aroma of her perfume. He wanted to trail kisses up her long neck and lose himself in the touch of her soft pink lips, instead, he stood before her gazing into her eyes.
Julie's voice went mute at the touch of his lips. The heat of his flesh on hers made her mind swirl. Through the noise of the crowd and the fire that raged in both of them, the sound of music broke through.
"Wanna dance?" He breathed across her ear.
Thank you so much, Victoria Adams. It was an extreme pleasure having you here today. I absolutely adore your cover. 

Excerpt From Love's Prophecy

Breeana stepped out of his embrace and walked slowly along the beach. Moments later, she turned to him. “So, what you're saying is I'd never be able to see Carol or Dave again? I'd have to quit my job?”
Shock painted her face. Hurt and rejection ripped through Mel's gut.
What the hell was the matter with him? Did he want her to toss everything to be with him?
Yeah, shit. The selfish bastard in him did, which was ridiculous because even if she agreed, he'd still say no.
Mel exhaled a vicious curse. “Everything, Breeana. Everything you've worked for, everyone you love, gone.”
“Why does every goddamn thing have to have a price?”
“I don't want you giving up anything, especially for me. I would never ask that of you.”
She swiped at her tears, then rubbed her hands on her jeans. “I know you wouldn't. It's just I've worked so hard my whole life to get where I am today. And Carol is more than just a friend, she's like my sister. She's always been there for me. If it wasn't for her, I don't know how I would have made it through my parents' death, and to never see her again…”
Pain twisted his gut tighter. “Breeana, I'm not asking you to give up anything.”
Her gaze was fierce. “Do you want to know what scares the shit out of me?”
“What?”
She hesitated. “I would leave everything. I'd leave it all behind because I…love you.”
Mel's heart ground to a halt when her softly spoken words filtered through his brain. An instant later, it jumped, slamming so hard against his ribs it felt like it was going to burst free.
She loved him? Did he hear correct?
He searched her face and saw it was true. She loved him.
Joy, love, sadness, and God help him, hope pumped through him, adding to the chaos of emotions he already felt.
He tilted her face up with a hand cupping her chin and kissed her hard. A kiss brimming with love, despair, and frustration over a situation that held no other solution than heartbreak. And he sensed she experienced the same whirlpool of feelings. He felt it in her kiss, in the desperate way she gripped his shirt, and he tasted it in her tears.
He pulled back and stared into her eyes. “I love you, Breeana. The short time we've known one another, you have become my everything. My heart. My breath…My life. I was dead inside before you.”
She crumpled against his chest and sobbed. “Oh God! I can't let you go. Don't ask me to.”
He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. He couldn't speak. His throat choked up, strangling him, which was a good thing since he didn't trust what would come out. He was afraid the moment he opened his mouth, he'd start begging her to stay; to leave everything behind to remain at his side…forever. Only with her did he feel whole, alive and loved. He couldn't go back to the lonely state his life had been before her.
Mel snapped his teeth together, trapping the unspoken words even though his mind screamed to speak aloud what was in his heart.
But being a demon slayer was to be alone because of the danger it posed to anyone they loved. And because of the danger, seldom did they form strong emotional ties. They married and had children, doing so mainly to keep the species going. But marriages were usually not a love match. They were arranged for both the male and female. For the safety of their families, slayers oftentimes lived at the base where they served from.
The bottom line was a slayer couldn't afford the weakness love brought. It was a handicap the demons could and would use against them. And the way he felt about Breeana, she would be one huge weakness, a massive crack in his emotional armor. His love for her was a liability. One that could bring him to his knees.
But what was worse, he doubted she had really thought through what it truly meant to leave her former life. She could never go back, even if things didn't work out between them. She'd be stuck in his world for the rest of her days and she'd eventually come to despise him for it. That, he couldn't live with. The pain of a broken heart, sure, but her hatred, never.
Sighing, Mel dropped his face into her hair, breathing deep. “I don't want to let you go either, but there's no way around it.”
She rubbed her face against his chest, her sobs now just sporadic hiccups. “We're quite a pair, aren't we? We love each other, but we can't do anything about it.”
She stepped back from him and made her way down the beach. A few meters away, she stopped and turned to face him. A breeze blew her hair back. The pain and sadness he saw in her eyes shattered his heart.
When she spoke her voice was hoarse, but strong and free of any doubt. “I would leave it all for you—for us. I would miss Carol terribly, but my heart is going to wither up and die without you. And as for my job, I would chuck that without a second thought. I love you more than I ever thought it possible to love another living soul.” She bent her head and then faced the ocean. “I would leave it all but for one thing.”
He didn't answer, mainly because he couldn't. She glanced over her shoulder. “The only thing that's stopping me is I’ll grow old and you won't. I couldn't put either one of us through that.”
The words there is a way screamed through his mind so loud he was sure she would hear them.
“What did you just say?” she asked.
Startled, he wondered if she did hear his thoughts. “Nothing.”
“Bullshit! I heard you say, there is a way.”

Katherine, heroine of Prophecy's Child

Katherine smoothed a coat of pink lip-gloss over her lips before she met Amy’s stare. Sometimes she envied Amy’s carefree life: spur of the moment trips to the States to shop. Camping. Dating. They were both twenty nine, but Katherine felt much older. But that’s what happened when one got pregnant at nineteen. And raising a child alone tended to rocket a person into adulthood with no stops.
She hated saying no to her friends all the time, but she had no choice. “I can’t afford it. I have to take Ike to the dentist next Wednesday.”
“I’ll pay—“
“No…thanks, but no.” Katherine was proud of how she made a life for her and her son, and if she couldn’t afford to go out, then too bad.
“Okay, but one of these days, I’m going to take you out for a night on the town. In the five years since we’ve known each other, you’ve only been out twice. And you never date. Don’t you want to meet someone and fall in love?”
Love, yeah right. Love was for naive idiots. Katherine sighed. “Amy, please, we’ve been over this a million times. I’m not interested in meeting anyone right now. I don’t have time, plus I have Ike to think about.”
“Sorry, I just want you to be happy.”
Loving her friend even more for not pressing the issue, Katherine grabbed her second-hand, blue jacket off the coat rack and slipped her arms into the sleeves. “I am happy. Honestly.”
Amy dug around in her purse and pulled out a small compact. She finger combed her stylish, blond hair. “So, what’s up with my main man, Ike? Got himself a couple of cavities?”
A niggle of fear wormed through Katherine’s stomach. “I wish it were only cavities.”
Frowning, Amy closed her compact and dropped it into her purse. “What’s wrong?”
“A couple nights ago, Ike complained that both sides of his mouth hurt. When I looked inside…” She let out a nervous chuckle. “Above his eye teeth he has teeth poking through the gums. They’re sharp like fangs.”
“Jesus. That’s…weird. Maybe they’re his adult teeth coming in?”
“He’s ten—he already has most of his adult teeth. Anyway, I called a dentist and told the receptionist what’s wrong and she said some kids have an extra set of teeth. He has to go in for an x-ray. Most likely they’ll have to be pulled.”
Amy tossed her purse onto the couch. “Oh, well that’s not too bad.”“I’m worried about how much this’ll cost. I have five hundred bucks saved from my tips, but if it goes over…”
“Ask Michelle to lend you the cash.”“No way. Remember what happened when you asked for an advance? She flipped out.”
“That’s because she knew I went to Bellingham and blew my money on clothes and booze. Besides, you could pay her back with your tips.”
Yeah, what Amy said was true. As much as she didn’t want to ask, if it came down to her pride or her son’s health, there was no choice—Ike’s well being won out over everything else. She’d wait and see what the damage was before she asked.
Katherine shrugged. “I’ll think about it. Anyway, I better get going. I’ll see you Mon--”
Amy crossed her arms over her chest. “Oh, for shit sakes, Kat. Do you want me to ask Michelle for you?”
“Ask me what?”Katherine’s head wiped toward the entrance. Oh shit.The door banged shut behind their boss. She strolled across the dingy carpet and grabbed a tuna fish sandwich from the fridge. She sat at the table and cocked an ashy brown eyebrow at them. “Well?”
Heart pounding like a drummer revved up on caffeine and speed, Katherine tried to speak, but no sound came out. She’d worked for Michelle the past eight years and she respected the hell out of her boss, but she was also afraid of her. “Ah…nothing.”
Amy elbowed passed her. “Katherine has to take Ike to the dentist and she’s worried about how much it’ll cost.”
Grabbing her friend’s arm, Katherine tugged her back. “Amy--”
“She has some money saved, but it may cost more,” Amy blurted out.
Oh crap, now you’ve done it. Thanks a lot. Katherine wished she could shrink down to the size of an ant and scurry to safety.
Michelle remained quiet as she methodically chewed her sandwich. Her steel gray eyes bore into Katherine. “Amy, don’t you have customers to serve?”
Amy touched Katherine’s shoulder. “I’ll see you Monday.”
Yeah, if Michelle doesn’t can my ass first.
The door closed softly behind Amy’s retreating back, leaving Katherine alone with her boss whose harsh expression warned of the impending storm brewing inside her stocky frame.
Her knees trembled so bad Katherine was afraid she’d crumple like a rag doll.
“How much do you need?” Michelle asked.
Katherine’s pride so wanted to say she needed nothing. She’d learned early on not to rely on others. Her extremely religious parents taught her that lesson well when they disowned her for dancing with the Devil as they called it after she got pregnant out of wedlock.
But this wasn’t about her. It was about her son. She swallowed her pride and glanced at the floor before bringing her gaze back to her boss’s scrutinizing glare. “I’m not sure. I won’t know until after Wednesday’s appointment.”
The fridge in the corner clicked on, the hum loud in the uneasy silence.
Michelle took another bite of her sandwich, her square jaw clenched and unclenched as she chewed. “When you find out, let me know. Once I know how much I’ll be lending you, I’ll work out a payment plan.”
Katherine blew out a relieved breath. She’d half expected her boss to point to the door and tell her to get her worthless ass out of her sight. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. I’ll lend you the difference only because you remind me of myself, except my fucking family washed their hands of me because I’m a lesbian.” Michelle stood, tossed the rest of her sandwich in the trash, and walked to the door.
Katherine’s cheeks burned as Michelle’s words brought back memories of the embarrassing spectacle she’d made of herself at her job interview eight years ago. She had been alone, scared, and penniless in a new city with a two year old to feed.
And since she had no waitressing experience, Michelle had been about to say no. Strained beyond the point of snapping and with no pride left, Katherine had broken down and told Michelle the whole sordid story in hopes she’d take pity on her. Which she did to Katherine’s surprise.
Her boss tugged the door open, but didn’t leave. She turned to Katherine, her bushy eyebrows pulled low. “But instead of melending you the cash, you should find that low-life bastard who fathered your son and haul his ass into court and sue him for past child support.”
The face of her one and only lover filled her mind. The picture was so clear it was as if he stood in front of her: eyes the color of a summer sky, black hair, brushing wide shoulders. Straight nose, strong jaw, and a smile that had stripped away her common sense.
Five glorious months they spent together—five months spent falling in love.
Her hands knotted into fists as anger and hatred collided in her gut; the force of the raw emotions made her nauseous.
If she ever saw Kal again she’d knock his teeth down his throat and kick him in the balls so hard he wouldn’t be able to seduce and lie to a woman again like he had to her ten years ago.

Sample of Prophecy's Child

Prophecy's Child



Friday, November 08th, 5:30pm
Kal leaned back in his La-Z-Boy recliner and mouthed the word fuck as his mother’s voice droned on and on from the other end of his cell phone. He had to hand it to her, she was getting damn good with a hammer. With each word uttered, she tried to bang another nail into his bachelor coffin.
But he held his own…sort of.
“Did you get the package I sent you?” his mother asked. Her rich French accent was thick. Her voice brought back memories of when she sang to him and his older brother when they were young, growing up in France.
“Oui," Kal replied back. "The cookies were good. Thanks.” He knew she didn’t give a shit about the cookies. What she wanted to know were his thoughts on the photos.
He glanced at his lap. Four glossy pictures of vampire women stared back at him. All head shots, all airbrushed to perfection. Flipping them over, he almost laughed out loud when he saw they were complete with each woman’s stats. Just like all the rest his mother had sent him over the last three years.
“What about the sweater?” She asked. “Does it fit?”
Kal sighed and shoved the photos back in the manila envelope. “Mom, just ask me what you want to ask me.”
Silence met his ear before she cleared her throat. “Sweetheart, I’m only thinking of you and your future—the future of our house. You need an heir and I’d like to hold a grandchild before I leave this earth.”
Yep, here comes the guilt.
When he didn’t reply, she continued, “I’m already four hundred and thirty two.”
Shit. She’s pulling out all the stops this time.“You’re still young. And I will get married and give you grandchildren, just not right now.”
“You know how quickly life changes—how loved ones are here one day, and then gone the next.”
Pain knotted Kal’s gut. He knew exactly who she was referring to. His father and brother had been killed sixty years ago in a demon raid, but the ache was still fresh. And since he was a warrior, his days were numbered. For all he knew, he could be whacked tonight.
“You’re all I have left, Kal. I love you and want you to be happy. I also want to know you, your father, and brother will live on through your children. Is that too much to ask?”
Kal picked at the duct tape holding in the stuffing on the frayed armrest of his green and yellow recliner. What the hell could he say to that? He loved his mother dearly and knew she still suffered the loss of her mate and first born son.
And since he was the head of the household it was his duty to marry and produce not only an heir to his house, but sire future warriors for the war between vampires and demons.
The problem was he wanted more than the cold marriage of obligation which was the norm for vampires. Rarely did his kind marry for love—although if the couple were lucky, love could grow between them like it had between his squad leader, Roarik and his wife, Celeene.
“Kal? Are you still there?” His mother’s voice broke through his thoughts.
“Ah, yeah. I’m here.” The words duty and responsibility swirled through his mind. He stood, knocking the manila envelope to the floor. The pictures spilled out, mocking him further. Duty. Responsibility. Marriage. Pick me, No, pick me!
Kal rubbed the back of his tight neck, trying to relieve his tension. Fuck tension, more like panic. He needed to get off the phone and split from the base for awhile and think. “Hey, mom. I’ve gotta go. I’ll call you later.”
“All right, sweetheart, but can you do one thing for me?”
Now what? “Sure.”
“Can you at least give what we talked about serious consideration? The females I’ve picked out are all worthy of you. Their bloodlines are impeccable.”
Impeccable and beautiful, but he was in no hurry to be trapped in a loveless marriage with some snooty, high society female just for the sake of reproducing. He wanted a marriage based on love not necessity.
Fuck, he was such a chick.
Kal cleared his throat. “I will. I’ll seriously think about…” He swallowed. “Marriage.” Same answer he gave every time they had this discussion, except this time he meant it. He couldn’t put it off much longer. Better to get it over with.
“Thank you, son. I love you.”
“Love you too, mom. Au revoir.”
He closed his phone. His fingers curled around the warm plastic and he drew his arm back, ready to launch the thing against the wall. Watching it smash to a million pieces might help demolish his frustrations.
Then he’d have to buy a new phone. And programming all the numbers was a pain in the ass. Instead he dropped it into the back pocket of his jeans.
Kal grabbed his remote off the coffee table and aimed it at his TV. The video game he’d been playing before his mother called was still paused on the fifty-two inch screen. Without saving his progress, he shut off the gaming system and the television. He scooped up the scattered photos and shoved them back in the envelope. As they slid inside, the flash of long black hair caught his attention.
He slowly extracted the picture. Light green eyes, surrounded by dark lashes stared back at him. Pale skin. Pouty lips. The facial features, although perfect, were all wrong. But the hair was the same as hers.
Kal stroked the cheek of the vampire woman in the photo, but it wasn’t her soft skin he pretended to feel. It was a human woman he’d known years ago.

Angels and Demons Blog Hop Winners

Before I announce the winners of the Angels and Demons blog hop, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for stopping by my site and leaving me a comment. I truly appreciate it.

Without further yapping from me, here are the winners.

Kindle Touch Winner: #1291 from I Smell Sheep: Stephanie Huff
Amazon $60 Gift Card Winner: #4695 from Dani Harper's Blog: Drake
The  winner of the $5 gift card from Amazon goes to Pam (pammiesuttonmcreynolds@yahoo.com)

Thank you all!

Angel And Demon Blog Hop

Before we start, I want to let you know there are two grand prizes up for grabs from this entire blog hop and there will be two winners chosen, so make sure you hop and comment and leave your e-mail address on as many blogs as you can. ONE winner will receive a Kindle Touch & ONE winner will receive a $60 Amazon or Barnes&Noble Gift Card.  Good luck to you all.

And also I'll be giving away a $5 Amazon gift card to one commenter. 
When I first saw this blog hop advertised I thought,  I HAVE to be a part of this!  The foundation of my paranormal romance series-- The Prophecy Series --is built around angels and demons. You could say I have an angel on one shoulder and a demon on the other...okay, okay, I won't go that far.
Another major reason this blog hop was a must for me is because my favorite TV show EVER is Supernatural. It features sexy angels,  sinful demons,and two hot guys fighting evil...did I say BEST SHOW EVER? 


Speaking of angels, how do you feel about them? How do you perceive them?



I've been raised to believe angels  are the picture of perfection in not only looks, but in spirit--the epitome of kindness and warmth. And I'm sure most of us have heard of Guardian Angels .And hey, remember the show Touched by an Angel? Micheal Landon and the other angels made me cry so many times. T.B.A.A was such a touching show. Do any of you remember a movie called Micheal starring John Travolta as the Arch Angel Micheal? LOL, he was rude and a total pig.



So if you're like me, then you probably think of angels as the good guys and demons as the evil doers. But my theories have changed a little over the years. Maybe angels aren't as perfect as we'd like to think. Lord knows I've seen enough shows/movies where angels were portrayed as cold, emotionless creatures who cared nothing about us humans and our woes. 
What about demons? How do you feel about them? 

When I see or hear the word demon I think of movies such as The Exorcist, Dameon, and Amityville Horror.  I picture demons to look similar to the Balrog from J.R.R Tolkien's Lord Of The Rings--Fellowship of the Ring or have red, leathery skin with horns and sharp teeth and breath that smells rotten. In essence I see demons as cruel, evil monsters that enjoy nothing more than to torture humans.  But thanks to romance novels, my perception of demons is changing.  In fact, in some of the books I've read demons were downright SEXY! 
In Love's Prophecy , book 1 in The Prophecy Series    I have taken all different beliefs and theories about The Creator, angels, demons, humans, and vampires and I have introduced a new spin on how all five fit together.  

So in honor of this ANGELS and DEMONSblog hop, I'm going to list a few of the supernatural beings found throughout my series.    
The Creator. The Creator resides in The Sacred Dimension. He is responsible for the creation of all life. After years of loneliness, he decided to make children: angels and humans.  Lucifer and Vampier are two of His angels. They are featured in my series. 
Vampier Vampier is a wonderful craftsman and his greatest desire is to create life. But that is not only forbidden, it's theoretically impossible since The Creator only allows angels to create what He desires, and The Creator is the only being with the power to bring forth life. Yet in secret Vampier made children of his own, which are known as vampires.  
LuciferLucifer is said to be the most beautiful angel and the most eager to learn. In fact, his beauty and brilliance was rivaled only by that of The Creator. Some even say he was The Creator's favorite. In the beginning, Lucifer worshiped his father and desired to be just like Him.If you're curious and would like to learn more about Lucifer and get a more detailed look into his mind, check out my website: http://www.brendamdyer.com/apps/blog
HumansHumans, The Creator's second children. We are made in the image of angels and share many of their personality traits. The Earth was made specifically to be our home.
VampiresVampires are the children of  Vampier. He didn't have the knowledge or power to create from his own design so he copied The Creator's children. In essence, Vampires were once human.
Demons Demons were created by Lucifer. Their twisted, horrible appearance is because they were made with all Lucifer's cruelty, jealousy, and pride. And for this reason they use human bodies to house their spirits while on Earth.
My question to you is which do you prefer? Angels or demons? And why?
Don't forget to leave your e-mail address for a chance to win one of two grand prizes and a chance to win a $5 dollar Amazon gift card from me.
Here is an excerpt from Love's Prophecy. In this scene Mel and Kal--vampires--are hunting demons. And this particular demon has info Mel needs...Warning: viewer discretion is advised; contains language not suitable for everyone.
Excerpt:
As soon as he and Kal took form in the alley's entrance, Mel scanned the scene. It was nothing more than a dark narrow strip between two tall structures. A blue dumpster and a stack of flattened cardboard boxes were shoved against one wall. Standing in the center of the space, a thin male demon with spiky blond hair spun around. Its black eyes widened with surprise. What little light the alleyway provided, danced off the many earrings in its ears.
Recognition slapped Mel. His rage intensified.
The demon-bitch's sidekick.
A young human male, no more than seventeen or eighteen, shoved a baggy down the front of his dirty blue jeans and turned to run. Kal grabbed the kid from behind and spun him around. With their faces close together, Kal stared into the boy's eyes until he went limp, falling into a deep sleep.
Once Mel knew the kid was passed out, he chased the demon fleeing toward the back of the alley. It dove, grasped a hold of the chain link fence, and tried to scramble up.
He jumped and grabbed the back of the demon's gray suede coat, yanked it down, then locked a forearm around its throat; his dagger pressed tight under its chin.
“The she-demon, where is she?” Mel jerked his arm tighter.
A strangled croak came from the demon as it tried to pry loose.
As he leaned closer, the putrid essence of the demon's sweat assaulted him. The stench almost made him gag. He tightened his hold. His desire to snap its neck almost overcame him. It took all his will to stay his rage.
Loud gasps came from the creature and its face turned blue.
Mel eased his grip slightly, but pushed the tip of his blade higher. “Where is she?”
The demon coughed. “I…I don't…know.”
The dagger's point broke through the tender flesh under the creature's chin. “I'm warning you, if you don't—”
Laughter shook the demon's body. “You'll what, vampire? You have no leverage. You're going to kill me no matter what.”
“True, but I can make your death less painful. Your choice.”
“Ah, slayer, you're a fool. Where I'm going, no amount of pain you inflict will come close to what's waiting for me. Do your worst, but know this, she will find your little whore. And when she does, the human's screams of agony will be heard for miles. And if she catches you too, you'll be bound with your eyes taped open so you can watch the torture—”
The words shoved aside Mel's sanity. Black rage filled every corner of his mind. His arm squeezed as he lifted the demon off the ground. Its legs flailed, its mouth opened, trying to suck in air.
“Just kill the fucker,” Kal yelled. “The maggot sack isn't going to tell you anything.”
Mel lowered the male until its feet just touched the pavement. “Tell me where the fuck she is!”
The demon wheezed as it drew in oxygen. “F…fuck…you.”
With a sharp twist, he snapped its neck. The demon dropped to the ground, twitching, but still breathing.
Kal plunged his dagger into the heart. A black mass seeped out of its open mouth and the body exploded into dust.
Love's Prophecy is available on Amazon for kindle and in paperback.
I hope you enjoyed my excerpt. And thank you so much for stopping by my site.Don't forget to leave your e-mail address!

Crazy Interview

Melissa Limoges interviewed me. Stop by and find out what I would do if there was a zombie apocalypse.

http://chitsuen.blogspot.com/2012/06/interview-with-brenda-dyer.html

Everything For Nothing

EVERYTHING FOR NOTHING

     The scorching mid July sun beat down on Cynthia Chalmers bent head and back. Beads of sweat rolled between her shoulder blades and breasts. Her arms burned from the exertion of swinging the Weed Eater back and forth through the long, thick grass. The sweet smell of the fresh cut lawn wafted around her, and dandelion fluff kicked up by the whirling string, tickled her nose.
     Over the high pitched drone of her machine, the roar of a revving engine caught her attention. She glanced up, shielding her eyes against the glaring sun.
     A burgundy Durango sped down her quiet dead-end street, just outside the city limits of Vancouver. The deep thump of bass from a rap song blasted through the ground, up her legs and throughout her body.
     She leaned wearily against the handle of the Weed Eater and eyed the Durango as it turned into the driveway of the one-level house across from hers. Dust swirled from the tires, momentarily blocking her view. Then the dust cleared.
     Angus.
     She stared as the driver's door opened and he stepped out. Her heart slammed against her ribs and she straightened.
     Wow. He looked sexy today. But then again, when didn't he?
     He wasn’t overly tall, maybe five-foot ten, with broad shoulders that tapered down to a perfect behind. Muscular calves bulged below his knee-length tan shorts. The sun turned his dark brown hair to a bright mahogany.
     Angus turned, catching her staring. White teeth flashed as he smiled. “Well, hello there.”  He walked towards her, eying her up and down.
     Heat suffused her face as his dark brown eyes devoured her. Embarrassed to be caught gawking, she glanced down at her stained gray sweat-pants tucked into green gumboots, and her worn-out blue T-shirt.
Why does he have to talk to me when I look a mess? Her hand went to her hair, self-conscious of the sweaty disorder she knew it was.
     “I'm having a little get together later. Why don't you and Jack swing by?” he said. “Or maybe you should leave Jack at home this time.” He leaned in and his spicy cologne engulfed her, blocking the scent of the grass. With his lips less than an inch from her ear, he whispered, “You might have more fun without him around.”
     Her heart came to a sputtering halt and then picked up speed. Is he flirting with me? Her eyes moved to his face. It was hard to tell. But she had caught him staring before. And he was always telling her his friends thought she was hot. But did he?
     Cynthia cleared her dry throat and wiped her hands on her pants. “Ah, sure. What time should we come over?”
     He shrugged. “Around six.” He turned, heading back across the street. “Hopefully I'll see ya later.”
     Cynthia packed up her Weed Eater and walked up her long driveway. She was elated. But then the bottom dropped from her stomach. What about Jack? He was no fun at parties. He didn't like to drink, and while he didn't say it, she knew he didn't like her drinking.
     Well, too bad. She was sick of never having any fun. She was a grown woman, and he was her husband, not her father.
     “Jack,” she called as she stepped through the back door.
     “I'm in the den.”
     After dusting off bits of grass, she then wandered through the living room to the small back room they called a den. She sat on the edge of Jack's big oak desk. “Angus invited us over tonight. He's having a party.”
     “What's new?” Jack glanced up from his paperwork. He removed his glasses and rubbed his pale green eyes. Eyes that once sparked excitement in her, but now they just seemed . . . old, which should have been amusing since at thirty-nine he was a year younger than she. “I can't. I have an early meeting with the contractor for the condos I start siding next week.” A tight smile lifted his lips. “But you go ahead if you want.”
     Yeah right. Judging by his smile he didn't want her going. Well, I am. I'm sick ofhanging around here, waiting for life to happen. She'd been doing that for nineteen years.                                                                                                                                                              Jack had started his successful siding company ten years ago. When their two sons were small, she'd begged him to take more time off, and he promised to do so once his business grew. Well, his business was flourishing and the kids were now teenagers, and he still worked almost every day.
     She dropped her gaze to the floor. “I don't know. I might go.” She slid to her feet. “I'm going to start dinner.”
     He grabbed her hand as she walked past. “Do you want to rent a movie tonight?”
     Same old guilt trip. She shrugged and headed out the door. “We'll see.”
     Two hours later, Cynthia looked up from her plate of spaghetti when a small black truck speeding into Angus's driveway came to a dusty stop.
     “Looks like Angus' get together is gearing up to be another rager of a party,” Jack commented.
     From under her lashes, she glanced at her husband's familiar face, a face that at one time she had found handsome. In a way, she still did. His dark hair--peppered with gray--was cut short, respectable. His face was relatively unchanged but for laugh lines around his mouth and eyes and he kept in excellent shape, working out at the gym two nights a week.
     She should feel happy she was married to him. And for the most part she did. He was an excellent father and provider. So why was she so unhappy?
     Maybe because we actmore like roommates than husband and wife? They never did anything together. And with their kids doing their own things, they should be out enjoying themselves. But no, he either had to work or he was too tired.
     What was lacking in her life was excitement, companionship . . . love.
     She recalled when they were first dating. Just the sight of Jack's tall, muscular body had been enough to start her heart slamming. But now? Now he was Mr. Workaholic who when home liked nothing more than to plunk himself in front of the TV until bedtime. And when she brought this to his attention, his comeback was always the same. “I work hard all day. I'm tired.”
     Like she didn't work hard? Granted, her job at Ol' Time Florists wasn't physically demanding, but it was still draining. And when she got home she had to start dinner, put the laundry on and tidy the house. And on her days off she had the grocery shopping, bill paying and yard work to take care of.
     “I hope it's not as out of control as it was last week,” Jack said, pulling her mind back to the present. “Believe me, I will call the cops this time.” He stood and carried his empty plate into their small kitchen.
     Ignoring him, she propped her elbows on the table and rested her chin in her hands. From her vantage point, she watched the laughing partygoers milling around Angus's front yard like ants, excited for another night of booze and loud music.
     Every Friday evening was the same. Same time. Same people.
     She smiled as the group got reacquainted with one another; back slapping, elbow nudging, high fives. The girls stood in tight groups, giggling with their low cut tops and tight shorts, displaying their supple young bodies.
     The ritual reminded her of dogs greeting each other. The image in her mind almost made her laugh.
     “Last week they kept me up until four in the morning.” Jack shook his head. “You'd think he would skip the party for once and clean up his damn yard. That pile of wood has been there since October.”
     Laughing, Cynthia grabbed her plate and set it on the counter. “Yeah, but a clean yard doesn't concern him.”
     She busied herself scooping leftover spaghetti into a Tupperware container, trying to plan her escape. No matter what, Jack would be annoyed if she went to Angus's party. So the best option was to just tell him.
     She poured herself a coffee and sat back down at the dining room table while her husband watched the evening news in the living room. Another routine she felt stifled by, especially since their two sons, Nick, seventeen and Jared, sixteen, were out with friends. They were growing up so fast and they didn't need her as they once did. And as she watched them grow it reminded her she was aging.
     Middle age, she thought with a sullen sigh. Such a strange time in a person's life; a time to reflect, a time to look back and wonder where the hell life had gone. A time that can fill you with an urgency to change what you don't like before time ran out. A time when all that once made you happy ceased to do so.
     Angus stepped out his front door, catching her attention. He clapped one of his buddies on the back before he accepted a beer. He downed the contents and crushed the can before tossing it into the knee-high grass of his front lawn.
     Her heart skipped a beat and she sighed. No doubt about it, he was one handsome man. And she had a crush on him ever since he moved in across the street two years ago.
     She surged to her feet and set her mug on the counter. “Well, I'm going to get changed.”
     Jack pushed the mute button on the remote. “What?”
     She stopped and glanced at him over her shoulder. “I'm going to Angus's. I told you I was.”
     Anger flushed his face. He turned up the volume on the T.V. “Whatever.”
     Cynthia shook her head and walked into her bedroom. After changing into a pair of jean Capri pants and a tight red T-shirt, she brushed out her long brunette hair and fixed her make-up. When she was done, she gazed at her face with a critical eye. With her make-up applied just right, the small wrinkles around her eyes were almost invisible.
     She grabbed a light jacket and headed through the living room to the back door. “I'll be home  soon.”
     Jack gazed at her with a smirk. “Are you wearing that?”
     She glanced down at herself. “What's wrong with what I'm wearing?”
     He looked away and laughed. “You look like a forty-year old woman trying to be twenty. Pathetic.”
     Tears welled in her eyes. She swiped them away, and at that moment, she almost hated him. “Whatever. I'll see you later.” She shoved her feet into her sandals and opened the door.
     “I'll be in bed,” Jack murmured.
     Tell me something Idon't know. She slammed the door.          As Cynthia made her way across the street, she followed the steady beat of the music, mixed with shouts, laughter, and talking to Angus's back yard. She spotted him leaning against his patio. The moment their eyes met, a knot formed in her stomach. A slow smile transformed his handsome face into something breath taking. He excused himself and walked towards her.
      “I'm glad you made it.” He glanced behind her. “Where's Jack?”
     “He's not coming. He's tired.”
     He grabbed her and pulled her flush to his body, wrapping strong arms around her back. The feel of his hard muscles and their lower bodies pressed tight together sent a heated rush through her. His spicy, masculine scent filled her senses. She stepped back and quickly glanced in the direction of her house. From Angus' back yard, Jack wouldn't be able to see her.
     “Come join us.” Angus draped an arm around her shoulders and steered her towards the crowd. Before she could feel out of place, they all shouted a warm greeting.
     Cynthia accepted a beer and joined in the lively conversation. Angus never left her side.She glanced around the crowd, looking for April, his young girlfriend, but she was nowhere to be found.
      Cynthia turned to Angus. “Where's April? Is she at work?”                                                                                                                                                               He led her away from the main body of his friends and grabbed two beers out of a cooler, and then sat down on it. He tugged her down beside him and handed one to her. “We split up.” He cracked the tab on his can and took a drink.
     “I'm sorry to hear that.” And for the most part she was, but she couldn't deny the feeling of  happiness underneath.
     He turned to her. “She wanted more than I was willing to give her.”
     Her gaze explored his face. He didn't seem too upset. “Are you okay?”
     He smiled. “Sure. It was coming for a long time.”
     “Well, anyway, I'm sorry you split up.”
     His smile vanished as he stared at her lips. “I'm not.” He ran his knuckles gently over her cheek. “Can I tell you something?”
     Suddenly nervous, she swallowed. “Sure.”
     He leaned closer until his forehead rested against hers. “I've had a crush on you since I met you.”
     Cynthia was speechless. Stunned. “You have?” she whispered, her voice squeaking.
     He pulled back a little, his teeth flashed as his lips curled up into a wide grin. “Yep. You're a very sexy woman.”
     Pleasure rushed through her like a flame burning along a line of gunpowder. She searched his eyes to see if he was teasing.
     His warm breath and whispered words filled her ears. “I've thought about what it would be like to kiss you.”
      Every cell in her body flared to life as his words filtered into her brain. Before she could answer, one of his friends called out. “Hey Angus. Come tell Alex how Luke broke his jaw.”
     “I'll be right there.” Angus picked up his beer can and rose. He bent close to her again. “Don't go anywhere.”
     She could only nod her answer; her tongue was glued to the roof of her dry mouth. He sauntered across the patio to his waiting friends.
     Does he really have a crush on me?The thought sent warmth to her cheeks. She gulped down the rest of her beer, trying to squelch the heat.
     Cynthia ran her left hand along her thigh. Her wedding ring caught the sun's rays and flashed. All of a sudden, guilt burrowed its way into her gut like a worm tunneling into an apple. It felt like prying eyes were watching her, judging her. She checked out the crowd, but no one paid her any attention. If anyone thought the interest Angus was showing her was inappropriate, they weren't letting on.
     Cynthia set her empty can down and walked into the kitchen. Three girls sat around his table playing cards. She nodded a greeting on her way to the washroom.
     Once inside, she gazed at her reflection in the mirror above the sink. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes sparkled with new life. No denying it, he made her feel young and pretty . . . desirable. Three things she hadn't felt for so long.
     She fluffed her hair and smiled at her reflection. There was no reason to feel guilty. He said he had a crush on her. So what? It wasn't like they were going to act on it. 
    She pulled the door open and stepped into the hallway. She halted. Angus leaned nonchalantly against the wall. Her heart fluttered while his eyes traveled slowly down her body and back to her face.
     “I was waiting for you.” He stepped closer, rubbing a callused hand up and down her arm before his fingers curled around her wrist. She glanced over her shoulder towards the kitchen, but from this angle it and its occupants were hidden. No one was there to witness their behavior. He tugged her into his small living room and sat down, pulling her with him. His arms went around her waist and he buried his face against her neck. “You smell good.”
     Desire bloomed in her like a flower opening to the sun's rays. He turned her face until their lips were mere inches apart. “I'm going to kiss you before the night ends.” His eyes locked with hers.
     “Are you cool with that?”
     She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Licking dry lips, she tried once more to speak. “I . . . I don't . . .”
     The revving of a car's engine and the crunch of gravel under tires got their attention. Angus set her on her feet and he moved to the window. He pulled the curtains back and looked out. “Yeah,” he shouted, raising a fist in the air. “Big Johnny is here.” He turned to her. “I'll be back in a minute.” And then he rushed out the door.
     Cynthia's legs shook so hard she sagged onto the couch and held a hand over her racing heart. That was close. She had been about to give into her desires and kiss him. And she had been afraid it wouldn't have stopped there.                                                                                                                                                                Heaving a frustrated sigh, she pushed herself off the couch and headed back outside. She stepped through the door looking for Angus, but there was no sign of him. Someone had started a small bonfire and it blazed cheerfully, shoving aside the gloom of early evening. She picked a cold beer from the cooler and went to stand with the others crowded around the flames.
     She finished her second beer, and then looked at her wristwatch. 9:10pm. Where was Angus? He’d been missing for over an hour. 
     Cynthia excused herself from the conversation and went to look for him. She walked into the kitchen, but it was empty so she headed toward the living room. 
     From the hallway, she heard a girl giggle and then ask, “Angus, what about April? She's my friend.”
     “Screw her. I've had a crush on you since I met you,” Angus whispered back.
      Cynthia's blood turned to ice. She inched closer and slowly peeked around the corner. Angus sat on the couch, and straddling his lap was a young woman with beautiful skin and long blond hair. Her arms were draped over his shoulders while he nuzzled her neck. “I've thought about kissing you for so long,” he murmured against her skin. The girl tilted her head back, giving him better access.
     “Well, what are you waiting for?” she replied.
      Bile rose up in Cynthia's throat. With her hands covering her mouth, she ran into the kitchen. She slumped down at the table while hot tears spilled over her lashes and down her cheeks.
     She sniffed, feeling miserable. What a slime-ball. How could he kiss another woman . . . Her thoughts trailed off as she realized she had no right to the jealousy that gnawed at her. And in a blinding flash, she saw Angus for who he truly was: a thirty-five year old, immature playboy who cared for nothing and nobody but himself. A man who had no idea what it meant to love another or what it took to be in a committed, long lasting relationship.
     Her head dropped until her forehead rested against the cool wood of his table. Shame over her behavior engulfed her. She’d been acting just like him, had been thinking of no one but herself and her own wants and desires. She blamed Jack for all the problems in their marriage because it was easier than looking at her own faults. It took two to make a relationship work and she had been neglecting hers for years.
     In a flurry of movement, she jumped up and all but flew out the door. Blinded by her tears and the dark, she ran across the street.
    “Whoa. What's the matter?”
     Cynthia skidded to a stop in the gravel of her driveway. Her hands pressed against her chest, trying to stop her galloping heart. “Jack?”
     “Yeah, it’s me. Hey, what's going on? You were running like you saw a ghost?” 
      As he walked towards her, the moonlight flashed off his glasses. She dried her cheeks with trembling hands. “What . . . why are you still up?” Her voice was thick with unshed tears and guilt.
     He ran a hand through his dark hair and sighed. “I couldn't sleep. I felt horrible.”                                                                                                                                                             “About what?”
     The clearing of his throat was loud in the quiet darkness. “What I said earlier. I didn't mean it. You looked beautiful.” He clasped her hands and brought them to his lips. “You always look beautiful. I was jealous.”
     She stared at him. And for the first time in ages she saw the man she had married. The man she loved. He had always been there, just hidden under responsibilities, worries and life. And her love for him had never left. It too had been hidden under life's worries and the day-to-day grind.
     Suddenly, she jumped into his arms and hugged him to her. “Jack,” she whispered against his chest. “I love you. I'm so sorry. I have been acting horribly.”
     His arms tightened around her, pulling her to his hard warmth. “God, Cynthia. I love you so much. Things are going to change. I'm going to change. I realize I have been neglecting you and the boys.”
     She pulled back in his arms and framed his face with her hands. “You're not the only one. I’ve been neglecting you--neglecting us. But no more.”
     His lips found hers in the dark and she kissed him back, a kiss full of love and new beginnings.
     He rested his forehead against hers. “Let's go in.”
     Cynthia linked her fingers with his as they walked up their driveway. She had come so close to crossing the line, but luckily she had escaped. The love of her life had always been in front of her; she had just been too blind and selfish to see him. She would forever remember how close she came to  giving up everything for nothing. 

When I joined my critique group…

…was the scariest thing I’ve done since finding out I was pregnant in my senior year of high school.
Joining a critique group is the number one answer to the interview question, “What advice do you have for aspiring writers?”  It was also the best thing I could have done.
It’s scary because I put myself out there for people I didn’t know to judge and offer advice on the story I spent eight months writing. A story I was proud of because I finished it, HEA (happily ever after) and all. But I got past my fear and joined Rom-Critters and posted my chapters. Let me tell you the pages came back colorful. J But the comments weren’t negative. They were informative and encouraging. Yes, there was a lot of “This is data dump, delete it.” I still data dump. Can’t help it, its part of my draft process. Oh and then there was telling verses showing. I was like WTF is that?  But everyone offered me suggestions that helped. They told me what worked and what didn’t.
I learned so much from my CPs and I’m still learning more every day I write or talk to other authors.  So if you’re hesitating about joining a group, don’t. Just jump in with both feet. And remember the ALL authors started know nothing to very little.
My crit group is also where I discovered Decadent Publishing’s 1Night Stand series. I started reading the stories in the multi-author series and wanted to write one.  

  Ravished Before SunriseByLia Davis

Blurb:Born with the unusual ability to see what truly lies in the shadows, Emalee Black is stuck between two worlds, the paranormal and the human. Neither one accepts or understands her and she's forced to live a quiet, boring life in hiding. When her best friend mentions 1Night Stand dating service, Ema chooses a role-playing adventure straight out of her romantic fantasies. She's to hunt her very own vampire and have her wicked way him.
Vampire Darian Wyman is surprised when his daughter signs him up for a one-night stand with an exclusive matching agency. At first he's appalled by the idea, but as he reads the details of the date he becomes intrigued. For one night he will get away from the life he has long grown tired of to be hunted and captured by a would-be huntress. But he has plans of his own for his little vixen.
However, when Darian discovers the truth about Ema's inhuman abilities, the date could end before it gets started.



Excerpt
Darian logged into his email account. An unusual message flashed in his inbox. Madame Eve with 1Night Stand. Why did that sound familiar?
A vague recollection of his daughter mentioning the dating service two weeks before came to mind and he growled. God, please tell me she didn’t. He skimmed through the email and snatched the phone from the desk.
“Hello, Father.” A sweet and cheerful female voice answered after one ring.
“Where are you?”
“Shopping. Is there a problem?”
“You know anything about why I would receive a message from 1Night Stand?” He tried to stay calm and not overreact. The email could be a mistake. Maybe Kat had nothing to do with it.
“Oh! She found a match so soon? That’s great. You’ll have fun.”
Fun? “Katrina, I didn’t request to be set up on a date. I can’t go meet a complete stranger and….” he scanned the email again. “…and spend the night with her?”
“Oh, Daddy, please. This is my gift to you. Now be the adult and have fun.” Her sweet tone did nothing to soothe his growing annoyance.
“Kat….”
“I’m sick of you moping around the mansion. You need a change in your life. Besides, when was the last time you had sex?”

  Now available at Decadent Publishing | Amazon| ARe

About LiaLia Davis is a mother to two young adults and two very special, equally different kitty cats. She’s a wife to her soul mate, who drives her crazy during editing/revisions. She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid summers. But it’s her home and she loves it!
An accounting major, Lia has always been a dreamer with a very activity imagination. The wheels in her head never stop. She only recently became serious about publishing her work and loves it more than she imagined. Writing is a stress reliever that allows her to go off in her corner of the house and enter into another world she created, leaving the day job where it belongs.
Her favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties.
Website / Facebook/ Twitter / Goodreads