Hump Day Hook 3 April

Another Wednesday rolls around and so too does another Hump Day Hook! Last time I managed to get on to the HDH, I posted from Leader of The Pack; this time around, I shall once again. 
To read Hooks from other participants, check out the list here.



Derek kept stealing worried glances at her as she clutched his torn, now bloody shirt to the gaping wound in her side. The blood flow appeared to have slowed, but Krissy’s skin was pale, covered in sweat. She wasn’t doing too well.

He swore and punched the throttle again, no longer caring about caution. Throwing the little hatchback around a street corner, he didn’t pause to think about the people fleeing out of his path.

“Holy shit!” Neal mumbled in the back seat. “I forgot how much of a crazy you were behind the wheel.” Derek glanced at him in the rear view mirror, letting out a slight chuckle at Neal’s white knuckled grip on the seats.

Krissy moaned in the passenger seat, sobering the mood.

“You don’t have a first aid kit in this tin can, do you?” Neal sombrely asked.

Keeping his eyes on the road, Derek reached over to the glove box, pulled out a white bag with a red cross on it and handed it to Neal who then sat back to inspect the contents. “You know what you’re doing?”

“Of course I do. I was supposed to be a doctor remember, until…” They both knew exactly what Neal meant; the party that had changed both of their lives. “I may spend most of my time as a wolf, but the knowledge is still up here,” he continued, tapping his head.

Hump Day Hook March 13

Once again, I will be posting a hook from Wolf Smitten. Last week, it was from Once Bitten Twice Shy, book two in the trilogy. This week I'll post from Leader of The Pack, the final book. Next week, I'll be back to The Wolf In The Neighborhood... To check out other authors participating, check out the list here. This link even includes my guest of last week, Lilly VanHorn! That's right, our joint Hook last week enticed her to become a part of the ever-growing fun!

“You know It doesn’t like when you’re upset. We’ll stay if you need to talk.” He knelt before her and put his hand on her knee.

This time her smile was genuine, although only small. “It’s fine. He wouldn’t be able to sit for long.” Derek ducked his head in shame; although Krissy had no problem referring to the Wolf as another male presence, he wasn’t able to because he didn’t want to share Krissy with another male, even if it was part of him. He knew he shouldn’t be jealous of the Wolf but he wasn’t ready to share. In truth, he didn’t know if he ever would be which was one of the reasons, the main reason, that he was almost ready to say yes to the ‘cure’.
“I have the radio with me if you need us to come back. Don’t hesitate to use it.” He stared her down until she nodded in agreement.

“I’ll be alright, I promise. I might go for a little walk soon but I need to concentrate on this novel. Just go, do what you need to do.” He didn’t move so she leaned towards him, cupping his face with her warm hands. As she looked in his eyes, he knew it was both of them she was speaking to. “If you come back before you are ready today I will kick you out of camp. Go figure out what you want to do.”

Hump Day Hook Special

This week, I'm doing something different. I'm posting not only a hook from my own work, Once Bitten Twice Shy (sequel to The Wolf In The Neighborhood), I'm also posting a hook from Valkyrie Slumbering by  Lilly VanHorn. So you get double the fun, and double the authors! I do hope you enjoy, and don't forget to check out the other authors participating in Hump Day Hook!

Once Bitten Twice Shy:

Derek awoke the next morning in a haze, the previous night patches of blurred color and thumping noise. A vivid dream had woken him, a dream of old times in England with Aubree. He had dreamt of one of the many times they had gone on a pub crawl, to come stumbling home in the early hours of the morning and land in bed, hot and heavy. They would always wrestle over who was on top, but she would always win. The dream left him with such intense feelings, he swore he could still feel Aubree riding him. As his eyes fluttered open, shock rippled through him, to be swiftly replaced by the fury of the Wolf at the sense of betrayal. It wasn’t just a dream; she had taken advantage of his deep slumber to satisfy her own needs at his expense.
“Oh my god!” A loud exclamation by the door chased away the last of the cobwebs and shock. Krissy was standing in the door frame, the look on her face matching his own feeling of shock and betrayal. A roar exploded from within as the Wolf fought to break free and take its revenge upon this despicable female daring to take her own pleasure from this flesh promised to his Alpha female.


Valkyrie Slumbering:

Grím straightens and closes my fingers tight around the few precious coins I hold. “Well then, I have two horses. Ye may ride with me,” he says as he bows his head low, his long lashes sweeping dramatically.
It is just as likely that he wants someone to warm his furs at night as it is that he truly wants to assist me. And Odin help me, that thought isn’t at all unpleasant. But distractions are dangerous. Regardless, horseless and nearly copperless as I am, I am in no position to refuse him. “I couldn’t impose upon you,” I insist, not wanting to seem too easy.
“Nonsense. We half-elves should stick together,” he insists.
For several moments I stare deep into his startling blue eyes, searching for something in their depths. All I see is honesty and mirth. Deep down, I realize, I’m not ready to let him out of my sight. Finally, I ask in a guarded tone, “What would you require in return?”


Steamy nights in ancient Iceland, a search for vengeance, and creatures from Midgard complicating the whole matter. Rich in Viking lore, this fantasy novella will appeal to those who enjoy romance, fantasy, and erotica.

You can find Valkyrie Slumbering at the following locations:

Goodreads / Amazon / B&N / Smashwords

You can find Lilly VanHorn at the following locations:

Blog / Facebook / Goodreads / Twitter / Pinterest


Of course, you should all know where to find me, plenty of links here to buy and follow, but let me know if you're having trouble finding any links!

Hump Day Hook February 20

I know last time I gave you a hook from the short story The Return of Their Master. But I will leave that one until closer until it's released to return to it. For the time being, I'm going to focus on Wolf Smitten, with Book One out for just over a month now. This week is a taste from Once Bitten Twice Shy, Book Two. Keep in mind, this is unedited. 

“What is so funny,” Aubree asked as she tucked in to her slice of pie.

“Oh, just thinking,” Derek replied.

“Of what?” she demanded.

“Of me,” came Krissy’s voice from over Aubree’s shoulder. “Good morning, darling,” she then directed at Derek as he slid across to give her room next to him. They greeted each other with a tender kiss, longer than necessary.

Pulling out of the kiss, the couple looked across to the intruder who was fuming. “Jealousy is not a good look on you, honey,” Krissy contritely quipped, gently smiling at the woman who thought herself a competitor.

For the third time in only a few minutes Darla returned to the table with the coffee pot, a clean mug and another plate with Krissy’s own piece of pie. “Oh thank you, just what the doctor ordered.” Derek silently applauded Krissy’s composure in the face of Aubree’s clear fury.

“The pie is especially good today, sweetheart,” he told Krissy, winking at the pleasure on Darla’s face. Turning to Aubree he decided to make the introductions, however obvious and pointless may be. “So, my dear, here is my former lover from England, Aubree. You know the one who stomped on my heart when it was in need of some comfort. Aubree, this is Krissy, the woman who is currently giving my heart all the tender loving care it needs and then some.” Wrapping his arm around Krissy’s shoulders, he sighed with content. 

Hump Day Hook Feb 13

This is a hook from my short/novellette (depends what happens during edits because it's right on the border word count wise), The Return of Their Master. Haven't thought about this one for a while, it's waiting for edits so thought I might slip a hook from it in. 

It was my turn to grab his wrist, dragging him behind me as I marched to the corner up the back for some semblance of privacy. “I can’t,” I whispered loudly. “I can’t explain why but I just can’t. We can’t be.” I regretted my harsh tone but I knew it was necessary. He was better off without me in his life, no matter how dangerous even that was.  Tears threatened to well in the corners of my eyes but I fought them off, knowing it would demand an explanation I wasn’t ready to give.

Jake stared at me as though daring me to hold by my refusal before bowing his head and stepping back. “Alright then, if that’s what you want.”

“It’s not what I want, believe me, but it’s the way it has to be. I’m so sorry Jake.” It was getting harder to fight back to tears. I knew it was a losing battle so I had to get him to leave before I lost the fight. “You have to go, Jake. Please, just go.” I lowered my head, hiding my face as tears started to win. 

For other Hump Day Hooks, check out the "home" page here.

Belated Hump Day Hook

I must apologise that this is a little late, but Hump Day got rather hectic this week, with grocery shopping and trying to sort out our internet since it was running slower than a snail. But I'm here putting up the Hook now, so I hope you enjoy! With The Wolf in the Neighborhood released on the 15th, I thought I'd post a little Hook from it, get some interest going for this, my debut novella!
To check out other hooks, check out the list here.

“I’m certainly not complaining about the wakeup call. I just don’t want it to be some kind of obligation after last night, or – well, you know – before.”

“Let’s not talk about that right now. I just want to get as much of you as I can.” She leaned in for another deep kiss before he could say another word, grinding her hips as she did so. His moan in her mouth told her he was happy to forget about everything that wasn’t her on top of him.

His hands moved around to her back, holding her close, barely giving her the space to move back one last time. “So when is this sheet going to be removed from between us? We can’t give in to ecstasy with it still covering your waist.”

“You’re the one sitting on me, so I guess it’s up to you,” Derek replied, all sass and cheek.

The Wolf in the Neighborhood, Book One of Wolf Smitten, is a paranormal erotic romance novella, woven with suspense. It is available at the following places:

Naughty Nights Press eStore (available in ePub, Kindle and PDF formats)

All Romance eBooks 

Amazon

Amazon UK

Smashwords

Kobo

and coming soon to Barnes and Noble and the iBookstore (if it isn't there already)

Many places, most (if not all) formats, and no excuses :p Plenty of places to choose from, and reviews are welcome!

Hump Day Hook

That's right, I'm back with posting Hump Day Hooks. The past two Wednesdays were pretty crazy, so I had to skip them, unfortunately. It was the same for Sonja Blair, who was supposed to be doing Promo on Monday, but things going crazy in her world set her back as well. However, we're back to usual programming today, and her Promo will be posted tomorrow, so stay tuned for that, as well! 
Now, on to the Hump Day Hook! To see more participating authors, please visit the Facebook group: Hump Day Hook Facebook Group/ or the list here: Hump Day Hook Participant List

My Hook this week is once again from Leader of The Pack, Book Three in Wolf Smitten. With The Wolf in the Neighborhood's imminent release, I will post a Hook from it next week! For now, enjoy... (UNEDITED)


“Derek!” The high pitched scream split the air. He spotted a female wandering in the field looking for someone. The name struck a chord with the frightened part of him and he had the urge to run to her, tell her that he was fine but they had to leave now. It was a strong enough yearning his legs were moving before he was aware of it. The movement made the female turn but instead of seeing relieved joy in her eyes he only saw terror. He paused, hurt that she would be scared of him. Didn’t she love and trust him? One of the other females had dropped a mirror in her rush to leave and the flickering fire made the broken shards shine, drawing his eye. Picking up a larger piece he checked out his reflection, finally understanding why she was scared of him. It wasn’t his reflection looking back but that of a monster. Part wolf, part human, he was unrecognisable as Derek. He flung the glass at the fire, uttered a mournful cry and ran for the woods on the edge of the field.

Hump Day Hook: Leader of The Pack

Once again I bring you a snippet from Leader of The Pack, book three of the Wolf Smitten Trilogy. If you want to check out other Hump Day Hooks, head on over to http://kerriannecoombes.wordpress.com/, it's well worth it!!

Looking at him with concern, she surprised him with her question. “You haven’t been sleeping well, have you?”

“How did you know?” he asked with a slight frown on his face. He sat back, allowing Krissy to face him and prop herself up on her elbow.

“Come on, Derek, this is me we’re talking about. The past few mornings you have been awake early with heavy eyes and withdrawn. It takes you a while to get close to your usual self. Crawford re-entering your life has thrown you out of balance more than you’re willing to tell me about.” Krissy sat up properly, legs crossed. “You try to hide your thoughts but every now and then I catch a stray one and I know you don’t want to worry me but I’d rather you tell me that this is bothering you as much as it is. That is why I brought you out here. No distractions, with only me for company so you don’t have anyone asking questions or trying to make you decide one way or the other. It isn’t a light decision to enter in to but you shouldn’t be left to yourself. I told you on the drive up here that if you need to talk then talk!” She leaned forward and cupped his cheek with her hand. “I am here to help you decide. You don’t have to do this by yourself.”

Hump Day Hook: Leader of The Pack, Book 3 of Wolf Smitten

His breath sounded harsh to his ears as wind whipped past his face, feeling different somehow. There was less of a stinging chill to it except where it hit his eyes provoking tears. Trees blurred as he ran past and he almost tripped over a large rock he didn’t see until he was right on top of it. Screams around him in the woods frightened him and his heart pounded. A growl emanated from his lips, rumbling through his chest, agitating and angering him. The confusion won over and he whimpered, glancing around wildly as he tried to gain his bearings.


What had happened? he thought to himself. All he remembered was music, the roaring fire and joking with his school buddies. A sharp pinch in the back of his arm had him spinning around and he had come face to face with a familiar looking face. He couldn’t remember the young man’s name, but he knew him from somewhere. Before he could think on it more, screams and animalistic snarls erupted around him. Flashes of fur out of the corner of his eye made him turn to the left, ducking just in time as a strange creature leapt for him. He ducked in time but as he crouched, something odd came over him. Fur sprouted on his arms and his face suddenly felt as though someone was pulling his jaw and nose, stretching them. He stood up, turning in circles as he tried to make sense of the rushing bodies, catching glimpses of other hairy humanoid creatures.

Hump Day Hook Participants

Hump Day Hook: Persephone

So those who follow me know that Persephone is the story I was working on for NaNo. I've talked about her, but I haven't yet given anyone on here a glimpse of her. So now, I'm here to do such a thing. She's been a WIP for only a short time, but both her, and her true love Adrian, have grabbed my heart. I hope they grab yours, too...

Do not have artist's permission, but this is
the picture that inspired Persephone.

By the time he returned to Adiron, Adrian’s horrible gut feeling had all his nerves wracked to snapping point, but he still couldn’t pinpoint what exactly was bothering him. He was unsettled, and decided not to push it. He’d back a bag with the excuse of going hunting for a few days. It wasn’t out of character for him, so he didn’t think he’d raise suspicion.

He paused in his room for long enough to jot down a note for Persephone, should anything happen. Adrian had already told her to head for the ocean but he wanted to explain some things further, and this feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach told him that he needed to write this letter.

With clothes packed, some food supplies and the dresses his mother had purchased for his bride to be on his behalf, Adrian loaded Gypsy’s saddle bags, tacked her up and mounted. He couldn’t wait until tonight to leave, and was regretting telling Persephone to go home. He’d packed the dresses because he didn’t intend to give her time to pack her own clothes. There was no time to wait, they had to go.

Mounting the grey Hanoverian, he nudged her forward, pausing to look around Adiron one last time before riding in to the forest towards Mythosandria at a canter.

It was only a few minutes later that he heard the shouting. Reining Gypsy in, he listened for the direction of the sound. He didn’t get time to pinpoint it, however, as Persephone came in to view, only a few steps ahead of an angry mob. Kicking Gypsy to a gallop, he quickly closed the distance and he pulled her up behind him. Before they could escape, the crowd began to surround them.

“I think I’m missing something,” he whispered to Persephone.

She was panting, trying to catch her breath but managed to reply. “They think I’m under some sort of spell.”

He tried to turn enough to look at her, and she took the hint to explain further.

“Malechai. He convinced them that the man who interrupted… you know, he convinced them that Daniel was a dark magician, perverting girls with his magick and that I was one of his victims. They”, she nodded towards the villagers pressing around them, “have instructions to bring me back alive, but they won’t be easy about it and will probably try to hurt you to do so.”

Gypsy whickered uneasily, side stepping and turning as she tried to find a way out. Adrian patted her neck, trying unsuccessfully to settle the mare. He scanned the mob, seeing no openings and so decided to try to forge his own path. As he approached a small group of people, a rock was thrown from the back of the crowd. He ducked and it sailed harmlessly over him. The next rock struck Persephone hard on the temple, and she was knocked off the horse. Adrian swung down to her side while Gypsy stood over them protectively. He held Persephone in his arms as blood gushed profusely from the wound on her head. The lucky shot that was surely aimed at him would have devastating results.

As her life blood drained from her, he knew it was time to reveal the truth to her, and if this crowd of people knew it too, then so be it. He didn’t care about rules anymore. Adrian lent down and kissed her near the wound, a long kiss that would give her everything she needed. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to tell you,” he whispered. “And I’m sorry that it’s going to be like this, but I won’t let you die.” As a tear ran down his cheek, he kissed her lips one last time.

For other blogs participating in Hump Day Hook, check out Kerrianne Coombes' blog! And don't forget to leave some love!