YOUR WEEKEND READ: IN THE TREE'S SHADOW BY D.L. FINN

 

Today the lovely, talented and my good friend, D.L. Finn is here to tell us about her latest release: In The Trees Shadows. It's a great read. My review will be posted on IWSG Wednesday. 

Thank you, Sandra, for having me on your amazing blog today to share the good news of my latest release, a short story collection, In the Tree’s Shadow.

“In the Moment” is one of those stories that came to me in the middle of the night. It’s when some of those worries from all the negative news creep in and present a scenario. What if we go too far and take it to the next level? When do we cross from using words into a solution where death is acceptable?

This is an avenue I explored with Nora. She is looking forward to an early night, maybe reading a book while her husband is away fishing. But when people spot strange lights in the sky, an earthquake hits, and the power goes out, Nora is concerned but out of the information loop. Are her family and husband okay?

I’ve felt like Nora when we lose power and phones during a storm. Tucked safely into the woods and isolated, we wouldn’t have a clue if something major happened. These thoughts keep my mind occupied in the darkness and become a reality for Nora.

 

BLURB:

A collection of short stories where dreams and nightmares coexist.

Nestled inside these pages, you’ll meet a couple in their golden years who take a trip with an unexpected detour, a boy desperate to give his brother the Christmas gift he asked for, a girl with a small glass dragon who is at the mercy of her cruel uncles, and a young mother who has a recurring dream about murder. You’ll be introduced to worlds where people get second chances and monsters might be allowed their desires, while angels and dragons try to help. Happy endings occur, but perspective can blur the line between good and evil in these twenty-seven tales. Since the stories vary between 99 and 12,000 words, whether you have only five minutes or an entire evening to settle into reading, there is something that will suit your time and taste.

 

EXCERPT:

It was like every other evening when I slid into bed after my shower. The night was silent as I settled onto the cool, blue-flowered sheets. A dull thump of a headache pulsed behind my eyes as I checked the cell phone for messages, but I didn’t find any. People were abuzz about strange lights in the sky on a local social media website. Giant glowing orbs were moving together in an unusually straight line. The official explanation was that it was a new group of satellites, but they didn’t say who launched them. Some people online didn’t buy that, and others had their theories. Ideas went from alien attack to secret government experiment. None of it sounded plausible, and I was too tired to pull myself out of bed to look.

My bed jolted like my husband, Sam, had bumped into the bed, but he wasn’t home and I hadn’t moved. This was when the talk changed from strange lights to earthquakes.

A text from my daughter, Tammy, popped up. I got woken up by someone pounding on my front door. They were trying to get in. I can’t get a response to my 9-1-1 call.

I quickly responded. I don’t think anyone is trying to break in, but don’t open the door to be safe. There has been a cluster of earthquakes, and I bet everyone calls it in.

I sent her a screenshot from the app that monitors them while I quickly responded to three texts from friends asking if I was okay after the quakes and strange lights.

I’m fine. Like being back in the Bay Area! Ha!

Rarely did I feel the Earth move in my house in the mountains. I was no longer tired. With a sigh, I tugged on my gray bathrobe as my orange tabby, Leo, popped from under the bed.

AMAZON PURCHASE LINK

 

FUN FINN FACTS:

1.      I believe fairies live in our forest. I wouldn’t be surprised if Bigfoot was out there with them.

2.      Last time I rode a horse was on our 36^th wedding anniversary in Fort Bragg, CA, on the beach. The horse took off across the sandy shore, and although I knew how to handle it and was enjoying myself, our guide was not amused. 😊

 

BIO:

D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, a unique autobiography, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.

 

D.L. Finn Links:

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D.L. Finn blog

Amazon Page

New Release: Mateo's Blood Brother

 

 

Behind the amicable façade is a man who’s tough and determined. He’s Mateo’s Blood Brother.

 

Blurb:

 

They were friends, close as brothers. Then they weren’t.

Mateo and Jesse are cautiously working their way back to friendship when Jesse discovers the unthinkable. Delilah, the sultry shifter who’d had affairs with both men, is still alive. The tumble she took over a mountain ridge—a fall that nearly killed Mateo—should have finished her.

Now, there’s no choice but for the two men to work together to take down a she-devil straight from hell.  As the stakes escalate and the hunt becomes more intense, another wolf appears on the scene. Always where Jesse’s at. Always when he’s in trouble.  Jesse is divided between ending Delilah, a new love interest, discovering the identity of a certain brown wolf and staying alive.

 Excerpt:

A shadow fell across the desk. Unexpected. Eerie in the predawn gloom.

Nerves thrumming, Sheriff Mateo Grey’s head shot up and he reached for his gun.

A lanky man in jeans and a tan uniform-shirt, with coal-black hair pulled back in a tail, leaned against the doorframe of Mateo’s office. A shield attached to his brown leather belt. The scent of fresh air and earthy musk followed him in. He moseyed over and dropped boneless into the hard, wooden chair, in front of the desk.

“What the hell, Jesse?  You sneak around like a—”

“Indian?” 

“Cat was what I was about to say. Don’t try to snag me with political incorrectness.” Mateo shook himself, leaned back in his worn office chair and drilled the Chief of Police of the Blackfeet Nation with a hard stare. 

Jesse snorted and handed him a paper cup, with Belle’s Beans printed on the side, then took a sip of his own. Not a drop had spilled when he collapsed into the chair, reminding Mateo of the man’s innate feline grace.

“Thanks.” Fragrant steam rose from the opening, the cup warm against Mateo’s hand. His tight jaws relaxed. Belle served the best coffee in the county.

He took a long swallow. The caffeinated liquid rolled down his throat, hit his belly and kick-started him into hyperdrive.

“Okay, Jesse, hit me.”

Tight lips set in a lean face twitched. “I’ve been wanting to for months.”

“Years more like.” Mateo flashed a grin.

Growing up, the men had been close as brothers. Best friends. Blood brothers. Then they weren’t. His fault.

Cautious and slow, they were working their way back to friendship.

Jesse grinned back, nodding in acknowledgement.

“Surprised to see you here. What can I do for you?” He and Jesse had a contentious relationship and even though they were moiling their way toward a more even footing, they weren’t there yet.

“What makes you think I want anything?”

“You know the old saying, beware law enforcement officers bearing gifts.”

“At least I didn’t bring donuts.”

Mateo gave a crack of laughter and, just like that, the lingering tension of a moment before broke.

“Where is everyone?” Jesse peered through the open doorway, a long gash on the worn, stained frame, left by a previous, unhappy visitor.

“It’s not seven yet. Nobody here but me and the dispatcher. But they’ll be streaming in any minute.” He pointed at the large-faced, black-rimmed, round clock that adorned the plain white walls of his office.

“How’s Blair?”

The question sidetracked Mateo as no doubt it was meant to, as a vision of his fiancée with tousled hair and covers pulled up to her nose rose in his mind, along with another body part. Having his fiancée as his chief deputy was both a blessing and a curse.  Stubborn as a mule, she didn’t take kindly to being told what to do. But offsetting that, his chief deputy—his woman—was brave, smart and able to handle herself.  Not to mention sexy as hell.

He squirmed in his chair and got himself back on track.

“She’s fine. Now, what is it you’re not telling me? It’s not like you to beat around the bush.”

Silence built. Tension swelled.

Mateo thrummed his fingers on the desk, waiting. The drumming echoed in the quiet.

Jesse stared over Mateo’s left shoulder as if waiting for divine intervention. None was forthcoming. Finally, he straightened his shoulders and turned his gaze to Mateo. “She’s alive.”

 

Jesse and Blair both like to catch the Full Moon Band, that plays hard rock with a native twist, on Wednesday nights at the Blue Coyote. 

 

Jesse loves Belle’s Beans coffee and bear claws.

 

Popular with the ladies, he managed to avoid any serious entanglements until Layla/Delilah.

 

Available at Amazon 

 

And a funky little giveaway. I'll be drawing the name of a commenter for an I💙Books Bead Bracelet.

 

 And other important birthdays:

AND...

The lovely and talented Jacqui Murray author of Prehistoric Fiction is featuring me today (4/22). Thanks, Jaqui!

AND...The amazing and creative, D.L. Finn who writes suspense, Middle-Grade and poetry, is featuring me Saturday, 4/23. Thanks, Denise! 

AND...The teller and maker of myths, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, is featuring me Sunday 4/24.Thanks, Ronel.

AND...The multi-talented Diane Wolfe is featuring me Monday 4/25. Thanks, Diane.

Now Available

Blurb: 

Gutsy, kick-ass Suzanne James has no intention of complicating her life by falling in love…especially with a vampire. But it’s hard to stay objective when a drop-dead gorgeous male rescues her from three assailants in a dark alley. All but unconscious, she could swear her hero has glowing red eyes and two sharp, pointed teeth.

Adrian Caine has spent the past hundred years, in vampire parlance, a vegetarian. When he rescues a beautiful blonde in a dark alley, it takes all of his formidable control not to backslide. Attraction turns to desire. Even though it’s not in Suzanne’s best interest, he can’t stay away.

Excerpt:

“Three men jumped me and I kicked their asses.”

Kess gave me a pained look. “That’s why you’re black and blue and in a hospital bed instead of upstairs doing your job?”

“Details, details.” I made a dismissive motion with my hand.

“You were out walking late at night again by yourself, weren’t you? How many times have I told you to take a taxi when you work late? You take a few kickboxing classes and think you can take on the world.” He tapped a toe encased in spit-shine, black leather. His face registered extreme disapproval.

“It’s rude to say ‘I told you so’, Kess.” I sat straighter and tried for injured dignity. 

“A lot of good it does. You don’t listen.”

“In this case you were right.” I ran the fingers of my good hand through my tangled hair. I must look a mess.

“I’m always right.” 

“And modest too.”

He grinned. “Are you going to tell me what happened?” He took another gulp of his rapidly cooling coffee.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to do but you keep interrupting me.”

“Don’t whine.  It’s unbecoming.  Just tell me what happened.  I heard a Good Samaritan brought you in then disappeared.” 

“It was pretty odd, Kess.”

“I’m not sure ‘odd’ is the word I’d use for getting beaten up and a shoulder dislocated.” His voice dry, his glance shifted to my shoulder. He frowned.

I sighed. Kess just wasn’t going to let this go.

“Not that part. My…err, Good Samaritan.” I fidgeted on the bed and plucked at the sheet. Somehow the term “Good Samaritan” just didn’t fit. Goose bumps roughened my skin and my heart galloped as I remembered fangs and glowing red eyes. “Kess?”

“Yes?”

“Do you believe in vampires?”

“If you don’t want to talk about it you could have just said so.” He lifted his chin and started to rise.

I looked at the door. No one was in the hall. I hunched forward and whispered, still clutching the sheet. “Kess, he had fangs and his eyes glowed.”

He frowned and straightened. “They told me you didn’t have a concussion or any kind of damage to your head. Apparently, they were wrong. I’ll have Dr. Brown run an MRI. I should have made them do it last night.”

“There’s nothing wrong with my head,” I yelled. 

“Suz, you think you were rescued by a vampire.”


Available at Amazon.


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