Almost Done.

It is almost a reality. The second novel in the Temperature series will be in print soon. Things might change as I make revisions, but here is a clip from the upcoming book -

She thought it better to change the subject while he cooled off, “You said earlier about a woman that change everything for you before we bought tickets. Who was she?” The glare he gave her almost made Sally flinch, I’m batting a thousand today.

“Her name is Luana Seffrum,” He said flatly.

“You said is. Does that mean she’s still around?” Sally had started this new avenue to their conversation. She might as well see it through, besides Sally became curious about a woman connected to his past and still alive at that.

“Very much so. She would have been my wife before I died. The most luscious woman I’d ever met. Present company excluded of course,” he looked like he wanted to squirm out of his chair right then.

“Of course,” Sally replied a little sardonically. Finding her appetite returning, Sally reached for the large steak burger to occupy her mouth before she said anything more.

Bo sounded like was trying to backpedal from his comment, “Some in my village couldn’t compare to her. That’s not so true now that I’ve traveled beyond those limited boarders. You stand out among those women I’ve encountered.”

Around a mouth full of burger, as undignified as it was to talk like that, Sally said, “I had it on into your little black book? It must be a pretty big book if I’m being compared to centuries of ‘travel’ you’ve done.” She had to force the grin creeping up to stay away. His obvious discomfort and their conversation had eased worries of what would come soon. Playing with Bo like this relaxed her mind the most. It helped elevate her nervous twitch, too.

He gave out a hearty laugh at her goading. Bo was not falling for her ploy, “I have to give it to you. I almost saw the jealous streak running through you of Luana. She is deeply rooted in my past, but I plan to keep her there. She stirred my loins as a youth, but no more. I know her too well now to have that happen again.”

Sad that her game ended so soon, Sally asked directly, “You said she changed everything. Why?” She still wanted to know what she was to him if nothing else. I know so little about him; nevertheless, I trust him with my life.

Bo cocked his head to one side in thought, “Luana had been undead when I’d met her even though I didn’t know it at the time. Maybe it was fate or maybe luck on her part – in either case she was there to guide me when I became undead.”

“She took you under her wing as you did with me?”

“In a way. I tried to release you to the world when I had the chance, so what happened to me didn’t repeat itself,” he explained. “I only had her to rely on and teach me. I tried to give you enough guidance to find others of our kind and learn from them. I ended up relying on her for everything until I turn into a toy for her to use ruthlessly. I won’t bore you with the details, but I got the bitter end of what she plotted by being banished from the higher courts of our undead council for one hundred years.” Shame of his implied crime showed briefly, then vanished. “It’s where I first met Adelwin. He saw through her and had my ban lifted shortly after.”

“So you fell for her before turning and followed Luana around like a puppy waiting for her attentions? Doesn’t sound like you,” Sally doubted he could be so naive.

“Don’t you remember boys in school doing about the same thing? I was once like that, too. Boys are like that in every decade; it should be a given. What I learned from her outweighed my affections – real or benign,” Bo admitted. “Because of her betrayal, I’ve not seen Luana since. The council ordered her dismantled and buried. I don’t know what happened there after.”

I hope to offer this title in eBook, paperback, and this time in hardcover. Please check back soon to see where this will all end. There are two other books in the works for later this year. Check out an excerpt for one of those novels here.

A sampling of a New Book

Excerpt from Temperature: Bitter Cold (Title Pending)

(Visit http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/temperature/an-effort-to-publish to find out more.)

Gold had a way of locking memories away when used to restrain the undead. Sally had learned firsthand this truth when Bo had cuffed her in the motel room so long ago. He had forgotten to keep an eye on the setting sun before it was too late and Sally’s first taste of what effects sundown could have on her took over. That night had been a whirlwind of emotional turmoil tucked in with a deep sensual vibe to seduce, and a flock of unbidden memories not belonging to her as it drove her after Bo for release. Where was her friend, Bocnic Drewings? She could only hope he was not far behind to save her yet again. Thinking of her own past cleared the fog out of her mind to comprehend her present situation better. The Cross had her now.

“I see the small struggles you are having with the restraints. I assure you they are for our protection as much as they are for your own,” Sally watched his mouth curl up into a half-hearted smile when he finish. “As time passes we will consider removing them, but for now – please do try to find them comfortable.

“Where are my manners today; I never introduced myself. My name is Demric. I already know you, Sally, because we tried finding you earlier before those decrepit creatures muddled your mind up with lies,” He looked at her with saddened eyes, nearly bringing his lips to form a pout. Sally was already sick of hearing his voice but without any way to escape she sat through his treacherous speech.

Words crackled dry from her throat as she spoke, “Why did you chase us?” If Sally had enough juices to form spittle it would have ended up in Demric’s face. Thinking it over she was glad not to have any or her actions might have made things worse.

“Isn’t it the way of law enforcement in your country to pursue the criminals with some amount of force? My men were only trying to do the same thing by saving you from a fate God only knows would have happened. I was not there; however, my men had reports you would be going to trial and we wished to intervene. The spells around the area kept us from making it in time,” Demric paused to catch his breath before continuing and stopped her from interrupting with a wave of his hand. “I would have preferred to scoop you up from such disaster had I the ability. It seems we reacted too hastily as you made it out alive. That culprit was with you when my men spotted movement near the road. They had to act fast or fend off the creature protecting you.”

Anger touched her words emphasized by the disappearing dryness that plagued her throat as she worked to moisten her mouth, “He is not some kind of creature! That man did his best to save me when the chips were down. He even offered up his own life to protect me during the trial.”

“There, there. No need to get hysterical over the minor trial. We know all about that and more,” Demric flashed a quick smile, for reassurance she thought.

Her disgusted look she gave him did not perturb Demric from continuing, “It was set up to bring you to us. A way to guarantee safe passage from those cursed lands they inhabit to us. We wanted you safe and sound…”

“Bullshit.”

“Such language from a pretty girl. I know it’s hard to believe right now, but I already told you our efforts you think were to kill you had been directed to the one keeping you from us.” Demric shook his head for emphasis, “I wish you would see the facts clearly. Sally, our goal is not to convince you through torture; however, we will if it is what helps you to see the light.”

“You’re all crazy! How is that kind of treatment going to make me think any differently about the church’s motives? By the way, don’t call me girl again,” Sally said the last part almost too quietly for them to hear. She realized the threat would be laughed at. At least until she got free – she could be patient she hoped.

A chuckle escaped Demric’s lips as he spoke, “No, we just use time-tested methods that have worked repeatedly. Nothing against you, but your mind has been corrupted by otherworldly forces and we are going to help straighten you out.” He squinted at her curiously for a moment, “It won’t take long unless they made the influence burrow deep down into your subconscious. That might pose a problem, but you’ll live through anything we’ll do to you since meeting the afterlife means nothing to the undead.”

Sally stared in disbelief. How could someone become so twisted in their beliefs to accept such hogwash as he was spouting. It made her unable to reply. What the hell, she thought as the fear of what might come next covered her like a blanket; I have to get away from these freaks now.

As she struggled in vain against her bonds Demric called out to the man closest to Sally, “Knock her out for now. We’ll start in an hour.”

Shock fell over her face as the bulking man standing next to her lifted his rifle to strike her with the butt of his rifle. A voice from out of her view was Demric yelling, “Not like that…” but she never heard the rest of it as everything faded to black.