Monday, June 5, 2017

The Ripper's Daughter



Louisville, Kentucky 1898. 
Ten years earlier, Jack the Ripper terrorized London's Whitechapel district. Assigned to the case, Detective Inspector Nathan James discovered the Ripper's true nature, and made a decision that changed his life. But the murders stopped and the Ripper disappeared. Now living in Louisville, Kentucky, Nathan runs a saloon, while trying to keep his relationship with his manservant, Stephen, secret. He's never forgotten his failure to stop the Ripper, and when murdered prostitutes start showing up, suspects the elusive killer stalks the city's streets. But is the Ripper responsible for these deaths, and will he reveal Nathan's and Stephen's darkest secret?

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Excerpt

Something hit my back, knocking me forward. I hit the floor with a whoosh, lungs burning. A sharp pain raked across my back. Panic seized me. What was happening? Was I dying? I twisted, trying to throw the heavy weight off, but my body refused to cooperate.

Through a wavering haze, I looked up, unable to comprehend what I saw, and yet understanding it was a wolf. No, not a wolf. Rosie. Forepaws planted on my chest, she leaned down. Hot saliva dripped onto my neck.

I stared into a mouthful of fangs and swallowed hard. Adrenaline raced through my blood, yet my energy level had plummeted. I pushed against her broad, muscular chest, hoping to dislodge her, but her weight and strength surpassed mine, and sharp claws sought purchase in my flesh.

I screamed, writhing in pain. The coppery smell of blood filled my nose. My blood. Rage and fear fought within me, fueled by a desire to kill Rosie. I needed to escape this corpse‑infested hovel.

Instead, my world faded into a myriad of shimmering colors. Entranced, I gazed at this new scene, unable to look away.

A loud crack, then a mangled yelp.

I reached heavenward, trying to stop my beautiful aurora borealis from leaving. But my weakened muscles betrayed me, and my arms fell, useless, to my sides.

How strange and wonderful this afterlife seemed…

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Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Louisville Locales: Chapel in Eastern Cemetery



Sharing another scene from my stories: the chapel in Eastern Cemetery. Eastern has its own tragic history. I won't go into details, but it was discovered bodies had been buried on top of one another, and the cemetery had been abandoned and vandalized for years. Luckily, there are people taking care of the graves and the chapel. Eastern Cemetery has appeared in my short story "It's in Your Blood" and the angel paranormal suspense novella Exterminating Angel, as well as in current works-in-progress.

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Louisville Locales: Central Park

I'm not sure if I'll keep that title, but since many of my books are set in Louisville, Kentucky, I thought it might be fun to do a weekly or biweekly post where I share particular locations that take place in my books.

The first two pictures are from Death Sword. Central Park/Fourth Street is located in a section of Louisville known as Old Louisville, so named for its many Victorian houses. (I'll be sharing some in future posts.)

I could see Metatron and Karla sitting on this bench while she discusses her concerns with the king of angels about being forced to be an angel of death. Below are a couple of the walking paths Xariel might have taken when Metatron calls him to take her home.