Excerpt: ABRA CADAVER, dark paranormal romance

My newest release is ABRA CADAVER, a dark paranormal romance from The Wild Rose Press. What happens when a Celtic warrior is cursed with the abra cadaver?

Burb:

Holly Brimmer never expected to be brought back from the dead. After a fatal car crash, a mysterious stranger gives her a second chance at life—but it comes with a price. To stay alive she must pay it forward, accomplish an important deed, thus making her mark in the world. Until she does, her savior is bound to her. Now she has a backyard full of dead bodies and one unwanted houseguest.

Keane Malson kills bad guys to keep the innocent alive, but he’s still a monster. Cursed by a witch moments before an honorable death on the battlefield, he’s lived thousands of years, roaming from place to place with no end in sight. It’s a lonely life…until he meets Holly.

When a wanted man targets Holly, Keane will do anything to protect her, even if it’s the last thing he
ever does. 


Excerpt:

Slowly, Keane sat up and ran a hand through his hair. Holly was enchanted by the way the black strands fell back into place. Her fingers literally itched with the need to feel Keane’s hair against her own skin so she stuffed her hands underneath her legs.
 
Keane slid his legs off the bed and, holding onto the headboard, he stood. Holly edged off the bed as well and prepared to support him. He held out a hand as if to tell her to give him a minute. He took a few steps deeper into the room and turned around.
 
“Feel better?” Sweet Mary, he looked better. Damn perfect standing at his full height and rubbing his stomach with his hand.
 
“Much.” He came to stand in front of her. He was close enough for her to wrap her arms around him, but she didn’t. “Don’t let me do that again, okay? I felt human for a few moments drinking that beer, but it’s not worth the pain.”
 
“Guess you need tighter supervision.” A heat washed over Holly’s cheeks as she glanced up. His eyes were back to the brilliant sky blue, his skin flawlessly pale.

“Yes, Miss Brimmer. That’s exactly what I need.” He grinned, and Holly forgot the rules.

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Post-holiday Blues

I love Christmas. The decorations, the baking, the parties, the magic! The time from Thanksgiving to Christmas is so full of anticipation. I don't even know what I'm anticipating anymore, but I feel the excitement just the same. Santa has long since stopped coming with something for me, but the holiday spirit is alive and well inside me.

Now, after the first week of January has passed, I'm officially bummed. The go-go-go engine of the holidays has ground to a halt and there's...there's...well...there's nothing to look forward to. I've taken down the Christmas decorations. The twinkly lights are back in their boxes. The stockings are rolled up and packed away. The only thing left is the apple-cinnamon candle that I haven't burned all the way down yet. I figure I'll hang onto at least the smell of Christmas for a little longer. Pathetic, right? Sigh.

I froze some Christmas cookies, because good Goddess, I couldn't eat them all. Well, I could, but that would come with some harsh side effects I'm sure. I'll nibble on them here and there and remember how much fun I had baking them. Santa would totally hire me for his bakery in the North Pole. :)

I have to remember not to let the post-holiday blues get me down. I'm going to look to my New Year's resolutions and get cracking on that list. It's a long one, full of goals and hopes. Time to reach for the stars, take the leap, chase the dreams. You know the drill.

I'm working on a new story that takes place in Boston. I'm excited about this project and hope it will keep me busy. Nothing like playing with new characters to combat the quiet of January.

What are you doing to keep busy in 2012? 

If you want a fun read to entertain you, try THE LAST STALLION. It's about a New Year's resolution that's a little difficult to keep.

Christine
http://www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com/

ABRA CADAVER, The Wild Rose Press, available now

Where is Winter?

I live in Rhode Island, and it's supposed to be winter here. I went for a walk with my dog yesterday wearing a fleece coat. No hat, no gloves, no scarf. Not an icy patch to be seen. Not a single snowflake. No arctic wind whipping at my cheeks. I'm not complaining. I'm just saying...it's kind of weird.

When you grow up in New England, you expect January to be white and wicked. Usually, by this point, you would have shoveled your driveway at least six times, hurt your back doing so about three times, and not be able to see a damn thing over the snow piles as you try to navigate your white-washed car out of the driveway. You would have broken in your snowboots, busted an ice scraper or two, built ten snowmen, gone ice skating, sledding, snowshoeing. You would have slipped fourteen times on your front walkway as you made the treacherous journey from your front door to the mailbox. School would have been cancelled at least twice or been delayed an hour or dismissed early. Something.

You wouldn't be driving with your window down. Riding your bike would seem ridiculous because of all the sand on the roadways. Kids would not be playing basketball in the street. I mean, I actually saw a guy grilling steaks on his deck as if it were a summer day! Smelled damn good, but you're supposed to be eating chicken soup in the dead of winter, right?

Again--and let me stress this--I'm NOT complaining. I'm digging this new "tropical" Rhode Island. Forty and fifty degree temperatures in January are like a dream come true to me. While I don't mind the cold and I love the beauty of a fresh snowfall, I'm deathly afraid of driving in the white stuff. Deathly. Nice, dry, non-slippery roadways are a gift and I'll take as many days of this as I can get.

But still...there's a little voice in the back of my mind that's saying, "This isn't right. What's happening to the planet? Exactly how much trouble are we in?" Anyone else worried?

If you live in an area that's supposed to be buried under snow, but isn't, you can download ALASKA HEART to get a dose of winter fun. I'm pretty sure it'll warm you up more than cool you off though. ;)

What's your favorite winter activity?

Christine

http://www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com/ 



 

Cadavers

Well, it's been super fun hanging out here at the Goddess Fish Party Pavilion. I'd like to thank our fine hosts and leave you all with one final peek into my work.

In January 2012, The Wild Rose Press will release my dark paranormal, ABRA CADAVER.

This story is the one exception to my titling rule. Usually I have to write an entire tale before I can settle on a title that I love. ABRA CADAVER, however, just came to me one day, and the characters, setting, and plot bloomed from there.

Blurb:
Holly Brimmer never expected to be brought back from the dead. After a fatal car crash, a mysterious stranger gives her a second chance at life—but it comes with a price. To stay alive she must pay it forward, accomplish an important deed, thus making her mark in the world. Until she does, her savior is bound to her. Now she has a backyard full of dead bodies and one unwanted houseguest.

Keane Malson kills bad guys to keep the innocent alive, but he’s still a monster. Cursed by a witch moments before an honorable death on the battlefield, he’s lived thousands of years, roaming from place to place with no end in sight. It’s a lonely life…until he meets Holly.

When a wanted man targets Holly, Keane will do anything to protect her, even if it’s the last thing he ever does.
Excerpt:

Slowly, Keane sat up and ran a hand through his hair. Holly was enchanted by the way the black strands fell back into place. Her fingers literally itched with the need to feel Keane’s hair against her own skin so she stuffed her hands underneath her legs.

Keane slid his legs off the bed and, holding onto the headboard, he stood. Holly edged off the bed as well and prepared to support Keane. He held out a hand as if to tell her to give him a minute. He took a few steps deeper into the room and turned around.           

“Feel better?” Sweet Mary, he looked better. Damn perfect standing at his full height and rubbing his stomach with his hand.

           

“Much.” He came to stand in front of Holly. He was close enough for her to wrap her arms around him, but she didn’t. “Don’t let me do that again, okay? I felt human for a few moments drinking that beer, but it’s not worth the pain.”

           

“Guess you need tighter supervision.” A heat washed over Holly’s cheeks as she glanced up at Keane. His eyes were back to the brilliant sky blue, his skin flawlessly pale.

           
“Yes, Miss Brimmer. That’s exactly what I need.” He grinned, and Holly forgot the rules.

Visit me at http://www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com/ to download my available books. Stop by again on January 4th to get your virtual hands on a copy of ABRA CADAVER.

Toodles,
Christine DePetrillo

Christmastime is Here...(Warning: Suggestive book covers included)

The tree is trimmed. The lights are hung outside. Candles are in the windows. Stockings are hung by the gas fireplace with care. Wreaths are in place, and I've already hosted a Christmas party.

Clearly, December has commenced.

I've started Christmas shopping, and fortunately my family is small. I'll probably be done next week. Don't hate me.

Christmas music is all I'll listen to now whether it's on the radio or from my private collection that includes everything from Kenny G to Transiberian Orchestra to Ray Charles. This time of year always makes me wish I could sing, but I'd have better luck carrying an elephant instead. The beauty of listening to this holiday music while driving alone in my car is that I can throw caution to the wind and sing my heart out without any nasty repercussions.

I also enjoy reading holiday books during December. This year I devoured Penny Watson's SWEET INSPIRATION, which is about one of the sons of Santa Claus. Witty, hot, and full of holiday cheer, this book helped me kick off my season on the right foot...or snow boot, that is.

I have two of my own holiday reads available from Whispers Publishing.

 

MIDNIGHT MISTLETOE
Art history professor Dr. Melina Fairlee refuses to spend Christmas alone in New York while her twin daughters enjoy the holiday with their father in Disney World. To escape a lonely December at home and to forget that her girls would rather be with her ex-husband, Melina travels to Spain on a mission to lose herself in the art museums of Madrid.

Dance instructor Diego Ramos always has a full dance card, but he’s tired of being nothing more than a quick tango. While he enjoys teaching his clients, he longs to share the beauty of dance with someone who knows how to heat up the floor…and him. Christmas with his family is just another reminder of the love he can’t seem to find.

On a snow-dusted Christmas Eve, Melina and Diego will celebrate the holiday in a way neither of them thought possible. The gifts they give each other under the mistletoe will set Madrid on fire, but how long will the blaze between them last?

IN THE NICK OF TIME
You never know what you'll find under the Christmas tree.  

Electrician Ivy Garrow would rather be at home in Rhode Island enjoying a snow-covered New England Christmas. Instead she's trapped in the Hawaiian heat at her sister's wedding. An entire continent separates Ivy from her annual holiday fun.

Canoe builder Nick Huntley can't wait to dump off his current passenger, a bride with the body of a goddess and the arrogance to match. When he arrives at the wedding and meets the bride's sister, Nick is ready to row away from double the hassle.

Is Christmas magic possible when the air is filled with sunshine and ukulele music?
Visit me at http://www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com/ to download both today and get filled with holiday spirit!

Happy Holidays!
Christine DePetrillo 

Kittens, Kittens, Kittens!

Earlier I blogged about my pup, Anubis. It's only fair that I give my kitties their fair coverage. My youngest cat, Jamu, is a black and brown tabby with a white V at her neck. She's the snuggler in the family. I can always count on her to keep my lap warm. She's also the sweetest furry family member. Never acts up, doesn't destroy anything, and really just lives for deli meat. Here she is.

Ain't she a tiger cub? Unfortunately, she's a bit less than a tiger. Everything spooks her. Doorbells, small children, shadows. Oh, well.

My older cat, Shikari, is a true witch's familiar. She's all black with huge yellow eyes. She's beautiful and she knows it. For a small cat, weighing only about 8 pounds, she's got all the confidence of a huge jaguar. She enjoys sitting on my window sill in my living room and conjuring up lightning storms. As bold as she is though, I do catch her every so often hiding out in our bathroom sink. She does that when she's stressed. Silly cat. Here she is.

Can't you just tell she's casting as spell? Hope you haven't gotten on her bad side.  :)

I love BIG cats too. In fact, my book, ALLEY CAT, was written because of my love of sleek, black jaguars. In this tale, Renn Tigris is next in line to be king of the Felinians, but he must find a mate first. He visits our world and immediately falls for photographer, Shara Dumorte.

Here's an excerpt:

She turned her attention to the growing heat

beneath her. Taut muscles worked hard under the

fur pressed into her palms. Though a man had

originally offered her help in the alley, no man was

with her now. Her only guide at present was this

animal moving lithely, swiftly through the

thickening forest.

Its pace slowed, and a bright yellow-green

eye came into view as the creature’s head swung to

the right. Moonlight filtered through the treetops,

revealing a regal profile.

A cat. A huge, black panther to be exact.

Nostrils flared, breathed in scents, analyzed,

decided. Whiskers twitched, and the massive feline

leaped to a flat rock as Shara held on. It lowered

its body so she could slide off. The fur was a silken

sheet beneath her hands. A fleeting desire to get

naked and rub her body, cat-style, over the fur

almost consumed her.

Before she gave in to the ridiculous

yearning, the panther shimmered—like a quick

blurring of reality—and a naked man stood before

Shara.

Her eyes combed over the well-defined

contours of his body. Long legs, powerful arms,

strong shoulders. Muscles gave his skin an athletic,

chiseled look, and Shara wanted to spend eternity

admiring him. Perhaps admiring wouldn’t be

enough.

The man’s chin-length black hair looked as

soft as the fur of the panther. Shara reached out a

hand, not able to control the desire to touch him.

Quick as lightning, however, he disappeared over

the side of the rock. An instant emptiness filled

Shara. She took a step in the direction he had fled,

but within a moment, he was back and adjusting

the folds of a long, charcoal overcoat. Shara

stumbled back, but couldn’t help being a little

disappointed he was so thoroughly wrapped.

“What are you?” she whispered.

To download ALLEY CAT today, visit http://www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com/.

Toodles,

Christine DePetrillo

Free Holiday Read!

Stop over to The Roses of Prose blog to read a FREE holiday read, A HOLIDAY TO REMEMBER, written by ten lovely authors. I wrote the segment posted today and the one that will be posted on December 14th.

Blurb:
Candy Wright didn’t become a high-powered Manhattan business executive by letting men walk all over her. She watched her mother work herself to death to give her daughter a better life and is determined to make her proud. If that means not risking her heart, not letting any man get too close, then so be it.

Mitch Johnson lives a simple life in rural Georgia. Holding his secrets close. Hiding from the life he left behind. The last thing he wants—or needs—is a woman to remind him of his past.

When the two are thrown together in a freak snowstorm, sparks fly. Mitch is everything she’s worked to escape. Candy is a reminder of his painful past. But the attraction between them won’t be denied. Will love thaw their frozen hearts, or will secrets tear them apart? One thing is certain; it will be a holiday to remember…

Toodles,

Christine DePetrillo

http://www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com/

Puppies, Puppies, Puppies!

Did I get your attention? Nothing like the word "puppies" to raise your interest, right? On Wednesday, November 23rd, I got my first puppy. He's an all black German Shepherd. This is him.

His name is Anubis after the Egyptian guardian of the underworld who is portrayed as having the head of a jackal which looks very similar to a full grown German Shepherd. He's 11 weeks old and already understands the commands "sit," "stay," "come," and we're working on "shake." He loves to play games in our backyard. His favorite is chasing a tennis ball knotted onto a rope that we swing in a circle. He'll chase it until his legs no longer work!

I've always considered myself a "cat person." I have two, whom you'll meet in subsequent posts today. I got more interested in dogs after writing my book, ALASKA HEART.

In this tale, the hero, Dale Ramsden Jr. is the youngest Iditarod winner. He has eighteen Siberian huskies that he uses as sled dogs. I had so much fun researching the features and care of this magnificent breed. Giving the main dogs, Gyspy and Zynk, their own personalities also allowed me to think like a dog for some of the book.

When giving a character a pet, or in this case, a whole team of pets, you get the rare opportunity to say something about the character without having to spell it all out. The way Dale interacts with his dogs speaks volumes about the kind of man he is. It also says a little something about how he'd treat the woman of his dreams, nature reporter, Alanna Cormac. A man who can successfully manage eighteen full grown dogs in an organized fashion also lets readers know Dale can multitask, a very sexy skill in my opinion. Right up there with six pack abs and the whisper of a stubbly beard. Now that's a MAN!

While my pooch, Anubis, has a great deal to learn about how things work in my family, I know he'll be whipped into shape just like Dale's dogs in no time. 

Here's an excerpt from ALASKA HEART:

He closed the door behind him, and I stood in

the kitchen for a long moment. I turned toward the

window over the sink when barking erupted from

the backyard. Dale had entered the dogs’ enclosure,

and every one of the dogs was on its feet, crowding

around him. Gesturing, Dale got all the dogs under

control in seconds. Each one sat on its haunches in

front of its own doghouse as he went into the shed.

The dogs waited patiently while he prepared their

food. When he came back outside and placed bowls

in front of each dog, they dove into the food on his

signal.

Dale was impressive to watch. He leaned

against the shed, waiting for the dogs to finish. As

his head turned skyward, the sun illuminated his

chiseled features. He fished a pair of sunglasses

from his jacket pocket and popped them on, which

made him look more like a famous athlete somehow.

Dale patted his chest, and Gypsy rose on her

hind legs until her front paws rested below his

shoulders. He closed his arms around the dog and

stroked her furry back. His lips were moving. What

secrets was he telling Gypsy? She licked his chin,

and he laughed as he wiped off her slobber. He

pointed to the ground, and Gypsy dropped to all

fours next to him.

I was about to end my Dale-watching and hunt

down my laptop when he turned toward the window

and waved.

“Now how did he know I was still here?” I said to

Zynk, who had come to sit almost on top of my feet.

I waved back and forced myself to leave the

kitchen. “I’ve got to get this article done, Zynk,

because ninety-nine percent of my brain wants to be

focused on that man ninety-nine percent of the

time.”

Zynk let out a bark.

“Okay, okay. You’re right. It’s one hundred

percent of the time.”

 

To order your copy of ALASKA HEART in print or e-book, visit me at http://www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com/.

Toodles,

Christine DePetrillo