Cover Reveal: Born of Magic

d99bf-bornofmagic72lgHere it is! The second book in my Gargoyle Masters series is titled Born of Magic and it will be out this summer. This is Master Wynnston and Master Kephas’ book. Here’s a sneak peek:
 
Guarding a kingdom takes mere strength. Guarding their hearts takes something more.
As his month-long guard duty comes to an end, Master Wynnston should be looking forward to well-deserved time away from the king’s castle. Instead, he feels strangely reluctant to leave. When Zephara of the Pastelle race arrives, he realizes why.
The stunning, silver-eyed ambassador is the woman his heart, body, and soul have been waiting for. She’s also a powerful wizard who will endure the test of the Twenty. Wynn has never been afraid to woo a strong woman, but winning and keeping Zephara’s love will test him to the limit.
Meanwhile, pure chance has finally led Master Kephas to find the runaway Princess Theodora. But before he can return the frightened, skittish beauty to her father, he must win her trust—and her heart.
Physical strength will do Wynn and Kephas no good as they face their challenges. And two women will search deep within themselves for the strength, courage—and tenderness—to bring two powerful men to their knees. 

Warning:  If you’re looking for ugly stone creatures, move along—you won’t find them here. If you like hot, protective, males who aren’t intimidated by strong, assertive females, settle in and turn the page.

Spotlight: Surrendering to the Beast by Tina Donahue

To celebrate the upcoming release of Surrendering to the Beast, Tina is giving away FIVE full-length, bestselling, award-winning romances to one lucky winner – 25 titles to choose from.

Surrendering to the Beast Paperback Look
SURRENDERING TO THE BEAST
(Book Two – Taming the Beast series)
Erotic Paranormal – Romantic Comedy
by Tina Donahue

AmazonSamhainBN
Available for pre-order September 13
Ready to read October 13
Surrendering to the Beast - Teaser 3




Blurb: When she’s good, she’s very good. But when he’s bad, she’s better. Taming the Beast, Book 2 As a good fairy, Heather is empathetic and chaste to a fault. No bad language, no dirty thoughts, flirting and no sex. But when a satyr named Daemon steps up to her reception desk at From Crud to Stud, she finds herself on the fast track to exquisite corruption. Daemon is the total bad-boy package with a kiss straight from the dark side. Though he’s here for a supernatural makeover, Heather can’t imagine why any red-blooded woman would want him to change. A disciple of the god of wine, Daemon has had his share of good times. But sex has never been this good. Heather brings out a new side of him, a side that makes him want to protect as well as pillage. But Daemon needs a little creative backup to help set his fairy’s naughtiness free. And that means bringing in Mistress Jin. Under the genie’s tutelage and Daemon’s shameless lust, Heather is about to learn what it means to let loose.

Warning: Not your typical bedtime story. May lead to indecent behavior, a taste for voyeurism, discipline, bondage, m/f, m/f/f and f/f action, which will result in screaming orgasms. Proceed with caution.
Excerpt:

Heather steeled herself to do battle with Satan. Cautiously, she faced her webcam and his image on her computer monitor. This evening, he’d assumed the form of a European playboy, a snifter of cognac held casually in one hand, dark hair slicked back, his blood-red ascot contrasting nicely with his white shirt and navy blazer. He certainly knew how to dress.
 “Cara mia.” Heat smoldered in his voice and dark eyes. “What can I do to you?”
 “For me,” she corrected gently, wondering when he’d ever get that right.
 Grinning, he focused on her white peasant blouse and jutted nipples, her areolas tightened from the chilly weather, not him. Tonight was damp and cool thanks to a spring storm that continued to rage in the French Quarter. Lightning flashed and the office lights flickered. Flames flared briefly in his pupils.
“We’ll do many things to each other, no?”
Heather smiled politely, a knee-jerk reaction for a good fairy. Needing to get tough, she held up his overdue bill, hoping he’d look at it rather than her chest. Her hand shook so badly the paper rattled. 
“How you tremble,” he cooed. “How pale you are. Allow me to put some color in your lovely cheeks. Heat that will last an eternity.”
Her skin got even clammier. “Please, just pay your account.” She waved the paper and talked fast before losing her nerve. “Your grandson failed to show for his last two appointments. I’m sure he had a good reason. Unfortunately, he didn’t call to cancel.” She offered an apologetic smile and pressed on. “Because you’re the cardholder, we had to charge you for the time. I’m so sorry, but it is the rule.” One she was honor-bound to enforce as an employee of From Crud to Stud, a makeover service for supernatural beings.
Howls from weres, hisses from vampires and obscenities from demons poured from the treatment rooms. Those poor souls were going through proverbial hell to suppress their beasts. They longed to date mortal women without freaking them out, while also winning their hearts the normal way. With real charm, not magic, with integrity and love, not lies and manipulation. But these makeovers took the staff’s valuable time and clients needed to pay for the effort. Even Satan should understand that. 
He gave her an indulgent smile. “What charges?”
Gasping, she dropped the flaming paper in her trashcan before it burnt her fingers.
“Later,” he said and killed the call.
Hurriedly, Heather put out the small blaze, chiding herself for letting the account get to this point. She should have been firm with Satan’s grandson when he signed up for the service. Determined to make up for being too nice, she brought up her bank account to pay the charges herself. She was about to transfer the funds when the lights flickered twice, thunder boomed and the front door flew open, banging against the wall. She flinched. A blast of dank air and rain blew inside, followed by a guy who looked to be thirty or so. He wore a black cowboy hat, snug navy tee, low-slung jeans and cowboy boots. Once he shoved the door shut, he slumped against it, breathing hard.
Heather stood so quickly her chair rolled into the wall. He didn’t notice. He’d closed his eyes and raised his face to the ceiling, his prominent Adam’s apple bobbing with his hard swallow. Alarmed yet intrigued, she regarded the short, dark hairs on his throat and took the rest of him in. His rain-dampened hair was the color of dark chocolate, thick and wavy, flowing to his broad shoulders. They heaved with his next ragged breath. Tall, possibly six-three, he was lean yet muscular. His wet tee clung to his well-defined pecs and abs, those bruising biceps. Stubble covered his strong jaw, upper lip and cheeks. His bronze skin spoke of days in the sun.
Even from where she stood, Heather smelled his scent. Clean and masculine, a woodsy, fresh fragrance along with something else…the unmistakable odor of liquor. Uh-oh. It wasn’t often that mortals, drunk or otherwise, happened upon this place. When they did, Heather had ironclad rules to follow. First, buzz Constance, a voodoo priestess who could remove memories by laying her hands on someone’s head. Following that, Heather was supposed to buzz Becca, a half-mortal witch who owned this place. Heather leaned over her desk to press the intercom button. The guy turned to her, blinked slowly and stared. Her hand stalled. His eyes were amazing, the color of Lipton tea, ringed by long, sooty lashes, his attention riveted as he drank her in. Given his slow, sexy smile, Heather suspected he was undressing her with his eyes. She swallowed and was about to press the button when he groaned suddenly and mournfully, the sound of someone in serious pain.

Heather paused and decided not to call for anyone just yet. “Are you all right?”
Surrendering to the Beast - Teaser 2
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About Me (You know you want to know!): I’m an award-winning, bestselling novelist in erotic, paranormal, contemporary and historical romance for Kensington, Samhain Publishing, Ellora’s Cave, Siren Publishing, Booktrope, Luminosity, Decadent, and indie. Yay! Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised my work, and trust me, I’m forever grateful for that. I’ve had my books reach finals in the EPIC competition, one title was named Book of the Year at a review site, and others have won awards in RWA-sponsored contests. I’m actually featured in the 2012 Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. Talk about feeling like a freaking star. Before my writing career, I was the editor of an award–winning Midwestern newspaper and worked in Story Direction for a Hollywood production company. Outside of being an admitted and unrepentant chocoholic, I’ve flown a single-engine plane (scary stuff), rewired an old house using an electricity for dummies book, and have been known to moan like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally whenever I’m eating anything Mexican or Italian. Yeah, I like to eat (burp). You can check me out here – yes, I am everywhere! 🙂
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Email: tina@tinadonahue.com
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A New Release from Tina Donahue!

He’ll unleash her indecent desires…in the most provocative way possible


Working for a celebrated photographer of lush nudes, many with BDSM themes, isn’t easy for Jodi. She’s full-figured, wholesome and longing for Mac, her bad boy boss. His shaggy hair, wicked tat and total hotness make her dream of ditching her work as his assistant to get down on her knees as his eager sub. If he’d only notice her.


Who says he hasn’t? As laid-back as they come, Mac can’t get over how uptight Jodi is around him…like he might bite her. Not what he has in mind. Her guileless nature and voluptuous figure do dangerous things to his self-control.


Lucky for him a client’s request has Jodi finally yielding to her sensual nature, because Mac’s fully prepared to dominate, demanding her submission, delivering punishment. In other words, an erotic takeover.


EXCERPT:

Mac slung the leather strap over his shoulder and dropped the manacles on a table to the side. The lightweight metal clinked delicately in comparison to the noise of the savage music. Its harsh bass matched his pounding pulse.

He’d done it again. Without even trying, he’d run Jodi off. Every time he caught her watching him, she acted as though he was going to bite her…or maybe fire her. Was she worried about losing her job?

Mac hadn’t a clue. Since he’d been old enough to notice women, their emotions had baffled him. In middle and high school, the girls had liked how he looked and he sure as hell loved how they felt, so they’d hooked up for some good times. When those brief encounters had ended, there were endless recriminations and tears from the girls. Eventually, he’d learned to expect that. Females got pissed about nearly everything. They cried. They also survived to weep another day.

During college, he’d admittedly acted like a dog, mounting every woman who moved. No way would he get married even once or—god forbid—would he repeat his parents’ mistakes by tying the knot more than once. He was simply out for a good time and an education. Again there’d been the breakup fights. His ex-girlfriends always avoided him as they would an STD. But he’d never had a woman behave that way before he’d even touched them.

What was with Jodi? More than once, Mac had sensed her interest, seeing desire in her eyes when he unexpectedly caught her watching him. At first, he’d thought she’d disapproved of him photographing nudes for a living—especially with the added debauchery of BDSM. That notion had died a quick death when he’d noted her flushed cheeks and barely contained excitement.
No different from a few minutes ago.

For a second, she’d surrendered within his gaze, her hazel eyes glistening with arousal. Her lips had parted in seeming anticipation of his tongue or maybe his cock. In that moment, he’d again recognized a kindred spirit. She liked naughty games. She wanted a Dom to punish her for being bad then love her until he’d drained away her doubt, replacing it with wonder and joy.

Mac liked that. He enjoyed her.
Jodi didn’t come on strong like most of the women he knew. Shit, she didn’t come on at all. She sure as hell didn’t worry about her looks, which was a relief. Mac couldn’t count the times he’d tried to have a real conversation with one of the models—discussing the craziness of a current war or the horrors of the latest workplace shooting—only to have her nod absently while she caught glimpses of herself in any reflective surface she could find.

Jodi didn’t do that. She was unbelievably levelheaded and genuine. With her, Mac sensed a man could be himself. He wouldn’t have to put on a show and prove he was more than he could ever be. Imperfect was good enough. Being simply human would suffice. Her quiet manner and intelligence not only comforted, it aroused.

BUY IT HERE












BIO
I’m an award-winning, bestselling novelist in erotic, paranormal, contemporary and historical romance for Kensington, Samhain Publishing, Ellora’s Cave, Siren Publishing, Booktrope, and indie. Yay! Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised my work, and trust me, I’m forever grateful for that. I’ve had my books reach finals in the EPIC competition, one title was named Book of the Year at a review site, and others have won awards in RWA-sponsored contests. I’m actually featured in the 2012 Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. Talk about feeling like a freaking star. Before my writing career, I was the editor of an award–winning Midwestern newspaper and worked in Story Direction for a Hollywood production company. Outside of being an admitted and unrepentant chocoholic, I’ve flown a single-engine plane (scary stuff), rewired an old house using an electricity for dummies book, and have been known to moan like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally whenever I’m eating anything Mexican or Italian. Yeah, I like to eat (burp).
You can check me out here – yes, I am everywhere!  J
Amazon author page: http://amzn.to/1ChWFkO
My page at TRR: http://bit.ly/1vb7eEc
EC Author Page: http://bit.ly/1Dh9wor
Samhain Author Page: http://bit.ly/1Bvw6mL
Sweet ‘n Sexy Divas: http://bit.ly/1ChWN3K
Romance Books 4 US: http://bit.ly/1JPtfeS

CONTEST

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In Just Ten Days…

…I’ll have a new release to share with y’all. Want to know more about it now? Then join me on Facebook today as I talk about my Archangel series from Entangled Publishing. 

This series has hot heroes and sassy heroines, all fighting the good fight in my hometown of Houston, Texas. I’ll reveal my new book cover and there will even be an interview with the heroes of my first two books in this series. And of course there will be prizes! 

Tina Donahue’s Newest Release!

BROUGHT TO HIS KNEES BOXED SET

Make Me Surrender – included novella by Tina Donahue


The Alpha male. Strong. In control. Letting no one and nothing rule him…until he meets the one, and all bets are off. The world tilts, the bed rocks, and suddenly that tough guy finds himself Brought to His Knees—in more ways than one.
This collection of ten hot to erotic novellas and one short erotic novel will take you on journeys of lust, love, and adventure, leave you breathless and quite possibly in need of a cold shower.
Enter with anticipation. Finish satisfied…


Make Me Surrender (menage):


She has a proposition…to win their attention, passion, hearts.

For over a year, Mercy’s had her eye on Travis and Dutch, two of the hottest guys on the Oregon coast. Dark and dangerously virile, Travis owns a saloon that caters to bikers. Dutch looks like one, right down to his impressive tats, and operates a motorcycle repair shop on the premises.

When a position opens in the saloon’s kitchen, Mercy sees a way to be near these sinfully sexy men, wanting the job and lodging, her cabin snuggled between theirs.

Travis isn’t so sure about having Mercy nearby. She’s deliciously curvy, but too nice. He’s into temporary fun. To Dutch, forever is a dirty word.

Imagine their surprise when sweet little Mercy encourages wild nights of carnal pleasure with a dash of bondage and spanking…followed by friendship and tenderness.

Before she’s through, these tough guys will be the ones who’ve surrendered. 

99¢ for a limited time

11 NEW romances by today’s hottest romance authors

PRE-ORDER!

AVAILABLE: August 19

New Release! Born of Stone

Today is release day for my newest book: Born of Stone! This is the beginning of a romantic fantasy series about Gargoyles…and the women who love them.


Blurb:


Within a body strong as stone beats a heart ready for love.


For seventy years, Orestes and his eleven gargoyle brothers have done their duty to protect King Kadmos’ realm. There’s only one annoyance in his life—humans.


He’s content to leave them to their idol worship. Until he notices a small, frail woman serving at his table, doing her best to remain invisible. Something about her calls to him like no human before.


Astrid is terrified. Not of the powerful magical creature with kind eyes, but of the staff overseer’s lash for calling attention to herself. Instead she finds herself whisked away to paradise, where she is bathed, fed, and made love to by Orestes as if she is his reason to live. But she isn’t naïve enough to believe she is anything more than a temporary diversion.


When Orestes is called away to search for a missing brother, Astrid is kidnapped by traitors intent on using her to bend Orestes to their will. Little do they know that the connection between them is no weakness, but a strength their enemies would be fools to  underestimate…


Warning: This book contains paranormal fighting, steamy sex scenes, strong-willed females, and men made of stone who prove to be soft as butter in the right hands.



Read an excerpt and buy it here: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/born-stone-p-73413.html


Here: http://www.amazon.com/Born-Stone-Gargoyle-Masters-Missy-ebook/dp/B00IBDKQIY


And here: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/born-of-stone-missy-jane/1118602499?ean=9781619220232

To celebrate this new release I’m giving away a $25 Amazon gift card! Enter here: http://www.bittenbybooks.com

New Release & New To Me Publisher!

Whoohoo, I can finally share my exciting news!! I’m now a published Entangled author. Today’s new release is the first in my new Archangel series, and these men are HOT. The first book is about Zerachiel, known as Zerach to his friends and employees.

Here’s a taste:

As the owner of a string of successful nightclubs all over the world, Zerach can have any woman–except for his assistant Isadora O’Donnell. First off, Isadora isn’t a one-night-stand kind of girl, and second, her dominating godparents don’t approve of him. There’s also the fact that he is an archangel with a mission to protect humans from demons, something Isadora can never find out about. 
Isadora secretly longs for Zerach’s attention but her scarred body and his playboy ways keep her from acting on her feelings. With her only family on the brink of bankruptcy, she’s determined to help them, even if it means trying to forget Zerach and marrying the womanizing Jake, a man she’ll never love. 
Zerach tries to keep Isadora at arm’s length, but when a demon starts stalking her, Zerach will stop at nothing to protect the woman he loves. But protecting her could cost him his wings. 
Want more? Read chapter one here.
I’m also celebrating this new release with two other Entangled authors releasing today. Join our Facebook party here.
And last but most certainly not least is the virtual book tour I’m doing to spread the word. There is a $25 gift card on the line. So be sure to check it out here.


New Release! Erotic Influence

Available today! This is my 11th Ellora’s Cave Publishing ebook, and the sequel to Erotic Images. Erotic Influence is the story of a shy girl who fantasizes about the hot guy who lives across the street. But she just cast muster the courage to talk to him.

Here’s a peek:

Annie may be a shy twenty-something who spends her days keeping track of her wayward teenage sister, but Rick noticed her living across the street as soon as he moved in. Now he can’t stop fantasizing his sweet, innocent neighbor and wanting her has become an obsession. He just has to convince her to give him a chance instead of always running away.
Annie has plans for her life but has to help her sister get into college first. Then Rick comes along and proves to be a help as much as a distraction. All she has to do is pose for his friend, an erotic photographer. Not only will she earn the money needs for her sister’s college fund, Rick’s erotic influence just might liberate her enough to become his woman too. It’s a chance she’s more than willing to take…so long as no one finds out what she’s doing.
A Romantica® contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave


Want more? Here’s an excerpt:

By reading any further, you are stating that you are at least 18 years of age. If you are under the age of 18, please exit this site.
An Excerpt From: EROTIC INFLUENCE
Copyright © MISSY JANE, 2014
All Rights Reserved, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.
Rick was about to give up and head home when a very sleepy-looking Annie finally opened her front door. She was adorably rumpled and had neglected to put her glasses on. Large green eyes blinked up at him in confusion and he couldn’t help but smile.

“Hey, beautiful, did I wake you?”

Her sweet mouth dropped open but nothing came out. He took the opportunity to lean forward and kiss her lips. She moaned into his mouth and he pulled her into his arms. A sense of peace settled over him and he knew that was what had been missing all week. He deepened the kiss until she melted against him.

The sound of a car passing had her jumping back. He released her reluctantly and glanced behind him. It was someone from farther down the road whom he didn’t know. The car didn’t even slow down.

“Rick. I wasn’t expecting you,” Annie said.

He appreciated the breathless quality of her voice. At least she seemed to be as affected by their kisses as he. He ran a hand over his face and gave a short nod. “I’m sorry I haven’t been by all week. I got busy with work unexpectedly.”

“Oh.”

“Can I come in?”

Confusion crossed her features for a second before clearing into a smile. “Yeah. My dad’s working late.”

“Perfect.”

She moved back and he stepped into the dim interior. Only the bright Texas sunlight breaking through the cracks in the blinds illuminated the living room. Somewhere down the hallway another light was on. He guessed it to be her bedroom.

She shut and locked the door once he was inside and he couldn’t keep from touching her. Luckily she didn’t protest when he pulled her against him again. He rubbed his lips against hers slowly before slipping his tongue into her mouth.

“Mmm, you taste so good,” he whispered.

“Y-you too.”

That made him smile and he pulled back to look down at her for a moment. “How late is your dad working?”

“Until six or seven. He wasn’t sure. Tammy’s working ’til seven for sure.”

“Good. That gives us plenty of time.”

“For what?”

Rather than answer, he took over her mouth again.

He wanted her in his bed. Or any bed really. But he knew that might be dangerous. She didn’t seem very experienced and he didn’t want to scare her away. Every reserve of patience might be tested by sweet Annie May, but he planned to take things slow and easy. The past week had been hell. Of all the times to be needed in the office every damn day, it had to be this week when he was aching to be with Annie. He’d gotten home late every night and her father had been home. Finally, today he had finished the project and hightailed it out of there early.

She melted against him and moaned as he suckled her lips. Her eager responses ratcheted up his arousal until he wasn’t certain he’d be able to pull away. Somehow he found the strength to stop kissing her long enough to make it to her room. She shut the door and he pressed her against it as he kissed her again. Her sweet flavor was addictive. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he dropped his hands onto her slender hips.

Luckily she wasn’t wearing her damn hoodie. He slipped his hands beneath her thin t-shirt and up her ribs until he encountered her bra. She shivered and pulled back, gasping in a much-needed breath.

“R-Rick…I’m not a virgin, but…”

“But?”

She sighed and leaned her head against his chest, hiding her expression. “I’ve only done this once before.”

Her softly spoken words left him both terrified and elated. He had guessed she was inexperienced, had almost hoped she was a virgin. The thought of another man touching her infuriated him, but at her age he had expected it. Knowing she had only been touched once helped…a little.

“That’s fine by me, baby. We can take things as slow as you need. All I want to do right now is make you feel good. I want to see you come apart in my arms.”

She shivered again and he took the opportunity to move her hair off her neck so he could taste her heated skin. She moved her head to the side and gave him better access. He slowly made his way down her throat to the top of her collar.

“Can I take your shirt off?” he asked.

Her short fingernails dug into his shoulders. “There’s not much to see.”

“Let me be the judge of that…please?”

What’s Coming in 2014

Last year was awesome in terms of my writing. I’m hoping to make this year amazing. Here’s a short list of what I’ve already got in the works, but I hope to add more to it:


New Releases for 2014

From Samhain Publishing:
Born of Stone 
Release Date: May                                         This book is about gargoyles and is set in a fantasy world with a medieval flare.                                     


From Ellora’s Cave Publishing:
Erotic Influence
Release Date: TBA
This is the sequel to Erotic Images with related cahracters, but it can be read alone.






From Entanlged Publishing:
Zerachiel: Archangels Book I (working title)
Release Date: TBA
This is the first in a series about archangels who live among humans.

I still have a ton of WIPs as well, including the sequels to They Call Me Death and Day Shift. I’m hoping to have both of those contracted sometime this year. As for appearances, I will be attending the Romantic Times Readers Convention in New Orleans in May, and will be signing at the large book signing event on Saturday. Also, if I have any print releases this year, I will organize a small book tour to promote that as well.

Stay tuned for more!

Spotlight on In Too Deep

From the author of Enslaved, Just Ink Press brings you R.C. Murphy’s vampires in her latest book, In Too Deep, the second in her vampire trilogy. Watch out for those Council Elders! They’re a pretty nasty bunch.

NOTE: In Too Deep is paranormal horror with a touch of romance and graphic details when it comes to the horror aspect.



Blurb:
Meghan Sterling—CIA agent.
For six months, she’s been living in Central California under the name Clara Osbourne—and not by choice. The Cold War is over; however, she’s still tasked with infiltrating a potential cell of Russian sympathizers, possibly ex-KGB operatives. The CIA has heard they’ve found a way to render the vast agricultural hub of Fresno, California useless, tainting the produce as well as beef, milk, and poultry produced in the county.


The problem is, the CIA has Meghan following the wrong group. She doesn’t realize their mistake until she’s already in too deep and working with Jarlan and his partner, Rich, in what she thinks is a security company guarding Emerald Produce. She’d never have guessed they were vampires. Until Jarlan forgets she’s off the lunch menu and attacks.


Meghan helps Jarlan control his bloodlust, but she can’t ignore her duty to her country. Someone in California wants to wreak havoc on the economy and food supply. If it isn’t the vampires, then who is it?


EXCERPT:
February 1992

Fog in California’s Central Valley was a creature not to be trifled with. It swallowed up buildings, cars, and people without a second thought. The fog took more lives than automatic weapons. A trickster on par with Loki, it manipulated distances, making people believe they had plenty of time to slow down, when in actuality they were seconds from becoming intimate with the rear bumper of a semi truck. Surviving the fog was the most difficult part of life in the valley. Or so Meghan thought.
Meghan Sterling tugged the scarf around her neck tighter and tucked the ends into the too-big uniform jacket hanging off her shoulders. Cold crept in on the heels of the fog. The warehouse parking lot she patrolled was damp, freezing, and didn’t make her job any easier. Whose brilliant idea was it to become a security guard? She cursed and shoved her gloved hands in her pockets. It was time to make another pass around the back quarter of the property. Whoop-dee-doo. More weeds and fog. And being forced to deal with the two men stuck working the graveyard shift with her.
Walking with her chin tucked into her scarf, Meghan made her way to the rear of the massive warehouse. Why farmers were so protective of a warehouse full of oranges, she had no clue. The money paid her expenses, but it wasn’t worth the frostbite and vampire-like work hours. She’d need a month-long vacation on the beach when the job was finished.
“Let’s grab a bite to eat,” a male voice said from around the corner of the warehouse.
Meghan stopped before she stepped into view, listening to her coworkers, despite the lack of movement, which made her colder. She had no desire to trade not-so-witty banter with them any time soon. They were okay on the eyes, actually possessed brains, but ran out of non-manly things to talk about after five seconds in her company. She couldn’t make herself pretend to be interested in the Superbowl.
“All you think about is your stomach, Jarlan. Give it a rest. We’re not done here. You can eat on the way home.”
“I’m tired of fast food. When’s the last time you sat down to a nice warm meal, Rich?”
“Too long to remember, but we agreed to this job. We can’t leave Clara to watch the place by herself.”
Jarlan laughed. “She’d piss herself watching shadows if she knew the truth.”
Meghan held her breath. Six months of lurking and waiting were about to pay off. She tucked in closer to the warehouse wall. The heel of her boot caught a pebble and ground it into the asphalt. The noise was deafening to her ears. This is why I’m not a ninja.
Cover blown, she plastered a smile on her face and stepped out to meet them near the back door, measuring her pace so it didn’t look like she’d been listening in. “Have the oranges turned into man-eating monsters yet?”
Rich shook his head and grinned. “No, not yet. All’s quiet here. What about the front, Clara?”
Meghan rolled her eyes, afraid for just a second they’d stick from the cold. “Not even a roach. What’s the point of babysitting produce at three in the morning?”
“Money.” Jarlan clapped Rich on the shoulder with one of his massive hands.
Could the guy be any bigger? He should be in the WWF, not in the middle of nowhere California. Then again, if he was who she thought he was, his size had a purpose. She needed to keep an eye on him.
“Money isn’t everything, friend.” Rich tucked a strand of his long brown hair into the knit cap pulled down over his ears. “We’re almost done for the night. Will you be okay by yourself until dawn?”
Nodding, Meghan waved them off. “Nothing ever happens out here. If something does, I’ll eat my boots.”
Jarlan’s hazel eyes fell to her feet. “Not much leather there. You’d have better luck getting a full meal out of a rat. They’re big enough out here, away from the city.”
Rats? Meghan had been trained to face a lot of things, but rats made her skin crawl with their naked tails and sharp teeth. Out in the sticks, they were the size of cats. She stole a look around the employee parking lot. Something skittered over the pavement near the eastern fence line. Her shoulders tensed. Please, don’t let it be a rat. She’d much rather face anyone stupid enough to cut the fence with three security guards standing in eyeshot.
A leaf tumbled into the jaundiced light puddled on the asphalt. Meghan shook her head and rolled her shoulders to shake off the tension.
The big man laughed. “Try not to bludgeon any foliage to death while we’re gone. If something posing an actual threat does come along, use the phone in the guard’s office. Stay out of the warehouse. Without the code, you’ll send an alert to the police and I’ll be stuck doing enough paperwork to level a forest. Take care, Clara.”
About the Author
R.C. Murphy spends her nights writing urban fantasy novels and a slew of short stories for her blog, The Path of a Struggling Writer. By day she is a not so mild-mannered housewife, wrangling vampires, demons, and various other nasty creatures. R.C. has joined forces with fellow writers, artists, and actors to form the Zombie Survival Crew where she reviews movies, TV shows, as well as penning articles on important survival skills.
Email: RC.Murphy5150 (at) gmail (dot) com