Shiloh Walker's Blog, page 128

The Departed…Giveaway…Day 5

Just so ya know, today will be a little different.

Next Round! (FYI, the winner must check back to claim the prize-if you think you might forget, try setting up a google alert. It's easy, I promise…)

So far, this is the prize stash.  It's all for one winner…

From The Departed

They were there. Some of the departed . . . not all of them rested, not all of them called for help. Some of them just lingered, their cold, dry touch like a skeletal hand on the nape of her neck. She could feel their presence and now that she'd allowed herself to think about them, to focus, her mind reached out and tried to lock on one of those whispers. Tried to grasp something real . . . a voice, something, somebody she could help.

But their voices, they were so indistinct, like listening to dry leaves skittering down a street. There were no words, hardly any feeling left to connect to those disconnected souls.

She jumped as Taylor curled his hand over her nape, his fingers digging lightly into her skin. "Stop it," he murmured, leaning in and speaking almost directly into her skin.

"Stop what?" she asked sourly. She would have glared at him, but the firm hold he had on her skin kept her from doing that, and she was reluctant to break that contact. Just like always, his touch made everything else fade away.

"You know what. You're not shielding. I can see it. Shield up or you'll be a mess before I even get you to her room." His voice lowered when she tensed and tried to pull away.

"You don't get to boss me around anymore, Jones."

She tried once more to pull away, but this time he herded her into a narrow dip in the wall. A quick glance showed that it led to the chapel. She glared up at him. To her surprise, he was glaring back, his pale blue eyes glittering at her, and his normally emotionless face was anything but. "I'm not trying to boss you around, damn it. You're walking around looking like you've got death dancing on your shoulders and you're not doing shit to stop it. Should I just ignore it?"

"What does it matter to you?" She shouldn't be looking at him. She told herself that, told herself to look away, to look anywhere but at him. She couldn't, though. She couldn't look away from his eyes. Swallowing, she rested her head against the wall and repeated, "What does it matter to you?"

A heavy breath rushed out of him, his shoulders rising and falling. His blue eyes, so fiery hot and so unlike the cool, icy professionalism she was used to seeing, bored into hers. "Just shield up, damn it." Then he shoved off the wall and stalked away.

Immediately, Dez sagged a few inches and covered her face with her hands. Damn it. What in the hell . . . Damn it. Her knees were shaking. Her belly felt all tight and hot and jittery, and damned if she knew why.

You damn well do know—

No. She wasn't thinking about that—

She took a deep breath and lowered her hands. Then she looked up and gasped when she realized Taylor had returned, silently. One hand came, curled over the back of her neck. "This is why it matters, damn it." He hauled her against him and as his mouth crushed against hers, her brain clicked off, shut down . . .

Read More…

Now.  About today's giveaway.  I'm going to give away $1 for every comment up to $50…to a charity.  You all choose from the three below and whichever has the highest picks, I'll donate.

World Vision (Christian charity, I generally do one of their 'animal' gifts which provides something like ducks or chickens to a family~provides eggs for food, money, etc)
Kiva (micro-loans…a cool concept, too hard to break down simply.  You can check out their site, though)
Young Survival Coalition (Young survivors of breast cancer)

All of these charities have a 4 star rating at Charity Navigator, and I think that's the highest they rank.  So they are all solid charities who use their donations wisely.

Okay… so that's it.  Today's giveaway is a gift. Just tell me who you want to see getting it.

The Departed… Giveaway… part 4

Next Round! (FYI, the winner must check back to claim the prize-if you think you might forget, try setting up a google alert.  It's easy, I promise…)

From The Departed…

I quit—

Taylorjerked his head back as she said that. Then he shook his head. She couldn't. He knew Dez, knew how she needed . . . fuck. Yes, he knew how she needed what she did. It wasn't a job for her—it was a need.

"You can't quit," he said quietly. "You and I both know how much you need your work—we know what it does to you when you don't work."

Dez's mouth twisted in a bitter, ugly smile. "Obviously we don't or you wouldn't be pushing me out for three months because you can't deal."

Alarm screamed in his head as she reached down, pulled out her ID, her weapon. Fuck—

"Desiree, be reasonable."

Lashes swooped low over her eyes and she murmured, "That's exactly what I'm doing. I'm not taking three months—double the time the doctor said I needed—and hell, I can talk to ghosts just fine without hurting my neck. I don't even need six weeks. I'll go insane if I spend three months away from what I need to do. Since you won't let me do it here, I'll do it on my own."

She slammed her shield, her ID, her weapon on his desk.

He caught her wrist. "Don't do this, damn it." She couldn't leave . . . even as he thought maybe it was for the best—for him. Yeah, it might be better for him, but it would be hell for her. She needed this. Shit. What had he done? She couldn't leave.

"Give me a reason why I shouldn't." Her eyes, dark and soft, bore into his, challenging.

Something hovered on the tip of his tongue. But instead of exploring that, he gritted out, "Because you'll regret walking away from your job."

Dez shook her head. "I didn't walk. You shut me out." Her eyes lingered on his face, and then she reached up, touched his cheek.

His heart slammed against his ribs and he had to fight the urge not to nuzzle that hand, not to grab her, beg her not to leave. Fuck—not seeing her? Then, even that paled.

Away from here, how would she get what she needed? How would she get enough? The voices, her ghosts, they'd drive her mad.

As she turned away from him and started to the door, he came out from behind the desk. "You can't walk away from this team, Dez. I won't allow it," he said, forcing his voice to be flat and cold—no emotion, damn it, because letting something other than his head speak was what had caused this. No emotion—nothing but logic. Nothing.

Dez paused at the door and looked back at him. She lifted a brow at him. "You won't allow it," she murmured, cocking her head. Then she sighed and opened the door. "Sugar, you just don't seem to get the picture here. You don't have a choice."

Their eyes met, held, steely blue on darkest brown. She was the one to look away first.

"Good-bye."

Read More…

Today, I'm throwing in a signed copy of:

This was the previous book, although these books work very well on their own. If you've read this one?  Regift it!  I beg you!  :-)

To enter, tell me a character you hated…but came to…well, not love, but like.  Because Taylor wasn't a character I liked. But he grew on me.

The contest runs through the first week of January, when The Departed releases…

All names entered will go into the pot.  One winner will be drawn at the end of the contest and posted here.  Make sure you read my disclaimer-the winner is responsible for checking back to see if they've won- (hint…you can always set up a google seach for your name/whatever handle you see use.  Good way to keep track of contests).

Entering means you agree to the rules & that you've read the disclaimer.

More prizes will be randomly added with each giveaway post. (Or that's the plan…).  Entries must be made at my blog, not via facebook, twitter, GR, etc)

Woo-hoo!!! Kate book!!! Kate book!!!

Ilona Andrews has awesome Kate book!  For Free!!! But only for a little while…

Two weeks from Christmas, so if I've got it right… 1/8.

Go see!

The Departed…Giveaway…part 3

More for the goody bag! And if the winner doesn't claim this one?  I eat these. (FYI, the winner must check back to claim the prize-if you think you might forget, try setting up a google alert.  It's easy, I promise…)

From The Departed…

"Would you just think for a minute?" he snarled. "It's not like you don't need the time off."

"But three months?" Her voice broke. She couldn't . . . three months. The voices . . . no. The ghosts that haunted her all too often. They pulled her from her sleep if she didn't seek them out. She couldn't go three months—even thinking about it was enough to make her head threaten to split, that darkness edging up on her. It was hard enough to get through a week without following those whispers. As long as she answered them, she could stay sane. But if she didn't . . .

Now he wanted her to take three months away from it?

And three months without seeing him?

He doesn't want to see you anyway.

Yeah, she was getting that picture.

"You need to take the time off," he said flatly. "And you need to rest. And we . . . need time to get our heads on straight." Something she couldn't quite read moved through his eyes as he studied her face.

She couldn't read it, but it hurt—left her heart aching and empty.

Get our heads on straight.

In other words, he wouldn't change his mind, wouldn't try to find a way to make things work—even though she knew, without a doubt, he had feelings for her.

"What's the purpose of getting our heads on straight? Tell me that." Oh, hell. Even she could hear the catch in her voice now.

"We have to get back on even footing."

"Or . . . ?"

He didn't answer.

Dez swallowed. "Shove your three months,Taylor. I quit."

I quit—

Read More…

Adding in today…a few of my favorite things.  From the local candy store, Schimpffs…which I love, and adore…yummy.

To enter… tell me one favorite memory from childhood.  I always loved getting things like this.  I can remember when I first had a white chocolate sucker from Schimpffs, but it was love, I tell you.  LOVE.

The contest runs through the first week of January, when The Departed releases…

All names entered will go into the pot.  One winner will be drawn at the end of the contest and posted here.  Make sure you read my disclaimer-the winner is responsible for checking back to see if they've won- (hint…you can always set up a google seach for your name/whatever handle you see use.  Good way to keep track of contests).

Entering means you agree to the rules and that you've read the disclaimer.

More prizes will be randomly added with each giveaway post. (Or that's the plan…).  Entries must be made at my blog, not via facebook, twitter, GR, etc)

Merry Christmas…

Saturday Snippets..

Beginnings…For those who celebrate…Have a Merry Christmas…

"Fucking crazy," one of the techs muttered, watching as Dez Lincoln stood in the middle of a desolateIowafield with a smile on her face.

She was a beautiful woman—her black hair cut short, no more than an inch long, currently spiked up. Her skin was a light, smooth brown and her eyes were dark, so dark they almost appeared black, set under feathery, arched brows. Her body was all curves and long limbs, round hips, and a chest that was undeniably female. But there was no mistaking the strength—there was well-toned muscle to go along with those curves.

No doubt about it, she was gorgeous, and when she smiled, she could make the hearts of the men around her race.

But right now, her smile was fucking freaky.

Under her feet, they suspected, were dozens of bones. Unmarked graves.

The location of a serial killer's little playground. Or maybe his burial ground.

But she smiled. It was a peaceful, beautiful smile—a Mona Lisa smile, and it didn't belong in the place of death and decay, the tech thought.

Fucking freaky. He muttered it under his breath again and went to turn away, only to realize he was the subject of intense scrutiny.

Special Agent in Charge Taylor Jones was staring at him, and he did not look pleased. If Desiree Lincoln was fucking freaky, then Jones was fucking scary and that look never boded well.

 

Read More

More authors…

Lauren Dane

Rhian Cahill

Eliza Gayle

Selena Blake

Anne Rainey

Jody Wallace

Lissa Matthews

Mari Carr

McKenna Jeffries

Myla Jackson

Taige Crenshaw

Alison Kent

Delilah Devlin

Shelli Stevens

Leah Braemel

HelenKay Dimon

TJ Michaels

 

The Friday 56….

Those who follow me on twitter or FB know I'm working on a new contemporary.

My 56 is from it, because it's the closest at hand…and don't ask for details, because I'm not giving them.  Not sure who I'll be sending this to yet, although I've got an idea.  Just not sure yet.

She could just show him, she supposed.

But she didn't see the point.

This wasn't going to last once morning was over…Marc traveled all over the world and was in Chicago once in a blue moon.  She didn't seem him often and over the past few years, it was even less frequent than normal.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to catch a dream and she was going to run with it, enjoy every second of it while it lasted.

About the Friday 56

Grab the book nearest you. Right now
Turn to page 56.
Find the fifth sentence.
Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

The Departed… Giveaway… Part 2

Every year, when I go to book/writer events, I pick up goodies.  I usually do swag giveaways, but I didn't do many this year, so I just decided I'd do a big one at the end of the year, but when I saw how Lynn Viehl/PBW was doing her Let It Snow giveaway, I thought it would be fun to stagger it out a little…thus the part one.  Part two.  I dunno how many parts I'll have.  I lack organizational skills.

But I have at least a few more parts…I picked up a few things just for the giveaway and I still have books I collected, too.  Some are even signed.

Here is part two…

from The Departed…

He hadn't even seen her, and he'd known it was her.

Felt it, somewhere deep inside.

Guiding her away from the crush of bodies, he said, "You can explain what you're doing here later. But for now, tell me why you think there's a kid in there when all my intel is saying otherwise."

Dez flicked a look past his shoulder. "Something woke me up and I just knew I needed to be somewhere. Here. So I got up, got dressed, and headed out. Ended up here—I didn't even know you had a team here, by the way."

For a period of about five heartbeats, all thought stopped.Taylorcould think of nothing else but those words—got dressed. Meaning . . . what? Had she been sleeping in pajamas? Something slinky and silky? Something sensible, practical? Or had she been naked, that sleek, warm brown body bare?

Blood drained out of his head and he clenched his jaw, jerked his attention away from her, and stared at the house until he could remember what he was doing, why he was here.

What he was about. He didn't have time to be thinking about Desiree Lincoln and her sleeping attire—or lack of. He had a job to do.

A mission. The mission. It was all that mattered. All that could matter.

Read More…

 

Adding this into the giveaway stack…

A notebook, a bookmark, and a gift card to Books A Million. I thought the bookmark was cute and if I actually used them very well, I would have bought one.  I've only got one I used fairly regularly and that's cuz it's pretty.  And no, you can't have it.  But you can have this one. If you win.

Want to enter?  Today… tell me this.. Do you dog-ear your books or use a bookmark.  I'm a shameless dog-ear-ing person.  Unless I'm borrowing and then I'll be more careful.

All names entered will go into the pot.  One winner will be drawn at the end of the contest and posted here.  Make sure you read my disclaimer-the winner is responsible for checking back to see if they've won- (hint…you can always set up a google seach for your name/whatever handle you see use.  Good way to keep track of contests).

Entering means you agree to the rules and that you've read the disclaimer.

More prizes will be randomly added with each giveaway post. (Or that's the plan…).  Entries must be made at my blog, not via facebook, twitter, GR, etc)

Writer Wednesday…

 

Writer Wednesday with Selena Blake…

wanna know more about Writer Wednesdays?  Go here… writers interested in doing it just need to do the questions and contact me.  Info is at the link.

 

What's the one thing that remains unchanged during your writing process, from one book to another? (ie: Intensive plotting? Music?)

A: As much as I enjoy writing the first draft, I love (and sometimes hate) the revision process. One thing that never changes in my writing is how intense the revision process is for me. To me, that's really when a book comes to life. I understand the progression of the story, can see any plot holes and I know my characters. I can add twenty-five percent to the wordcount during revisions.

What's the one piece of advice you'd give a new writer?

A: Believe in yourself. There will be many days where you'll lose confidence and wonder if you're any good. That's natural. There will be reviews that will tear you down. You'll question yourself. But at the end of the day, believing in yourself will keep you sane. It will help you continue when the going gets tough. If you don't believe in your work, how can you expect anyone else to?

What's the one piece of advice you wish was wiped from the minds of writers everywhere?

A: That there's a right way and a wrong way to proceed with your career. Each author is different. Each journey is different. The important thing is being happy with how you get to where you want to be. Traditional, indie, a combination there of. Do what works for you.

What's the one book you think everybody, writer or not, should read?

A: James Scott Bell's writing resource books. I love Art of War for Writers, Plot & Structure, Revision & Self-Editing. I'm pretty sure I could recommend anything he will write on the subject in the future. He has a way of breaking things down that will make you say "ah hah!"

The Departed…Giveaway…

So between now and the day THE DEPARTED releases, I'll be collecting names.  If you see the words… DEPARTED and GIVEAWAY in the blog topic, then you can enter.  The prize?  A massive bag of books, swag and other sundry goodies.

The starting stack is…

 

While Taylor was impatient in the extreme and itching to get out there, he knew if that ghost didn't find any sort of peace, she'd linger with Dez.

 

And that would torment her.

 

He couldn't do that.

 

Not to her.

 

He tried to force up some semblance of the cold, hard shield he'd perfected so long ago—he didn't have any sort of special interest in Dez Lincoln. He wouldn't wish the unrest of an agitated ghost on any of his people; that was all. He needed them all at their best, all the time.

 

But even as he told himself that little line, he knew it for what it was.

 

Nothing but shit.

 

He most certainly had a special interest in Dez Lincoln. And he had from the very beginning.

 

Not that it mattered, though.

 

She was a member of his unit and that made her off-limits.

 

And even if that wasn't an issue, Taylor Jones didn't do relationships.

 

Period.

Read more…

Want to enter the giveaway?  Just leave a comment below and tell me one book you read over and over.

All names entered will go into the pot.  One winner will be drawn at the end of the contest and posted here.  Make sure you read my disclaimer-the winner is responsible for checking back to see if they've won- (hint…you can always set up a google seach for your name/whatever handle you see use.  Good way to keep track of contests).

Entering means you agree to the rules and that you've read the disclaimer.

More prizes will be randomly added with each giveaway post. (Or that's the plan…).  Entries must be made at my blog, not via facebook, twitter, GR, etc)