Woo-Hoo!
With the release of Scorch Mark fast approaching (November 14), I’ve decided to spread some new release love: I’m offering Blood Mark, book 1 in the Dark Dreams series, for just 99ȼ. The sale date is this Friday, November 10th. If you’ve already got your copy, consider gifting Blood Mark to a friend.
Scorch Mark Sneak Peek
And speaking of the new release, Scorch Mark, a sneak peek is available as a pdf download. Here’s a snippet to whet your appetite…
Now that Jane Walker knew where her mother had been laid to rest, she felt drawn there. It wasn’t out of respect or duty—she’d never met her mother in the flesh—it was simply the only thing she could do as the daughter she was never allowed to be. The visceral loathing she felt for Rick Kristan, the man who’d taken her mother away from her, grew deeper as the day of his trial approached.
Heat rippled off the asphalt parking lot. It had already been a long, hot ride, and they had two hours yet to go. Jane dismounted her Honda Rebel, glad for the opportunity to stretch her legs. Ethan Bryce pulled in beside her and killed the ignition of his Fat Boy. Across a swath of summer-scorched lawn, Windermere Lake sparkled like a cool oasis. This was their last stop before the final leg to the cemetery on the outskirts of Canmore, Alberta.
She removed her helmet, shook out her dark, cropped hair, and brushed the road dust from her jeans. Ahead, just before the path to Kinsmen Beach, a tailgate party had taken root, spilling onto the lawn behind a row of pickup trucks. The tailgaters, mostly young men flaunting their abs and red Solo cups, had confiscated a collection of the park’s picnic tables. Music pounded out of speakers, and the scent of barbecue made Jane’s mouth water.
After the helmets were locked, Ethan pulled their towel rolls from one of the saddlebags. He stretched his neck and raked his fingers through his comically flattened hair. “Ready?”
Jane let a saucy smile cross her lips.
Jane let a saucy smile cross her lips. She’d happily watch Ethan Bryce’s backside all day long. “Lead the way.”
Ethan came to stand toe-to-toe with her, his light brown eyes sparkling with mischief. He leaned down and kissed her. “I love it when your mind’s in the bedroom.”
He started across the parking lot and Jane held back a moment, admiring his swagger and the broad shoulders under his leather jacket. She quickly caught up and matched his stride, looking ahead to the lake, anticipating the splash of relief from the cool water.
Her focus was on the lake, so she wasn’t paying attention to the tailgaters as she and Ethan passed. But when Ethan took her hand—an unusual gesture for him—she glanced at him, and then at the men who had stopped their partying. One by one, they nudged each other and, in turn, stared at her. Startled, Jane looked away.
“You know them?” Ethan asked.
“No.” Goosebumps skated across her arms. Jane surreptitiously checked her boots and jacket, smoothed her hair, searching for something—anything—to explain their attention. Anything other than the one thing the goosebumps foretold.
What I’m reading
I’m surprised by how completely engrossed I am with Hugh Howey’s Silo trilogy. It’s a post-apocalyptic story that is being made into a movie or TV series. Dystopian isn’t my normal reading fare, but Silo is right up there with Dune in my mind. I’m on Dust, the third of the three-book series (Wool, Shift, and Dust). Very engaging if you enjoy the genre, but I imagine depressing if it isn’t your cuppa.
Until next time . . .
XO
Jo-Anne
Blood Mark is Turning One!
Ghost Mark Launches This Coming Tuesday!
I’ll be in Campbell River haunting Coho Books with W.L. Hawkin this Friday, October 28. We’ll be reading from our books and hanging out by the caldron. Come on by for some fun.