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AN EXCERPT FROM CHRISTMAS EVE…VIL
By: Angelica Hart and Zi

We’d like to share with you an excerpt (non-edited) from our Christmas 2012 release CHRISTMAS EVE…VIL.

About the story:

Resisting the fervent advances of Luke Calico while snowbound isn’t Anya’s only problem, she must also hide from the malicious preacher wishing to harness her power while withstanding the demonic spirit trying to lure her soul.

Excerpt:

With reluctance, he turned from the vivid tapestry and went after his pup Smokey. As he sprinted along the forest trail, nature provided a banquet of scents and sounds. Firs and pines rustled about him, seemingly corresponding with the wind and rendering a crisp aroma to the falling snow. He wasn’t upset by Smokey's actions just worried he’d stray too far and get caught in the storm that promised to be brutal and unrelenting. Quickening his step, Luke shouted the dog’s name, adding bribes, "Cookies!" A word that never failed to bring him running. "Come get Fluffy!" His favorite toy. "Let's play!" Romping about that they did nearly every evening.

A familiar bark pierced the belligerent storm. As Luke severed the distance between them, he could hear Smokey’s whimpers and experienced a sudden fear that the dog might be hurt. Fear departed as the dog bounced out of the white wind like ebony smoke. He jumped on Luke’s legs, scratching and whining, then running a few feet ahead and coming back to jump up again, adding ferocious barks, demanding Luke’s absolute attention.

Luke sensed this wasn’t just a game, that something was wrong. “Okay, boy, I understand. I’m coming.”

Another few steps and Luke spotted a figure propped against a tree. What appeared to be paw prints decorated a feminine light-colored parka.

“Oh, buddy, what did you do?” he bemoaned.

Leaning toward her, worried, he took in her scarf and mittens, thinking them inappropriate. Insulated gloves would have been better, and a hat rather than just a headband would have kept body heat from escaping. A further concern manifested believing she wasn’t a local. She probably didn’t know that the weather could change abruptly and drastically this time of year.

Where in blazes did she come from? Could Sullivan have company? Luke’s closest neighbor lived a few miles away and as far as he knew, Reverend Bradford Sullivan was as much of a hermit as Luke, probably more so. A self-proclaimed, somewhat eccentric online evangelist, he had a regular flock visit his chat room and website for weekly sermons. Bradford used to be an addict and felt living outside society, far from easy buys and sordid companions was the only way to ensure he stayed clean. Somewhere along the line he equated being drug-free to a life of mostly isolation. If his attitude changed, he had good taste, Luke sniggered beneath his breath.

All this blitzed through Luke's head as he knelt beside the still figure and checked for a pulse. Though strong, she was as pale as the snow that now nearly obscured her headband. Luke swallowed hard stifling concern as he ran fingers over the back of her head. He didn’t feel any bumps, discerned that no evident cuts, and hoped the apparent impact with the tree only knocked her out, totally unaware that Smokey caused the ordeal.


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Angelica Hart and Zi
KILLER DOLLS ~ SNAKE DANCE ~ CHASING YESTERDAY ~
CHRISTMAS EVE...VIL coming soon
www.champagnebooks.com

Vixen Bright and Zachary Zane
STEEL EMBRACE http://www.carnalpassions.com/


THE FABLE OF SIN-SIN CINDERELLA Series
angelicahartandzi.com

TheWritersVineyard.com (monthly piece)
www.champagnebooks.blogspot.com(monthly piece)
Dawn's Reading Nook (Thursday's piece)
lovesbooksandmore.blogspot.com/