K.C. Stewart's Blog, page 12
June 10, 2014
Singe Excerpt
Hailey woke to a deep purring echoing in her ear. Her head was pounding as it always did when she ugly cried, and her eyes were so puffy she could barely open them. A hollowness filled her. There were no feelings or thoughts, those things just couldn’t exist inside her any longer.
The source of the purring shifted on her head and she caught a mouth full of fur. Pushing the animal off of her she sat up. It was a cat posed in such a way that made him seem somewhat regal. His ebony fur had a slick shine on all but the small white patch of fur on his chest. Hailey closed her eyes and rubbed a hand over them. Somehow this cat had made its way into her locked and guarded room to sleep on her head. When she opened her eyes again he was chiding her for moving with his yellow eyes. The cat looked at her as if she was an inferior species. At that moment, she almost believed it.“Um… sorry?” She told the cat. It blinked in what she could only guess was acknowledgment of her apology. Hailey patted the bed until she found the remote and opened the blinds she shared with Alex. He was awake and surprised to see her. The surprise quickly moved to pity as he took note of her appearance.“What is that?” Hailey pointed at the cat who glared at her finger.“Heh, that’s Boo.” He laughed and tapped the glass. Boo’s eyes moved from glaring at Hailey to choosing which murder plan he would go with for Alex. “Boo doesn’t like me, but I don’t think he likes anyone unless they have food in their hands.” At the mention of food Boo’s tongue slid out and gave a lick around his mouth. “Boo, really?” She said unimpressed. “That’s the most unoriginal name for a black cat ever.” The cat swished his tail in agreement. “Why not something like Dark Lord or Batman. Hell, Mr. Skittles would be a better name than Boo.”Alex chuckled. “I think if you called him Mr. Skittles he would disembowel you in your sleep.”Hailey glanced back at the cat. The death stare was now directed at her. “How did he get in here?” “He comes and goes as he pleases. Not really sure how he gets in, but he does. I personally think there is something a little supernatural about him, but Silas assures me he is just a normal cat.” The feline in question narrowed his eyes at the statement. Hailey wasn’t so sure he was just a cat either. Those eyes held more than thoughts of catnip, like world domination. “No one really knows if he is even Silas’s. We all just put up with him when he decides to show himself.” Hailey held out a hand and Boo looked as if to say, “What do you expect me to do with that?” She gave him a scratch under the chin and the purring began again.“Huh, seems like he does like someone after all.” Alex commented in awe as Boo stepped in closer to Hailey. After the novelty wore off of seeing the unofficial dungeon master get petted, Alex asked, “You ok?”“If by losing all sense of emotion is ok, then yes, I’m peachy.”“They could be wrong, the pictures that is. Maybe they were taken out of context.” Hailey picked up the picture of their first date that was on her nightstand and showed it to Alex. “He was kissing his ex-fiancé. There is only one context there and it was pretty fucking obvious.” “You’re right.” He held up his hands in defense. “It just smells like a setup to me.” She didn’t want a guy’s point of view at the moment. She wanted a girl who would insult his manhood and feed her chocolate. Boo nudged her hand when she had stopped petting him and gave her a look of “you’re done petting me when I say you’re done.” Instead of a girlfriend she had a Y chromosome and a cat with plans of world domination to sympathize with. Oh lucky her.
The source of the purring shifted on her head and she caught a mouth full of fur. Pushing the animal off of her she sat up. It was a cat posed in such a way that made him seem somewhat regal. His ebony fur had a slick shine on all but the small white patch of fur on his chest. Hailey closed her eyes and rubbed a hand over them. Somehow this cat had made its way into her locked and guarded room to sleep on her head. When she opened her eyes again he was chiding her for moving with his yellow eyes. The cat looked at her as if she was an inferior species. At that moment, she almost believed it.“Um… sorry?” She told the cat. It blinked in what she could only guess was acknowledgment of her apology. Hailey patted the bed until she found the remote and opened the blinds she shared with Alex. He was awake and surprised to see her. The surprise quickly moved to pity as he took note of her appearance.“What is that?” Hailey pointed at the cat who glared at her finger.“Heh, that’s Boo.” He laughed and tapped the glass. Boo’s eyes moved from glaring at Hailey to choosing which murder plan he would go with for Alex. “Boo doesn’t like me, but I don’t think he likes anyone unless they have food in their hands.” At the mention of food Boo’s tongue slid out and gave a lick around his mouth. “Boo, really?” She said unimpressed. “That’s the most unoriginal name for a black cat ever.” The cat swished his tail in agreement. “Why not something like Dark Lord or Batman. Hell, Mr. Skittles would be a better name than Boo.”Alex chuckled. “I think if you called him Mr. Skittles he would disembowel you in your sleep.”Hailey glanced back at the cat. The death stare was now directed at her. “How did he get in here?” “He comes and goes as he pleases. Not really sure how he gets in, but he does. I personally think there is something a little supernatural about him, but Silas assures me he is just a normal cat.” The feline in question narrowed his eyes at the statement. Hailey wasn’t so sure he was just a cat either. Those eyes held more than thoughts of catnip, like world domination. “No one really knows if he is even Silas’s. We all just put up with him when he decides to show himself.” Hailey held out a hand and Boo looked as if to say, “What do you expect me to do with that?” She gave him a scratch under the chin and the purring began again.“Huh, seems like he does like someone after all.” Alex commented in awe as Boo stepped in closer to Hailey. After the novelty wore off of seeing the unofficial dungeon master get petted, Alex asked, “You ok?”“If by losing all sense of emotion is ok, then yes, I’m peachy.”“They could be wrong, the pictures that is. Maybe they were taken out of context.” Hailey picked up the picture of their first date that was on her nightstand and showed it to Alex. “He was kissing his ex-fiancé. There is only one context there and it was pretty fucking obvious.” “You’re right.” He held up his hands in defense. “It just smells like a setup to me.” She didn’t want a guy’s point of view at the moment. She wanted a girl who would insult his manhood and feed her chocolate. Boo nudged her hand when she had stopped petting him and gave her a look of “you’re done petting me when I say you’re done.” Instead of a girlfriend she had a Y chromosome and a cat with plans of world domination to sympathize with. Oh lucky her.
June 9, 2014
My alarm clock.
Meow.“What do you want?” I grumble opening an eye.
Meow.
“Go away.”
Meooow.
“Jacobie. Please. “
Meow?
Groaning, I roll over.
Meow.
"WHAT.”Meow.
I feel a nudge, a cold nose, then claws as he finagled his way under the blanket and walks across me.
“I hate you.”
Meow.
“Go away Jacobie.”
Licks my arm. Moves. Licks my leg. Moves. LICKS MY KNEE.
I laugh hysterically while wiggling around. “OH GOD! HA HA HA. STOP. HA HA HA HA.” He stops.
Meow.
“Fine. You win. I’m up. We’ll go watch Despicable Me 2.”
Crawls out from under the covers and runs from the room.
“Asshole.”
June 2, 2014
Singe Chapter 1
As I finalize the release date for Singe (mid july) I thought you might like a preview. This is not edited yet. So just kept that in mind when reading. Enjoy!
Chapter 1
“I don’t care who you are ma’am, no one is to enter.”
“Look Mr. Guard-who-thinks-he’s-god, I spent entirely too much time picking out my underwear for tonight for it to go unnoticed. I promise you,” she said reassuringly, “he is expecting me.”
“I hear that many times a day, Ms. Holloway. As I’ve said before, you need to leave now or I will be forced to call the police.”
Hailey let out a frustrated grunt. So far, date night was going splendidly. “Fine. It’s your head when Dak finds out why I stood him up for our date.”
“Have a nice night, Ms. Holloway.” She put her car in reverse and backed out into the street. Two hours of prepping and four different outfits just for her to sit in the driveway; next time he was coming to her.
Tonight was their third official date, the big one that held hopes of a sweaty dragon and tangled sheets. He had a shiny new body that needed to be taken for a drive. Hailey had been planning tonight in her head for days. After dinner and their sexcapades, she was going to tell him she loved him. It was long overdo on both their parts, but it felt right.
Or it did before she was denied entrance to his house.
The annoyingly protective guard came running toward her car. She braked to not run him over. Hailey was considering it her good deed for the week. The window on her car stuck on the way down like it always did at the most inopportune moments.
“Ms. Holloway! I’ve had orders to let you through.”
“Oh really? Gosh, I don’t know why. I mean, what would the big bad dragon up at the house want with little old me?” So maybe the sarcasm was laid on a little thick, but the guard’s blush was satisfying.
“The gate is open. Please pull around to the front.”
With a sweet smile Hailey gave her thanks and pulled back into the driveway, this time moving through the gates. The frosty November air poured through her half open window. The button did nothing but make a grinding noise when pushed.
“Gah! Why don’t you work?” She pounded on the window. “You worked when I bought you.” Hailey only had the car for a week and a half and it was already falling apart.
“Of course Dak couldn’t have a short driveway either.” She muttered while pulling her scarf up over her frozen nose and turning the heat on high. It did nothing but mix with the cold air, but at least she tried.
The house was set back on the property so not to be seen from the road. It was in typical Gladwyne fashion, that is, the old money of Philadelphia. Dak had stuck with the classic colonial look. Stone covered every inch of the three-story home. White shuttered windows glowed with a soft light, while the three chimneys puffed out smoke. It was beautiful and warm, not like many of the other stiff architecturally modern homes in the area.
Out front Dak waited. He wore a black, button down shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, the top few buttons undone. He was disheveled, or as much as he could ever be. Hailey loved when he wasn’t looking polished and perfect. His fingers were a blur as they flew across the screen of his phone. When her car came chugging along, his head lifted with a piece of his dark brown hair falling from its carefully pushed back position. His eyes lost their frustrated blaze as his amber gaze tracked her progress. Pocketing the phone, Dak walked around the car and leaned down over the open window.
“You’re late,” His voice said pissed, his face said amused.
Hailey stuck up her favorite finger while she turned off the car. He had the door open and a hand ready to help her out. To his surprise, she accepted his hand.
“You are frozen, too.”
“And you happen to be a living breathing heater.” Hailey wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled into his chest. A sigh of utter contentment echoed through her mind. He was warm. He was always warm. She missed having that warmth right inside her but loved the feel of it in her arms.
“Should we go inside or would you like to stand out here by your sad excuse of a car all evening?”
“Well, aren’t you the sweet talker.”
“Only for you.” He laughed.
The foyer was gloriously warm. She unwound the scarf, and then pulled off her gloves. Dak tugged on the ends of her hat and smiled. It had two braided ties that hung down with pompoms on the ends, and one giant fluff ball right on top. He removed it, leaving her hair flattened and static-y.
“Ah, there she is. I was beginning to wonder how many more layers you had on till I found my Hailey.”
She went a bit gooey inside with the way he said “my Hailey.” To distract him from the goofy grin on her face she pushed the coat into his hands and piled it with all her extras. “So, nice place you got here.”
“Hold that thought.” Dak retreated to another room with her belongings and was back in a second. His hands rested on her waist and pulled her towards him. A devious smile sent naughty thoughts to her girly bits. “I never got a proper greeting.” He kissed her like he always did, in a way that left her breathless and wobbly. She held on to his shoulders and accepted what he gave. His heat enveloped Hailey through the kiss, warming her down to her toes.
“Hellooo Nurse.” Hailey mumbled out a wolf whistle when her breath was her own again.
“Pardon?”
“Animaniacs.”
“Gesundheit?” He said with a grin.
“Hah. When I sneeze you will know it. Animaniacs is a cartoon and when I have to explain it all, it loses its fun. So, moving on.” Hailey grabbed his hand walked down the hall. She had no idea where she was going but she couldn’t stop now. At the first set of doorways, she chose left and went into the kitchen. Something was in the oven giving the air a warm season of oregano.
“Mmmmm, Italian?” Hailey asked while sniffing the air wishing she could eat it.
“Lasagna. Care for some wine? I thought we’d eat, then I can give you a full tour of the house.”
“Works for me.” Hailey settled herself on one of the barstools. To her surprise, Dak was comfortable in the kitchen; he moved around it with ease. The fact that he cooked for her was in itself beyond astonishing. None of her previous boyfriends ever did anything like that. The closest she got to a cooked meal was a frozen pizza or a box of mac and cheese.
Hailey frowned at the bottle of red wine he set on the counter next to the wine glasses. She was not a fan of red wine. It gave her headaches. But as Dak pulled the cork from the bottle, his arms flexed in way only a woman could appreciate, and Hailey forgot all about her dislike of the red wine variety.
Sometimes, when she looked at him, she still couldn’t believe he was real. Two months earlier she had saved Dak by inviting his essence into her. It was purely unintentionally done, but the best accident she could have asked for. They were Mates, and after a rough start, each of them had accepted their fate. One she wouldn’t trade for all the cookie dough at Tollhouse.
“You’re quiet. Something wrong?” Dak poured a glass of wine and corked the bottle.
“No. Just admiring.”
He switched the bottle with a white and gave her a wink. Smartass, she thought. Her glass was poured and he came around to her side of the counter, taking the stool next to her.
“What do you think of the place? I know you haven’t seen all of it yet, but of what you’ve seen, do you like?”
“It’s beautiful. I especially like the wood beams.” Hailey looked up to the dark exposed wooded beams running across the ceiling. They paired well with the cabinets of the same wood. Everything was so natural and rustic. “It’s so warm and homey. Not what I was expecting from this neighborhood.”
Dak sipped his wine and watched her. Hailey always felt so exposed when he did that. “I’m glad you like it.” He finally said. “Why don’t you go set up in the living room. We can eat by the fire.” A quick kiss and he was back on the other side of the counter, pulling the lasagna from the oven.
Hailey took their wine glasses into the next room. Two big, oversized green chairs opposed an equally large couch. She pictured herself sitting sideways in the chair with her feet hanging off of the arm, a slipper bouncing along with her foot. Her tea would be on the coffee table and every so often she would pat the table until she found her cup of warmth, never letting her eyes leave the page, and sip until she was warm both inside and out.
“I see you’ve found your spot.” Dak kissed her neck then moved past her with two plates. He set the food down on the coffee table and tossed a few pillows on the floor. Hailey got the idea and sat closest to the fire on the floor.
The food was delicious. The surroundings were cozy. The company was sexy as hell. Hailey leaned back into his chest as he told her of his day. The search for Silas was still on, but not as high on the list of shit to do. Lia’s sister, Chloe, had shown up with Detective Dane earlier that day. The dragon was not nearly as dead as everyone had previously thought. Chloe had taken him to a healer in Olympus but ran into complications getting him in and out. Dane had told him that they would have sent word, but keeping him alive was more important. Hailey couldn’t agree more, and it’s not like they would have been able to do anything with the knowledge anyway. Dak had set him up in one of the guest houses out back. Apparently, he had two.
“So, he’s ok?”
“As far as I can tell.” He wrapped his arms around Hailey’s waist. “He’s welcome to stay as long as he needs, and then I’ll find him something to do. Maybe head of security unless he wants something more low key.”
“And Silas?”
“Nothing. He’s hiding for the time being. Not sure why. That isn’t like him at all.” Almost as an afterthought he added “He’ll let us know when he wants to be found.”
“I still find it weird he was at the hospital, but didn’t do anything. He could have taken me at any point, but he didn’t. That’s weird, right?” Hailey twisted in his arms to look up at him.
“Yes.” He smiled and kissed her. “Would you like the tour now?”
She only really needed to know where the bedroom was. Everything else was inconsequential. “Yes, please.”
She had seen most of the first floor. He showed her the dining room, bathroom, and study before going upstairs. Hailey rushed him through it all. With each room she peeked her head in and said “Nice!” then kept moving. She could sense the change in him, but ignored it. Hailey figured he was just getting excited to show her the bedroom; she was definitely excited to see it.
After another ten minutes of rushing along, they ended up in the doorway of the master bedroom. Hailey looked like a five year old about to enter her first ball pit. Giddy and excited, she bounced into the room and gaped. It wasn’t the enormous bed with the carved dragon headboard, or the fireplace that took up an entire wall; it was the pictures of the two of them hung everywhere that had her dazed. Most of the photos she never even knew were taken. Hailey turned in a circle and took in every picture there. She was overflowing with love at that moment.
“Dak, I lo-“
“Let me guess. You like it? It’s nice?”
Oh, he’s grumpy. She thought. His arms crossed over his chest, he watched her with a scowl. “It’s beautiful.” She said sincerely with a smile. So maybe rushing through the tour wasn’t a great idea on her part.
He leaned with his arms crossed against the doorframe with a scowl etched into his brow, “Hailey, you will be sharing this house with me. So if there is something you don’t…what’s wrong?” He frowned. “What is it?”
“Living here? Me?”
“Yes, you are my Mate.” He said it so matter of factly that it raised her haunches.
“You didn’t think to ask me first. Just bang your chest and throw me over your shoulder while yelling MATE!”
“I didn’t think I needed to ask.” His voice was like steel, hard and cold. “Was I wrong in thinking that you wish to be with me?” Dak raised an eyebrow and watched her squirm.
“You know that’s not true. But how can I move in when we barely know each other?”
“I thought I proved you wrong on that point weeks ago.”
“Ok, so you know me,” she rolled her eyes, “but I don’t know you very well yet.” She knew random things but not the kind of stuff that comes with time. She was certain that if they were on the Newlywed Game they would lose horribly. Hailey worried her bottom lip between her teeth.
“What do you need to know that is imperative to moving in?”
“Your last name.” She immediately shot back.
Dak scowled. “You know that.”
“I don’t.”
“MacKenna. Dacea Renny Quinlan MacKenna. But, like all sept leaders, I only go by my first name. Is that all?”
She said it a few times in her head, letting her mind find familiarity with it. “No, that’s not all.” Hailey signed. “Dak, besides not knowing each other well we are skipping a vital step.” She glanced at the bed and back to him. “Sex,” she clarified when he still looked confused.
“What’s that got to do with it?” He asked and pushed from the doorway.
“Well, being that I thought we might be having it, tonight,” Hailey waved her hand toward the bed. “Right fucking now.”
“What?” His head tilted to the side, confusion clouding over the anger.
“Never mind. I should go.” Hailey knew if he wasn’t so baffled she never would have made it out of that bedroom, let alone the house. She found the closet by the front door with her coat and shoved her arms through the sleeves. Out, her mind said, just get out. Her gloves and hat lay on the floor but she could hear Dak coming down the steps. She’d get them later. Or not, her mind added. Either way, Hailey needed to leave before he had a chance to stop her.
Chapter 1
“I don’t care who you are ma’am, no one is to enter.”
“Look Mr. Guard-who-thinks-he’s-god, I spent entirely too much time picking out my underwear for tonight for it to go unnoticed. I promise you,” she said reassuringly, “he is expecting me.”
“I hear that many times a day, Ms. Holloway. As I’ve said before, you need to leave now or I will be forced to call the police.”
Hailey let out a frustrated grunt. So far, date night was going splendidly. “Fine. It’s your head when Dak finds out why I stood him up for our date.”
“Have a nice night, Ms. Holloway.” She put her car in reverse and backed out into the street. Two hours of prepping and four different outfits just for her to sit in the driveway; next time he was coming to her.
Tonight was their third official date, the big one that held hopes of a sweaty dragon and tangled sheets. He had a shiny new body that needed to be taken for a drive. Hailey had been planning tonight in her head for days. After dinner and their sexcapades, she was going to tell him she loved him. It was long overdo on both their parts, but it felt right.
Or it did before she was denied entrance to his house.
The annoyingly protective guard came running toward her car. She braked to not run him over. Hailey was considering it her good deed for the week. The window on her car stuck on the way down like it always did at the most inopportune moments.
“Ms. Holloway! I’ve had orders to let you through.”
“Oh really? Gosh, I don’t know why. I mean, what would the big bad dragon up at the house want with little old me?” So maybe the sarcasm was laid on a little thick, but the guard’s blush was satisfying.
“The gate is open. Please pull around to the front.”
With a sweet smile Hailey gave her thanks and pulled back into the driveway, this time moving through the gates. The frosty November air poured through her half open window. The button did nothing but make a grinding noise when pushed.
“Gah! Why don’t you work?” She pounded on the window. “You worked when I bought you.” Hailey only had the car for a week and a half and it was already falling apart.
“Of course Dak couldn’t have a short driveway either.” She muttered while pulling her scarf up over her frozen nose and turning the heat on high. It did nothing but mix with the cold air, but at least she tried.
The house was set back on the property so not to be seen from the road. It was in typical Gladwyne fashion, that is, the old money of Philadelphia. Dak had stuck with the classic colonial look. Stone covered every inch of the three-story home. White shuttered windows glowed with a soft light, while the three chimneys puffed out smoke. It was beautiful and warm, not like many of the other stiff architecturally modern homes in the area.
Out front Dak waited. He wore a black, button down shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, the top few buttons undone. He was disheveled, or as much as he could ever be. Hailey loved when he wasn’t looking polished and perfect. His fingers were a blur as they flew across the screen of his phone. When her car came chugging along, his head lifted with a piece of his dark brown hair falling from its carefully pushed back position. His eyes lost their frustrated blaze as his amber gaze tracked her progress. Pocketing the phone, Dak walked around the car and leaned down over the open window.
“You’re late,” His voice said pissed, his face said amused.
Hailey stuck up her favorite finger while she turned off the car. He had the door open and a hand ready to help her out. To his surprise, she accepted his hand.
“You are frozen, too.”
“And you happen to be a living breathing heater.” Hailey wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled into his chest. A sigh of utter contentment echoed through her mind. He was warm. He was always warm. She missed having that warmth right inside her but loved the feel of it in her arms.
“Should we go inside or would you like to stand out here by your sad excuse of a car all evening?”
“Well, aren’t you the sweet talker.”
“Only for you.” He laughed.
The foyer was gloriously warm. She unwound the scarf, and then pulled off her gloves. Dak tugged on the ends of her hat and smiled. It had two braided ties that hung down with pompoms on the ends, and one giant fluff ball right on top. He removed it, leaving her hair flattened and static-y.
“Ah, there she is. I was beginning to wonder how many more layers you had on till I found my Hailey.”
She went a bit gooey inside with the way he said “my Hailey.” To distract him from the goofy grin on her face she pushed the coat into his hands and piled it with all her extras. “So, nice place you got here.”
“Hold that thought.” Dak retreated to another room with her belongings and was back in a second. His hands rested on her waist and pulled her towards him. A devious smile sent naughty thoughts to her girly bits. “I never got a proper greeting.” He kissed her like he always did, in a way that left her breathless and wobbly. She held on to his shoulders and accepted what he gave. His heat enveloped Hailey through the kiss, warming her down to her toes.
“Hellooo Nurse.” Hailey mumbled out a wolf whistle when her breath was her own again.
“Pardon?”
“Animaniacs.”
“Gesundheit?” He said with a grin.
“Hah. When I sneeze you will know it. Animaniacs is a cartoon and when I have to explain it all, it loses its fun. So, moving on.” Hailey grabbed his hand walked down the hall. She had no idea where she was going but she couldn’t stop now. At the first set of doorways, she chose left and went into the kitchen. Something was in the oven giving the air a warm season of oregano.
“Mmmmm, Italian?” Hailey asked while sniffing the air wishing she could eat it.
“Lasagna. Care for some wine? I thought we’d eat, then I can give you a full tour of the house.”
“Works for me.” Hailey settled herself on one of the barstools. To her surprise, Dak was comfortable in the kitchen; he moved around it with ease. The fact that he cooked for her was in itself beyond astonishing. None of her previous boyfriends ever did anything like that. The closest she got to a cooked meal was a frozen pizza or a box of mac and cheese.
Hailey frowned at the bottle of red wine he set on the counter next to the wine glasses. She was not a fan of red wine. It gave her headaches. But as Dak pulled the cork from the bottle, his arms flexed in way only a woman could appreciate, and Hailey forgot all about her dislike of the red wine variety.
Sometimes, when she looked at him, she still couldn’t believe he was real. Two months earlier she had saved Dak by inviting his essence into her. It was purely unintentionally done, but the best accident she could have asked for. They were Mates, and after a rough start, each of them had accepted their fate. One she wouldn’t trade for all the cookie dough at Tollhouse.
“You’re quiet. Something wrong?” Dak poured a glass of wine and corked the bottle.
“No. Just admiring.”
He switched the bottle with a white and gave her a wink. Smartass, she thought. Her glass was poured and he came around to her side of the counter, taking the stool next to her.
“What do you think of the place? I know you haven’t seen all of it yet, but of what you’ve seen, do you like?”
“It’s beautiful. I especially like the wood beams.” Hailey looked up to the dark exposed wooded beams running across the ceiling. They paired well with the cabinets of the same wood. Everything was so natural and rustic. “It’s so warm and homey. Not what I was expecting from this neighborhood.”
Dak sipped his wine and watched her. Hailey always felt so exposed when he did that. “I’m glad you like it.” He finally said. “Why don’t you go set up in the living room. We can eat by the fire.” A quick kiss and he was back on the other side of the counter, pulling the lasagna from the oven.
Hailey took their wine glasses into the next room. Two big, oversized green chairs opposed an equally large couch. She pictured herself sitting sideways in the chair with her feet hanging off of the arm, a slipper bouncing along with her foot. Her tea would be on the coffee table and every so often she would pat the table until she found her cup of warmth, never letting her eyes leave the page, and sip until she was warm both inside and out.
“I see you’ve found your spot.” Dak kissed her neck then moved past her with two plates. He set the food down on the coffee table and tossed a few pillows on the floor. Hailey got the idea and sat closest to the fire on the floor.
The food was delicious. The surroundings were cozy. The company was sexy as hell. Hailey leaned back into his chest as he told her of his day. The search for Silas was still on, but not as high on the list of shit to do. Lia’s sister, Chloe, had shown up with Detective Dane earlier that day. The dragon was not nearly as dead as everyone had previously thought. Chloe had taken him to a healer in Olympus but ran into complications getting him in and out. Dane had told him that they would have sent word, but keeping him alive was more important. Hailey couldn’t agree more, and it’s not like they would have been able to do anything with the knowledge anyway. Dak had set him up in one of the guest houses out back. Apparently, he had two.
“So, he’s ok?”
“As far as I can tell.” He wrapped his arms around Hailey’s waist. “He’s welcome to stay as long as he needs, and then I’ll find him something to do. Maybe head of security unless he wants something more low key.”
“And Silas?”
“Nothing. He’s hiding for the time being. Not sure why. That isn’t like him at all.” Almost as an afterthought he added “He’ll let us know when he wants to be found.”
“I still find it weird he was at the hospital, but didn’t do anything. He could have taken me at any point, but he didn’t. That’s weird, right?” Hailey twisted in his arms to look up at him.
“Yes.” He smiled and kissed her. “Would you like the tour now?”
She only really needed to know where the bedroom was. Everything else was inconsequential. “Yes, please.”
She had seen most of the first floor. He showed her the dining room, bathroom, and study before going upstairs. Hailey rushed him through it all. With each room she peeked her head in and said “Nice!” then kept moving. She could sense the change in him, but ignored it. Hailey figured he was just getting excited to show her the bedroom; she was definitely excited to see it.
After another ten minutes of rushing along, they ended up in the doorway of the master bedroom. Hailey looked like a five year old about to enter her first ball pit. Giddy and excited, she bounced into the room and gaped. It wasn’t the enormous bed with the carved dragon headboard, or the fireplace that took up an entire wall; it was the pictures of the two of them hung everywhere that had her dazed. Most of the photos she never even knew were taken. Hailey turned in a circle and took in every picture there. She was overflowing with love at that moment.
“Dak, I lo-“
“Let me guess. You like it? It’s nice?”
Oh, he’s grumpy. She thought. His arms crossed over his chest, he watched her with a scowl. “It’s beautiful.” She said sincerely with a smile. So maybe rushing through the tour wasn’t a great idea on her part.
He leaned with his arms crossed against the doorframe with a scowl etched into his brow, “Hailey, you will be sharing this house with me. So if there is something you don’t…what’s wrong?” He frowned. “What is it?”
“Living here? Me?”
“Yes, you are my Mate.” He said it so matter of factly that it raised her haunches.
“You didn’t think to ask me first. Just bang your chest and throw me over your shoulder while yelling MATE!”
“I didn’t think I needed to ask.” His voice was like steel, hard and cold. “Was I wrong in thinking that you wish to be with me?” Dak raised an eyebrow and watched her squirm.
“You know that’s not true. But how can I move in when we barely know each other?”
“I thought I proved you wrong on that point weeks ago.”
“Ok, so you know me,” she rolled her eyes, “but I don’t know you very well yet.” She knew random things but not the kind of stuff that comes with time. She was certain that if they were on the Newlywed Game they would lose horribly. Hailey worried her bottom lip between her teeth.
“What do you need to know that is imperative to moving in?”
“Your last name.” She immediately shot back.
Dak scowled. “You know that.”
“I don’t.”
“MacKenna. Dacea Renny Quinlan MacKenna. But, like all sept leaders, I only go by my first name. Is that all?”
She said it a few times in her head, letting her mind find familiarity with it. “No, that’s not all.” Hailey signed. “Dak, besides not knowing each other well we are skipping a vital step.” She glanced at the bed and back to him. “Sex,” she clarified when he still looked confused.
“What’s that got to do with it?” He asked and pushed from the doorway.
“Well, being that I thought we might be having it, tonight,” Hailey waved her hand toward the bed. “Right fucking now.”
“What?” His head tilted to the side, confusion clouding over the anger.
“Never mind. I should go.” Hailey knew if he wasn’t so baffled she never would have made it out of that bedroom, let alone the house. She found the closet by the front door with her coat and shoved her arms through the sleeves. Out, her mind said, just get out. Her gloves and hat lay on the floor but she could hear Dak coming down the steps. She’d get them later. Or not, her mind added. Either way, Hailey needed to leave before he had a chance to stop her.
May 31, 2014
Book Review: The Opposite of Nothing by Shari Slade
The Opposite of NothingShari Slade
SynopsisCallie Evans would rather hide out in her DJ sound booth than face the fact that she's in love with her best friend, notorious campus hottie Tayber King.
Tayber turns hooking up into an art form--no drama, no commitment, no lies, and nobody gets hurt. Nobody but Callie, that is. When she sees an opportunity to explore his sexier side using a fake online profile, she grabs it. Now her uninhibited alter-ego 'Sasha' is steaming up the screen, and Callie is breaking all of Tayber’s rules.
As Callie and Tayber get closer, online and off, she knows she has to confess. And risk losing him forever.
**For mature readers, contains strong language and adult situations.**
Review
I like novellas if only for the fact that they can be read in one sitting without taking up your whole day. However, most of the novellas I read are part of a series. So you already know the characters and the book will get right down to business. I rarely read novellas that aren’t part of a series but I’m glad I did this time.
The Opposite of Nothing is about two friends. One is a man whore who sleeps around to prevent getting close to anyone. The other is a girl who was the outcast in high school and doesn’t trust easily. They became unexpected friends when Tayber was sleeping with Callie’s college roommate one night. After an awkward “can you guys keep it down” moment, he asked to take her out to apologize. They are both attracted to the other but neither has said as much. Callie has a secret. She’s been pretending to someone else online to get to know him better. Sasha, as she is called, is the sex bomb who holds nothing back…except for her voice and her presence. Sasha only talks to Tayber online and never calls. (For obvious reasons.) I’m sure you can see where this is heading. What happens when he finds out that Callie and Sasha are one in the same?
I enjoyed this book and kept picking it up throughout the day to read another page. (Instead of working.) It was a good, solid length for a novella, with great character development. I would have liked to see more on their background and why they are the way they are today. It could have been stretched to a full length novel had there been more back story given. However, it was great the way it was. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for other books from Shari Slade.
4 Stars
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
May 30, 2014
When good becomes bad
So I recently read a book…it was good. It was not the absolute best book I have ever read in my entire life, but it was good. 3 stars. Now as I began to write my review I got to thinking, and then took that thinking to a few friends. When did 3 stars become a bad thing? Most of the books we read in our lifetime will be 3 stars and there is nothing wrong with that. Now I looked into this phenomenon on google. What I found were people saying to use caution when posting a 3 star review because the author may take it as a bad review and try to enact payback.
It just amazes me that good has become bad. I guess all those critiques in all of my art classes over the years paid off. I know how to take criticism and how to use it to my advantage.
Side note: This is pertaining to authors reviewing authors.So even though I thought the book was ok, good, average, I am hesitant to post. I decided that on my blog I will only post a review if I find the book above average (4 stars) or FAN-FUCKING-TASTIC (5 stars.) On goodreads I will star the book no matter what the rating but I will not leave an actual review to cover my own butt. If I know the author and feel my critique might help them grow as a writer than I will contact them.
Also, I think 5 stars are being thrown around like its bread at a duck pond. I've been going back through my goodreads shelf and updating my reviews. Something I noticed I personally am doing is giving a review based on the author not the book. There is a particular vampire series that the 5th book in the series just sucked wild hairy monkey balls. It was not up to par with the rest in the series. Why did I give it a 4 star review?
Side note: I personally will look over a 5 star review for a 4 star one when browsing for books. I've found the 4 star ones are more honest about the book than the glowing 5 star “the author is the absolute best author in the history of literature” reviews. I also don't trust the reviews of a book that don't have any 2 stars or below. Did the author remove them? Are all the reviews from friends of the author? A variety of ratings gives the book a most honest look to it.
It just amazes me that good has become bad. I guess all those critiques in all of my art classes over the years paid off. I know how to take criticism and how to use it to my advantage.
Side note: This is pertaining to authors reviewing authors.So even though I thought the book was ok, good, average, I am hesitant to post. I decided that on my blog I will only post a review if I find the book above average (4 stars) or FAN-FUCKING-TASTIC (5 stars.) On goodreads I will star the book no matter what the rating but I will not leave an actual review to cover my own butt. If I know the author and feel my critique might help them grow as a writer than I will contact them.
Also, I think 5 stars are being thrown around like its bread at a duck pond. I've been going back through my goodreads shelf and updating my reviews. Something I noticed I personally am doing is giving a review based on the author not the book. There is a particular vampire series that the 5th book in the series just sucked wild hairy monkey balls. It was not up to par with the rest in the series. Why did I give it a 4 star review?
Side note: I personally will look over a 5 star review for a 4 star one when browsing for books. I've found the 4 star ones are more honest about the book than the glowing 5 star “the author is the absolute best author in the history of literature” reviews. I also don't trust the reviews of a book that don't have any 2 stars or below. Did the author remove them? Are all the reviews from friends of the author? A variety of ratings gives the book a most honest look to it.
May 23, 2014
Book Review: Truce by R.L. Mathewson
TruceA Neighbor From Hell NovelR.L. Mathewson
SynopsisElizabeth knows what’s expected of her, perfection. She’s the daughter of an Earl and expected to marry well, say and do the right things with a smile on her face when inside she’s dying for a chance to escape. Thanks to an inheritance her godmother left her years ago, her chance will come with her next birthday. Her hopes of escape abruptly end when Robert, her childhood nemesis that she hasn’t seen in over fourteen years, comes back into her life and does everything he can to drive her out of her mind even as he steals her heart. He hated her. At least, he tried to hate her, but it was so damn difficult to hate someone that he couldn’t live without. He tried to ignore her, tried to focus on anything but her, but nothing worked. Somehow she made her way into his heart and started to make him want things that he never thought possible, made him smile and laugh even while she drove him out of his mind and started a legacy by turning him into….. A Bradford. Author's Note: This is first and foremost a historical novel. This novel is written differently than the other Neighbor from Hell books. Truce is about a man who takes everything too damn seriously and can’t let go of the past until the woman that he would love to hate comes back into his life and brings out the Bradford within.
ReviewOh how I love the Bradford boys! Truce was much what you would expect from a book in the Neighbor from Hell series. It was funny and infuriating as you just wanted to smoosh Elizabeth and Robert’s heads together and tell them to kiss and play nice. It is a mild historical romance. And by that I mean it is low on historical (good for people who are just testing the historical genre waters) and high on the romance (as is expected from R.L. Mathewson.) It is not my favorite in the series but was a fun read. It was nice to see where it all began.
4 stars
AmazonBarnes & Noble
P.S. I am very disappointed I didn't get to meet R.L. at her signing in Hershey a few weeks ago. I had plans to go but after I had gotten off of work a migraine hit and I spent the day in bed. Maybe next time.
SynopsisElizabeth knows what’s expected of her, perfection. She’s the daughter of an Earl and expected to marry well, say and do the right things with a smile on her face when inside she’s dying for a chance to escape. Thanks to an inheritance her godmother left her years ago, her chance will come with her next birthday. Her hopes of escape abruptly end when Robert, her childhood nemesis that she hasn’t seen in over fourteen years, comes back into her life and does everything he can to drive her out of her mind even as he steals her heart. He hated her. At least, he tried to hate her, but it was so damn difficult to hate someone that he couldn’t live without. He tried to ignore her, tried to focus on anything but her, but nothing worked. Somehow she made her way into his heart and started to make him want things that he never thought possible, made him smile and laugh even while she drove him out of his mind and started a legacy by turning him into….. A Bradford. Author's Note: This is first and foremost a historical novel. This novel is written differently than the other Neighbor from Hell books. Truce is about a man who takes everything too damn seriously and can’t let go of the past until the woman that he would love to hate comes back into his life and brings out the Bradford within.
ReviewOh how I love the Bradford boys! Truce was much what you would expect from a book in the Neighbor from Hell series. It was funny and infuriating as you just wanted to smoosh Elizabeth and Robert’s heads together and tell them to kiss and play nice. It is a mild historical romance. And by that I mean it is low on historical (good for people who are just testing the historical genre waters) and high on the romance (as is expected from R.L. Mathewson.) It is not my favorite in the series but was a fun read. It was nice to see where it all began.
4 stars
AmazonBarnes & Noble
P.S. I am very disappointed I didn't get to meet R.L. at her signing in Hershey a few weeks ago. I had plans to go but after I had gotten off of work a migraine hit and I spent the day in bed. Maybe next time.
May 5, 2014
Singe Cover Reveal
SingeBook 2 of the Hailey Holloway seriesRelease date: July(ish) 2014
Be sure to check out the giveaway at the end of the post!
I posted the blurb a few weeks ago but here it is again. Hailey has been taken.
She was alive and had a dragon boyfriend with a shiny new body. Life was fantastic. Or it was until she was drugged and pulled right off the street. Hailey finds herself no match for the supernatural world. Will Dak come after her or did their latest battle of arrogance verses stubbornness ruin her chances of rescue?
Dacea has two Mates.
Word of his return was making its way through the dragon world and all the way to his runaway Mate. After hundreds of years of searching and wondering, Katherine was back and making herself at home. Dacea is stretched thin as he looks for Hailey and attempts to keep Katherine from moving in.
Silas has a secret.
His mind is set and he’ll tear through whatever gets in his way. With a little more research he hopes to have his suspicions confirmed. And when they are, his discovery will change everything.
So there you have it! I don't have a release date yet but I'm guessing July. My editor and I are not rushing this one like we did with Spark. I learned my lesson. Once I have a date I'll let you know.
Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Be sure to check out the giveaway at the end of the post!I posted the blurb a few weeks ago but here it is again. Hailey has been taken.
She was alive and had a dragon boyfriend with a shiny new body. Life was fantastic. Or it was until she was drugged and pulled right off the street. Hailey finds herself no match for the supernatural world. Will Dak come after her or did their latest battle of arrogance verses stubbornness ruin her chances of rescue?
Dacea has two Mates.
Word of his return was making its way through the dragon world and all the way to his runaway Mate. After hundreds of years of searching and wondering, Katherine was back and making herself at home. Dacea is stretched thin as he looks for Hailey and attempts to keep Katherine from moving in.
Silas has a secret.
His mind is set and he’ll tear through whatever gets in his way. With a little more research he hopes to have his suspicions confirmed. And when they are, his discovery will change everything.
So there you have it! I don't have a release date yet but I'm guessing July. My editor and I are not rushing this one like we did with Spark. I learned my lesson. Once I have a date I'll let you know.
Giveawaya Rafflecopter giveaway
May 1, 2014
Book Review: Things in the Mirror & Angela's Siren Song
Things in the Mirrorby DJ Shaw
Synopsis
From the time she was little, Rissa knew that mirrors were dangerous.
It wasn’t until she was much older that she understood just how dangerous.
After she gets married, she thinks that she might finally be able to share the burden of this knowledge. But her husband just laughs it off and calls her childish. Tired of being teased about her fears, she decides to confront them head on and discovers that she doesn’t know as much as she thought she did.
ReviewOverall this short story was good. I liked the basis of the plot. I think some of the dialog could be adjusted to sound a little more read but I completely understand that it was a short story and not meant to have lengthy descriptions and dialog. I really liked when Rissa was being pulled into the mirror. It was fast paced and in the moment. I think that was the best scene of the book. The ending confused me. Without giving away any spoilers, I think a little hint at what happened that caused the events at the end would be nice so it doesn’t come out of nowhere.
2.5 stars. It was good but I think with a little more time it could be a lot better. Amazon Goodreads
Angela's Siren Awakeningby DJ Shaw
Synopsis
Angela couldn’t figure out why men fell head-over-heels for her; it was starting to become very annoying. Until the day she met Daryl, and then it became all too clear; Hell hath no fury like a Siren scorned!
Angela was just a well-mannered woman, trying to get on with life.
Then she met Rafe and things began to change. He introduced her to another side of life, one that she didn’t find very appealing. After she breaks free of him, she is introduced to the supernatural world, only to find out that she has some ties to that as well.
Enter Daryl, the yummy demon who has arrived to help her exact her revenge.
Will she survive learning who she really is?
ReviewI loved the idea behind this book and only wish that it was longer. I think DJ Shaw should expand this into a novella or full length novel. Daryl was great and devious like only a demon can be. The twist at the end was a great way to finish the book.
4 StarsAmazonGoodreads
Both of these were like ghost stories. If you're looking for a HEA, look elsewhere.
**I was given both of these books in exchange for an honest review**
April 27, 2014
Blog tour this week!
This week is my very first blog tour. The schedule is below. It's also my last week of classes before finals. And after I take all my finals and hand in all my papers I'm headed for a long weekend in OBX. Woop!
April 28th: Starter Day Party @ I Heart ReadingApril 28th: Book Excerpt @ Nocturnal Predators ReviewsApril 30th: Book Excerpt @ The Readers HollowMay 1st: Promo Post @ The Right Book For YouMay 2nd: Book Excerpt @ Annette Gisby’s BlogMay 3rd: Promo Post @ Iequals AlissaMay 4th: Book Review @ Books, Books and More BooksMay 5th: Book Review @ Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock
April 28th: Starter Day Party @ I Heart ReadingApril 28th: Book Excerpt @ Nocturnal Predators ReviewsApril 30th: Book Excerpt @ The Readers HollowMay 1st: Promo Post @ The Right Book For YouMay 2nd: Book Excerpt @ Annette Gisby’s BlogMay 3rd: Promo Post @ Iequals AlissaMay 4th: Book Review @ Books, Books and More BooksMay 5th: Book Review @ Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock
April 24, 2014
I do reviews now...reviews are cool.
So I’ve been thinking for a while that there isn’t enough on my plate.
Ok, so that’s not true.
I lied.
I’m sorry.
But for real, I’m thinking of “expanding” in a way. Mainly in the blogosphere. My idea is to do book reviews. Maybe do a little quid pro quo with some authors. (hint hint wink wink) I can’t do a ton of them but maybe one every two weeks or so. (This coming from a girl who used to read 5 books a week. School has destroyed that that schedule.) I’d focus mainly on indie authors and small publishers. I know how many bloggers don’t review indie authors for some reason or another.
So if you are interested in having me review your book, or if you are interested in a book exchange, hit me up! I’ll get to work this weekend to set up a review section on my blog and a submission form. But in the meantime my email is kcstewartauthor@gmail.com.
Ok, so that’s not true.
I lied.
I’m sorry.
But for real, I’m thinking of “expanding” in a way. Mainly in the blogosphere. My idea is to do book reviews. Maybe do a little quid pro quo with some authors. (hint hint wink wink) I can’t do a ton of them but maybe one every two weeks or so. (This coming from a girl who used to read 5 books a week. School has destroyed that that schedule.) I’d focus mainly on indie authors and small publishers. I know how many bloggers don’t review indie authors for some reason or another.
So if you are interested in having me review your book, or if you are interested in a book exchange, hit me up! I’ll get to work this weekend to set up a review section on my blog and a submission form. But in the meantime my email is kcstewartauthor@gmail.com.
