Shiloh Walker's Blog, page 59

Burn for Me… due out tomorrow!

Kindle

The first book in the new Secrets & Shadows series…

“I just want you,” she said, her voice stark.  “All of you.”

What the fuck did that mean? It wasn’t like he was seeing anybody else. He thought about her all the time.  She was in his head, in his blood.  He could smell the scent of her skin even when she wasn’t there and he dreamed about her.  Except . . . no.  Not a good time to think about those dreams.

Shaking his head, he tried to make her understand.  “I’ll take you out.  I’ll stay the night.  I . . .”  Pleading, he stared at her.

“That’s not enough.” The pain in her eyes sliced at him, straight through the heart.

“What is?” Hands clenched into fists, he fought the urge to grab her, haul her against him.  Why was she doing this?  Desperation filled him, made him want to yell, but he managed to throttle everything down, kept his voice flat and empty as he watched her.

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So. Scotland.

Kindle

I can’t describe it.  Can we just do this instead?

Stonefield Castle

Kilmartin Church & Graveyard

Urquhart Castle…and Loch Ness

Elgin Cathedral

Loch Fyne

In the distance, you can see Greenland…flying back home.

Burn For Me…

Kindle

Due out next week…. have you preordered?

 

 

Just do it.

But then, as she tried to brace herself to do just that, he dipped his head and rubbed his cheek against hers.  There was no deep, breath-stealing kiss.  She might have been able to find the strength to stand against the want.  She always wanted him and she had to find a way to live without that.  The strength drained out of her legs and she had to brace her body against the wall just to stay upright.

His gentleness was even harder to handle just then.  If he had just pulled her against him, shown her all the heat and hunger that raged inside, then she might have been able to handle it.

“What’s wrong, Ali?” he whispered, his lips moving against her skin.  “You look so sad.  I hate it when you’re sad.”

 

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Bladed Magic…

Kindle

My blog was broke when this was ready, so I posted about it on the JC blog, but…in case ya missed it…

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The book

A Colbana Files Prequel

The events of this short story take place between A STROKE OF DUMB LUCK and BLADE SONG.  It can be read as a stand-alone.

For the first time in her life, Kit Colbana’s life was going just fine.  She had a nice, easy job.  She’d managed to escape the not-so-loving attentions of a family who’d rather see her dead than look at her.  She had a roof over her head and she didn’t have to fight for every little thing she had.

Then she finds herself tangled up with a green-eyed witch by the name of Justin.  He’s looking for somebody and for some bizarre reason, he seems to think she can help.  All she has to do is say no, and she can go back to her safe little existence.  That’s exactly what she needs to do and she knows it.

Too bad she’s not very good at following her own advice.

“So, who wants to talk and who wants to die?”

The voice coming from the alley behind TJ’s was cheerful, just a little too cheerful, considering the grim message in his words. It was a little scary, though, because that cheer was not false. Whoever he was, he was all too excited about the thought of making somebody talk, then bleed, then die.

In that order.

I could smell the blood in the air and it wasn’t shapeshifter blood. I knew that smell all too well, but that was just because I worked in a bar where blood was spilled. A lot. Shapeshifters liked to fight, after all, and those fights led to bloodshed. Lucky me, I got to clean it up.

Go inside. That was the voice of common sense.

I was done working. Nothing for me to do, really. I never did anything, other than work. Well, other than lock myself in my room and read. Or lock myself in the little gym TJ had let me set up and work out. I could do either one of those and pretend the rest of the world didn’t exist.

This one night, I’d felt an odd little pull, something that had tugged me out of the bar. Go back inside, I told myself.

Something sizzled in the air and I felt it dance across my skin.

Then there was a yell, followed by a grunt and a series of thuds.

It was getting really hard to pretend this wasn’t happening. If I went back inside and acted like I hadn’t noticed anything, I’d have a hard time facing myself in the morning.

My inability to mind my own business will be the death of me.  Here lies Kit Colbana, killed by her own curiosity. That will be my epitaph. Still, I couldn’t stay there, shifting from one foot to the other while I listened to somebody getting the hell beaten out of them.

Keeping to the shadows, I moved down the maze of twisting, narrow little paths and paused when I reached the junction up ahead. It was there. Just ahead and to the right. The smell of blood was stronger and I could hear somebody laughing. It was the man I’d heard earlier—

“Oh, come on, you can do better than that…”

His voice sounded thick now. Not quite so eager to make something talk, then bleed, then die.

Of course, he was the one talking, in a voice that was thick and wet. He was bleeding, too. I could see that when I peered around the corner. There he was, caught between two wolves—shapeshifters—while a third drew back a hand and slammed it into his gut.

He crumpled around the fist.

“Who are you working for?” A new voice now, somebody big and mean. He drove another fist into the man’s gut as he spoke. I raked him with a look, sized him up. A werewolf.

The entire tableau was surreal. There were three weres, the one doing the pummeling, while the other two held a brown-haired man immobile.

“One more time, you little fuck.” The were smashed a giant fist into the man’s face and I winced as blood splattered out in an arcing spray. “Who are you working for?”

There was no answer, just a nasal sort of groan.

The werewolf in front of him fisted a hand in the man’s hair and jerked his head up, leaning in to snarl at the man. He looked…human. I didn’t feel that weird kind of energy I sensed around all shifters, which meant if this kept up, he’d be dead.

Nervous, I glanced behind me. Could I get back to the bar and Goliath?

I didn’t know.

Sliding a hand inside my vest, I touched one of the silver knives.

“Come on, witch. You aren’t down here asking about night just because you want to.” The wolf reached up, caught the man’s face, started to squeeze.

Horrified, I bit my lip to keep from making a sound. I couldn’t look away as I watched those fingers dig in. I knew how strong shifters were. They could crush bone, stone, metal.

The man groaned hoarsely.

Shit. I can’t watch this. I had to do something—had to help.

Abruptly, it was like the fight drained out of him.

“There. That’s what I thought.” The wolf backed up and now, all I could see was his back. “Give me the name, boy. You don’t want me telling TJ you been running around behind her back and fucking her over, do you? Selling drugs to kids, skimming her profits?”

What?

“Did you hear that?” One of the other wolves looked up, eyes narrowing.

Oh. Shit.

I’d bumped something on the ground. It wouldn’t have been loud enough for anybody human to hear.

But we weren’t dealing with humans. The NH—non-human—population had sharper senses and I had all but shouted my presence.

“Sounds like…”

I gripped the knife and shot a look once more toward TJ’s. If I ran, they’d catch me. If I called for Goliath, he’d hear me, but probably not in time.

Son. Of. A. Bitch.

I should have gone to my room and finished my damn book.

A shadow stretched out along the ground in front of me—so close.

Instinct moved me and I lunged out, threw the knife.

I hadn’t taken out a target since the night in the sewers, but I never once doubted my aim.

I am aneira—

The words echoed in the back of my mind. I’d heard them, so often, in the years before I’d run away. Time seemed to slow.

My aim is true.

And it was. The blade flew, straight and true and so very fast. So fast the shifter didn’t even have time to avoid it. The silver buried itself in the shifter’s heart. Without waiting to see what happened, I lunged at him and as he hit the ground, I wrenched the knife around, twisting it. The scent of smoke filled the air. I didn’t waste another second. I came up and dove forward in a somersault. I landed in a crouch as I faced the other two shapeshifters.

The man pinned to the wall looked at me with greener than green eyes. To my surprise, he grinned. “It’s about fucking time.”

Wrapping up a series…

Kindle

I’m just about done (probably will be by the time this posts) with the next book in The Grimm’s Circle series.

I bawled through the second to the last chapter. Something really rough happened-caught me by surprise. As I’m not a plotter, exactly, I didn’t see this coming, but knowing what I knew about this series, I’m not surprised.

I’ve been planning to wrap it up for a while and this puts me in the position to do just that. As sales were dropping off, it seems like the ideal time to get it done, but I didn’t want to leave it hanging–I don’t like doing that, but sometimes, you’re almost left with no choice. Fortunately, I can make the choice here and I’m hoping there’s one more go left in me.

There’s one line in it that left me really choked up…

He stole a bit of it, though, then and there, pressing his mouth to hers. “If I could have let myself, I would have loved you.”

Gah…

Anyway.  I’ll post more on what’s up with the book when I know.

To those who’ve been waiting, thanks for being patient.  If by chance you haven’t read it and you’re curious?  You can read a free story here on my site.

Leaving…on a jet plane

Kindle

Since I’m gonna be gone for a few days, I’m going to leave with something to remember me by.  (see below the cut)

The first chapter of BURN FOR ME is up. GO here to read.

I’m preloading some posts, so be sure to check below for those…

Dabwaha time… my first bribe.

Kindle

So, it’s DABWAHA time!

I have a book in there!  Lookit! WRECKED made it into the finals…

 

read more on WRECKED

“Friends make the best lovers and soul mates in WRECKED. A beautiful look into true and enduring love…” Carly Phillips, NYT Bestselling Author

In the nineties, Abigale Applegate and Zach Barnes were the most beloved sitcom child stars in the world. Then they grew up and left Hollywood behind…

Whatever happened to Abigale Applegate?

She’s been wondering the same thing.

With her Hollywood dreams long gone, Abigale now has a nice, neat, uncomplicated life—until the day her perfect fiancé needs to talk. Dumped, a little more than shattered, and totally confused, Abigale turns to Zach, her best friend since forever, to help her pick up the pieces. He does it with a gift—a copy of Wreck This Journal. She can vent her frustrations, and sketch out a new plan. Zach just hopes he’s part of it. Because he’s been in love with Abigale his entire life.

When the journal falls into Zach’s hands, he discovers Abigale wants a new man. And fast. Nothing more than a hot distraction. Zach has a strategy, too. He’s going to be that man. It’s his last chance. Abigale might be out to shake up her life, but Zach’s out to reinvent it. Now, all he has to do is convince Abigale that life can go as planned.

 

So, in the DABWAHA (pronounced dah-BWAH-ha-an important fact according to Smart Bitches & Dear Author) way of things…trash talking, bribes and sexy menz are part of the game.

I offer my first bribe… A scene from RAZED.  RAZED is the second Barnes brothers book, featuring Zane & Keelie, but this scene is Zach & Abby…at their wedding.

 

Zach came up behind Abby and pressed his lips to her brow.  “Can we leave yet?  Can we leave yet?”

Abby turned her face to his.  “You’re awful.  You just asked that ten minutes ago.”

“I meant it just as much then as I do now.”  He cupped her face, stroked his thumb over her lips.  “You look beautiful.”

A dreamy smile curved her lips.

“You two are killing me.”

Keelie glanced up at Javi settled in the seat next to her, his wife taking the other seat.   “Javi, be nice,” Aida warned, her eyes dancing with humor in her round, friendly face.  She smacked her husband in the arm before propping her elbow on the table and resting her chin on her palm.  “The two of them are adorable.”

Keelie slid Zach and Abby a look.  “Adorable sums it up.”

At that moment, Abby gave them an amused look.  “If you keep calling Zach adorable, he’s going to find somebody to arm wrestle just to prove his manhood.”

“I don’t need to prove my manhood.” He pressed his face to her neck and then groaned as Abby pushed him back.  “Can we leave now? Can we leave now?”

“Hush!” Abby said, but there was laughter lurking under the words.  “This is my wedding and I’m going to enjoy it.”

Zach leaned in, murmured something to Abby that had her face going red.

 

If you give me votes and help get me through to the next round when it starts next week?  I’ll offer another snippet, or maybe write a scene, just the two of them.

Come on…Zach is asking real nice…

Image from Model/DJ Mateus Verdelho’s FB page

Image via Mateus Verdelho’s FB Page

So… it’s almost time for my next romantic suspense series…

 

 

 

The first story in the Secrets & Shadows series… Tate & Ali.

 

Mini snippet!

 

She didn’t look at him and that hollow ache in his chest spread.  If he was smart, he’d walk away.

He didn’t have the strength yet.

Maybe in a few more months.

He’d said that a year ago.

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The Innocent…available now

An FBI Psychics Novella

There’s only one reason Jay Roberts would set foot in a middle-of-nowhere town like Hell, Georgia. She’s got a bone to pick with her sort-of boyfriend. They only met online, but things got hot and heavy before their cyber link went silent.

She’s here to get in his face for an explanation. But no touching. Her psychic abilities make physical contact…complicated. Yet something about this relationship made her think things would be different. She’s not in Hell twenty minutes before bad vibes have her skin crawling.

Corruption has stained the very fabric of Linc Dawson’s town, and now it’s stolen something very dear to him. The last thing he has time for is nursing Jay’s broken heart.

But Jay isn’t going anywhere. Not only because she’s not giving up on him, because she’s got access to the kind of backup nobody wants on their bad side. And Linc discovers the woman who’s afraid to touch him could actually be his best chance. At salvation, at hope, at life. Maybe even love…

Warning: This book contains a not-so-naive virgin, a pissed-off former cop, lots of frustration, if you know what I mean, and more trouble than either of them know what to do with.

 

 

Excerpt

The relief that hit him was almost devastating. Head swimming, he collapsed back against the window sill, clutching her against him. “But you… Morgan…”

“My boss.” She rested her brow against his chest. “I had a feeling there was going to be trouble and she sent Taige here to help me cover my ass. Linc, there are some big-ass problems going on here and I need to know what’s going on with your daughter.”

He stared at her face, her eyes, vivid and intent.

The tension, the fear that had been mounting in him for the past hour—more—felt like it abruptly drained out of him. A little pop practically sounded in his ear and he sagged, hauling her against him, uncaring of the blood that stained her shirt. It didn’t matter.

Nothing mattered.

He had a reprieve.

He was a cop and he knew what the truth was, knew it waited for him.

But that wasn’t why Jay was here.

All that frustration and fear came out of him in a shaking sigh and he slowly lifted his head, stared into her eyes.

Then, focused on just one thing, he nodded. “That’s not why you came.”

She touched his cheek. “No.”

Eyes closed, he pressed his brow to hers. Everything else could wait. He drew her body against his, breathed in the warm, soft scent of her. Right now, this was all that mattered. He could have one night where he pushed everything to the side…right?

 

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Wrecked… and Razed

In a moment of shocking glee, I saw that WRECKED made it into the DABWAHA… (say it three times fast, I dare you…)

It’s the annual tournament of bitchery and bad-ass books created by Smart Bitches and Dear Author and WRECKED is one of the contemporary nominees.  I’m dying of delight over here.

Here… a snippet from the book…and actually, this entire scene is pretty much where the entire book came from. This scene was in my head within minutes of getting the idea.

 

“Have you ever been in love?”

In the middle of gathering up his supplies, he paused. Zach closed his eyes and started to mouth every single foul, nasty curse he could think of. He had four brothers. He could think of a lot of cuss words. Halfway through one that involved anatomical improbabilities and a goat, a hand touched his shoulder.

“Zach?”

Damn it, he couldn’t do this. Moving away, he started grabbing his supplies at random. Dumping trash, slamming the tools here, there. Being fucking careless with them, but he couldn’t look at her yet. If he did, she might see—

He went to dump the trash and turned around.

Abby was right there, dark brown eyes locked on his face, her shirt still knotted just under her breasts, leaving her belly bare.

“What is this?” she teased. “You make me play twenty questions all the time.”

Edging around her, he focused on cleaning up. “I’m thirty-two years old, Abby. Yeah. I’ve been in love,” he said, keeping his voice flat and his eyes on the task at hand. “It didn’t work out.”

“Why not?”

“She never seemed to notice that I was staring at her when she walked into the room.”  Eventually, he had to stop staring, because other people did notice . . . and then she started dating Roger, got engaged. She wasn’t his and he spent night after endless night wondering about all the chances he might have had.

Was he going to let that happen again?

Had fate dropped one more chance into his lap?

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And…

Since I’m so delighted, I’m gonna share the blurb for book 2.

Originally book 2 was titled SHATTERED…With more than a little dismay, I was told it was probably best we change it because there are more than a few SHATTEREDs out there and…well, okay.  Yeah, I’d rather have a title that stands out more, so after sulking, brooding and then emailing my favorite guru to bounce ideas around…

RAZED…

Tattoo artist Keelie Jessup can handle that someone else has claimed the man of her dreams. She’s just not pleased with her remaining options…

 

Keelie doesn’t believe in the “perfect man.” But the men who are worth the trouble are usually taken—like her business partner Zach Barnes. After a string of bad luck and the lost chance with Zach, Keelie decides that maybe flying solo—and living with suppressed desires—is the key to happiness.

As a photographer, Zane Barnes has an eye for the human form, and his eyes can’t get enough of Keelie’s curves. Unfortunately, Keelie is like most women—always fawning over his little brother, Zach. Zane is about ready to give up, but then a few stolen moments at his brother’s wedding have him thinking maybe there’s a chance there after all. Now he just has to prove that the perfect man does exist…for her.

Release date, cover, more info…all that jazz coming at a later date…