Greetings everyone! Here in the U.S. Monday is Labor Day, so we’ll be turning up the music and lighting the torches around the pool tonight for an end of summer neighborhood party. Have a fun filled weekend wherever you are and stay safe!
Today, I’m posting another snippet from Hunter’s Pride, the second story in my Old West paranormal series titled Jinx, about a magically-challenged witch named Maggie Jenks and Hunter, her shape-changing (sometimes man sometimes jaguar) mate .
The moon, a brilliant white light in the sky, illuminates the desert landscape I prowl across. Pad…pad…pad…I slap my paws on the ground, squeezing dirt between my clawed toes as I watch rust-colored dust shimmer against the blue haze of midnight.
“Mate… ” the big cat roars and bumps his shoulder against mine, impatiently demanding my attention. When I ignore him, a mighty head-butt sends me tumbling backward with a force that leaves me sprawling in the dirt.
I heard Hunter’s claim as clearly as if he crouched next to me—and ironically the sound of his chuffing demand brought me back to my senses. Though part of me had no desire to escape, I struggled to find my way out of the dreamscape even as I felt jaguar teeth pierce my shoulder, marking me again.
The sharp bite of pain cleared the remaining confusion from my brain and I jerked awake—still Maggie Jenks, a red-haired witch lying in a tangle of blankets on the floor of my cabin—not a golden-furred feline prowling on four paws in the desert.
Afraid I’d get sucked back into the world of illusion, I reached for the lantern, though the smell of kerosene was noxious to me, and I could see every nook and cranny of the old building without striking a match.
Hunter’s Pride, Jinx 2
© 2014 Gem Sivad LLC. All rights reserved.
Synopsis (ever changing as it evolves): Hunter’s Pride, Jinx 2
His name is Hunter. He travels with men who possess extraordinary abilities they sell to the highest bidder. But when a new railroad line unleashes magic in New Mexico Territory, it brings Hunter not only a new job but also the scent of his rainha.
His twin soul is a healer named Maggie Jenks. The little witch offers to make his cat her familiar but has little interest in claiming his human side.
While Hunter is nursing his hurt pride and contemplating his peculiar mate, his rainha suddenly needs his help. She’s uncovered an evil so great it will take both cat and man to help Maggie keep the devil in hell.
Synopsis: Cat Nip, Jinx 1
They call her Jinx, an unlucky witch with a reputation for casting erratic spells. But there’s more to Maggie Jenks than meets the eye. She’s a vessel of unfulfilled potential, doing her best to sidestep evil as she uses her gifts for good.
Avoiding temptation gets trickier for the little witch who can heal others with her touch. A shap-changing predator has her in his sights, watching her days, protecting her nights, and stalking her dreams.
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Have a great week!
gem
Great snippet. I love how real both realities are — to Maggie and to the reader.
You’re setting up a scene in which her night vision will be important, no?
Nice 8!
I replied through my email thinking it would post here. It didn’t, lol, so yes.(don’t ponder on what I meant when you get the one word message) 😀
These characters are so smart, and yet so oblivious in the best ways! Just a familiar, huh? Right. 😀
Cat Nip just landed in my to read list from this and I love the look of your blog.
Thank you Emily. I mentioned to another snippeteer that Michael Hart of Booknibbles. com does my website and graphics. I love his designs.
Oh my, she’s walking as a cat in her dreams? Very cool. Great snippet, Gem. 🙂
I can’t wait to read this one. I already have the other one. I love the whole continuing saga you have going on here. Great Job.
Juneta at Writer’s Gambit
Great visual here with her dream of being the cat, juxtaposed with the reality of the cabin. Can’t wait for this to come up in my TBR!
“I slap my paws on the ground, squeezing dirt between my clawed toes” I love this description. It instantly pulls me in the POV of a big feline, great way to show without telling !
Really nice visuals!
You had me intrigued and wanting to know more. I have to ask: How do you animate your cover? That’s awesome.
I don’t have a clue how to do it myself, but I love the animation. Michael Hart of Booknibbles.com does my website, banners, and all my graphic designs. He’s a genius and I can’t praise him enough.
He is a genius. It’s fantastic!! 🙂
Love it! I wonder if the dreamscape is more real than she thinks it is. You do a wonderful job with all the details.
Exciting and gorgeous dream scape description. Gem, I’m blown away with your writing style.
Interesting that the night vision aparently carries over to the waking state.
Oh I felt like a stalking feline myself. Meowrrrr!
Great description. I almost felt like a cat myself.
Beautifully written. When she awoke, I felt the jerk of re-entering reality myself – very effective excerpt!
You paint such a vivid picture. Wonderful imagery.
Great snippet! Vivid descriptions–I wanted to go back into the dreamscape and be a cat a little longer. 🙂
Love the feel of this snippet. Beautifully done!
Beautiful. I was really drawn in by this. Great work.
Left me smiling… This premise is fantastic. And I had no idea there would be another book! 🙂 Great writing–as always, Gem. 🙂
Beautifully written. Very vivid.
Wow, scary. I can understand she needs light after a dream like that.