Latest Cover Release Date of Feb 18

Learning the ropes

This writing thing has been an experience. Trying to attain perfection is something I just won't be able to do. However, I really enjoy the learning process. It makes me happy and keeps my mind in the here and now. It is the best form of therapy I have ever had. Thanks to both the publishers that have shown they have faith in me and my ability.

November Flash Fiction -Nowhere to Hide

Nowhere to Hide

By Deveena Wood

It was the past. Margret had repeated this mantra in her head for the last three days. There was no way she was seeing Mark. He was dead, buried, gone. She could come up with any number of adjectives to describe how he wasn’t in her life anymore. She had dealt with the grief and loss the best she could. Now she was seeing him on every corner. He was popping up in locations he had no business being in.

Mark’s disease was aggressive and fast. It took his life less than five days after they found the first tumor. She had just enough time to take his last name and consummate their marriage before he was stripped out of her life.  She held her daughter tighter to her as she walked toward their house. Mabel was the spitting image of Mark. It was a shame he would never meet her. Margret rubbed Mabel’s bald head as the baby slept. The baby Bjorn her mother gave her was the perfect carrier. It kept her close to Margret’s heart. It was baby Mabel’s favorite place.

Margret kept her blue eyes focused on the concrete beneath her feet. The house was only five steps away. She knew that because the cracks in front of the house were very unique. She had never seen any like it. Thinking about it now, she believed Mark put them there. Logic said it wasn’t possible, but logic also said what was dead and buried couldn’t come back.

“Margret?” His voice startled her. When she looked up her breath escaped her in a hitch.

“MM..a.a.r..r..k,” she stuttered.

He stood there staring at her and the bundle tied to her body. His brown hair was actually waving in the wind. He looked real enough. His jeans and blue t-shirt were typical Mark. She wanted to smile, but fear gripped her hard. She swiped her curly brown hair away from her eyes to get a better look. It had to be a trick.

“Who’s this?” he said pointing to the baby.

“You’re daughter,” she replied.

“My daughter?” he questioned.

“She was born nine months to the day you died,” she revealed.

“I see.”

The two of them stood there staring at each other for what seemed like hours. It wasn’t until Mabel was uncomfortable with her wet diaper that either one of them moved. Margret patted her behind and soothed her cries with gentle whispers and kisses.

“Invite me in,” he said.

“Why?”

“I want to meet my child,” he said taking a step closer to her.

“What are you?” she asked. She had taken a step back from him without even thinking about it. She just knew there was something unnatural going on here and there was no way she was exposing her baby to it.

“I’m your husband,” he said still trying to close the distance between them.

“But you died,” she complained.

“Semantics. I’m still me,” he said reaching out his hand to her. She closed her eyes not knowing what this was going to do her. When his hand touched her cheek it was warm. She was expecting it to be like death, cold. His body had been cold and clammy when he died.

“What is happening?” she asked pushing her cheek into his hand. He put his arm around her and pulled her into his chest. She felt at home there. It was her place. She had missed it these last ten months.

“I was given a second chance,” he whispered in her ear. His hand was stroking her thick curly hair as she buried her nose in his throat. She inhaled deeply. It was still him.

“How?” She wasn’t sure she really wanted to know the answer to that. His answer could change her reaction to him.

“Does it matter? Now can we go inside?” He had drastically changed the subject. Alarm bells started to shoot off in her head.

She stepped away from him and put her hand over Mabel. The baby had been quiet until now. The more distance Margret created the louder Mabel started to cry. Margret decided to test her theory. She stopped and started moving back toward Mark. Mabel quieted the closer she got.

“Even the baby wants me to be near,” he said with a smile.

“If you want to be near her, answer me,” she demanded.

“Fine, but not here. We needed to go inside, now!” His voice was now more insistent then before. Just then she heard what sounded like a flock of birds. Her panic started to rise. He had his hand out to her. He was begging her with his eyes.

“Fine, come in,” she said. He grabbed her hand and pulled her so quickly into the house it seemed like a blur. He slammed the door shut and bolted the lock. The humming outside had gotten even louder. It was as if the house was surrounded. She knew this wasn’t right.

“What are you?” she asked out of breath.

“It’s hard to explain.”

“Try,” she demanded.

“Fine.” He moved away from the door and closed the curtains. He sat down on the couch and sighed. She moved closer and sat down on the coffee table in front of him.

“Tell me,” she pleaded.

“Can’t you just be thankful that I’m back?”

“I am. I just need to know what you are. It’s not just me anymore. We have a daughter to look after now,” she said pulling the baby out of straps.

“I’m called a nephalim,” he replied.

“Half angel?” she questioned.

“Yes.”

“So does that mean our daughter is too?”

“It does.”

“Then what is outside?” She had noticed his effort to shield her from what was going on, but she wasn’t as naïve as he thought.

“They want her,” he said calmly.

“They can’t have her,” she shouted.

“That’s why I’m here. I won’t let them take her, ever!”

HDP FLash Fiction

A Little Out of the Swing

By Deveena Wood

The old farmhouse Georgia called home wasn’t much to look at. It was run down and the clap boards were either falling off or completely discolored. She didn’t buy it for its beauty. The thing that drove her to get a mortgage for the first time in her life was the porch swing. Her friends thought she was nuts. Why would a thirty year old woman want this old farmhouse in the middle of nowhere? She knew why but would never tell any of them.

She sat on the swing in one of her light weight summer dresses. One of her bare feet was tucked up under her as the other pushed the swing. She brought a glass of tea up to her cherry red lips. The wind was moving just enough to blow her raven hair off of her shoulders. The sparkle in her violet eyes was there for a reason. The sun had gone down only a few minutes ago. She waited patiently for it and now she waited patiently for him.  Her mouth parted as the sound of wings caught in her ear. It was him. Finally.

She put her feet flat on the floor. She knew he didn’t like her seeing him this way. His bat form never bothered her, but it was something he didn’t like to share. She felt the rush of his transformation then his hands on her shoulders. They were cold and hard, but it didn’t bother her. The connection of their skin made her get wet.

“You look lovely, Georgia.” His voice was smooth like silk. She leaned over and kissed the top of his hand on her shoulder.

“Will you sit with me?” she asked quietly.

He didn’t answer her with words. He shifted his weight smoothly then joined her on the porch swing. She kept her eyes down not looking into his face. She noticed his soft black pants and white silk shirt. It was open at the collar. He sat beside her and grabbed her hand. He brought it up to his mouth and kissed it gently. His fangs barely grazed her skin. The sensation they caused seemed to shoot right to her hot core. She already wanted him. Feeling them made her nearly crazed for his touch.

They sat their silently swinging for a few minutes. She wasn’t sure what to offer him. Her proper up bringing drove her to offer him something, but what did he like?

“Would you care for some tea?” she finally questioned.

“No, thank you.”

Back to silence. She decided to venture a look at his face. Sure she had seen it many times in her dreams, but he was sitting beside her now. She turned slowly catching the strong chin in her eye first. Then moving her eyes up she saw his fierce blue ones and then his dark brown hair. He was handsome. Very.  He must have felt her looking. His eyes were locked onto hers seconds later.   She struggled to control herself. She wanted to throw herself on his lap and kiss him passionately. You couldn’t do that with him. He came to her so often in her dreams she just knew she had to wait for him to make the first move.

“I want you too,” he finally said.

“My room is up stairs.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say. His blatant admission stunned her to her core.

He put his arm around her and then the world started to shift. When the world stopped spinning she realized they were in her bedroom. Though it didn’t look the same. The walls weren’t grungy and old. There were beautiful paintings and the furniture was all fancy. It looked like something straight out of Versailles. Then she looked down. Her summer dress was gone. It was replaced by a purple slightly sheer nighty. She felt a little embarrassed and covered herself.

“Have you not already given yourself to me?” he asked.

“In my dreams. This is real.” She shivered as she spoke. He stood from the bed and then candles suddenly ignited in the room.

“If you wish to change your mind I will understand.” His countenance was sad. She hadn’t meant to hurt him. This was just way more than she had bargained for.

“I still want to be with you,” she said removing her hands from her body so he could see her. His face lit up at the sight.

“Lay back,” he commanded.

“Wait. I don’t even know your name,” she said before she followed his instruction. He waved his hand over her and her body had to obey. She lay back on the bed as he climbed up between her legs. His scent was captured in her nose. It made her desire for him bloom even more.

When he reached her throat he whispered in her ear, “My name is Christian.” Then she felt his fangs bury deep in her neck. The pain was exquisite. She couldn’t help but latch on to him as he pulled her blood into his mouth. She felt his stiff erection against the inside of her thigh. She wanted it inside her. He pulled away from her neck then looked into her eyes.

“Georgia, you can still change your mind. It isn’t too late.” His face was sad and longing. She wanted this, wanted to be a part of his world. She pulled him down to her. He knew what she wanted and scored a line on his neck. His blood was sweet and seemed to fill a need deep inside of her. She drank greedily until she felt him invade her body. Their bonding now complete she would never again look at the world through human eyes. Needing to feel him she wrapped her legs around him tightly encouraging him to devour her body. When he let go inside of her she cried out.

“Yes Christian, I will be yours forever!”http://www.hornydevilpublishing.com/Flash.Fiction

Blood Cast Teaser

“Feel what?”

“For a woman who has carried six children, you really don’t know your own body.” He laughed loudly in my ear. It took me a second to process what was just said to me.

“Do you really think that is what they meant?” I asked when my brain finally wrapped around the information.

“What else would explain the changes in your body?”

“Menopause, weight retention, or hormone issues?”

“Don’t be silly. You know your body better than anyone. Can you honestly say there is nothing going on?” He was still looking at me with such love in the mirror. My heart was singing his name while my head was screaming. I still had so many questions and zero answers. I really didn’t even know what it was I was carrying inside me.

“I suppose you could be right, but what if I’m just messed up?”

“Do you think the sisters would come visit you if that were the case?”

“No.”

“You can consult the book. She will have an answer for you.” His suggestion was one that had escaped me all together. I hadn’t even entertained looking. I haven’t needed her wisdom in a few years. I’m sure she will be angry with me, but it’s a chance that needs to be taken. Grabbing his hand, we walked together toward the study. My night gown was long and thick, so embarrassment wouldn’t be a problem. Normally I slept naked. Conveniently the cold required me to cover up last night.

I walk over to her glass case and wave my hand over the top. The lock drops off and she shifts to white. Her shimmer is slow to appear. This reminds me of her detest at being kept locked away so long. I stroke her cover and speak to her lovingingly.

“Leabhar, I have missed you.”  She takes a moment then starts to shimmer. I take a seat and put her in my lap. Putting my hands over her, I wait for the pages to go. The skim quickly. When they stop the words are slow to appear on the page. I struggle to read them.

The winds that blow from the east have sent to you a……..

Falling Into Love HDP Flash fiction

Falling into Love

“You know this is my favorite time of year.” Angelica was sitting on the deck of the local restaurant absorbing the beautiful trees with her friend Melanie.

“It is lovely here,” Melanie replied while sipping her pumpkin flavored coffee. Both women were still unattached and nearing thirty two. They had been friends since they first attended Unity College. Angelica was born in Maine, and Melanie was from the Midwest. It seemed an unusual pairing.  Angelica was tall, blonde, and comfortable in her own skin. Melanie was short, round, brunette, and very self-conscious.

“I can see you’re thinking again,” Angelica said smiling at her friend.

“I’m just lonely.”  Melanie stared at her coffee. 

“What about Gary?”

“The guy with the motorcycle?” Melanie quizzically asked.

“Yeah.”

“I’m not sure if riding is something I want to do.” Melanie didn’t look at her friend once. Her self-esteem was at rock bottom. 

“I tell you what, you go with Gary and I will go with Steve. We can both pop our motorcycle cherries together.” Angelica laughed hysterically at her own joke. It took Melanie a minute to register, then she joined in .

“Okay,” Melanie answered after laughing.

Angelica took her phone out of her purse and dialed. “Hey.  I was wondering if you and Gary would like to take Melanie and I for a ride. It’s such a beautiful fall day.”  There was a moment of silence and a lot of nodding by Angelica.   She gave Melanie a thumbs up and then said, “Good. We will see you here in twenty. Bye.”

“I can’t believe you did that,” Melanie replied in a panic.

“You don’t know until you try.” Angelica smiled broadly at her boldness. She never had an issue getting a man. There was no way she could know the myriad of thoughts running through her friend’s mind. Sure the worry was on her face, but the true depth of her nerves was bubbling just below. Melanie liked Angelica but she had kept one secret from her for all these years. Melanie had never been with a man.

“You look like a ghost, Mel.”

“I’m just a little nervous about the bike.” Melanie was lying and Angelica knew it. She wouldn’t push her though. It never turned out well when she did try to dig the truth out of her friend. Melanie was really good at building walls and staying buried behind them.

“It will be fine. It’s too late to run now,” Angelica said pointing to the two motorcycles pulling into the parking lot. Steve rode a Valkyrie and Gary rode a Harley.  Both bikes were safe enough, but it didn’t slow the beating of Melanie’s heart.  Gary took off his helmet first. His six foot four frame looked magnificent in the leathers he wore. He kept his brown hair short. It perfectly complimented his green eyes. Melanie loved green eyes even though hers were brown. 

Steve took  off his helmet next. His blonde hair was almost as brilliant as Angelica’s. Not quite as tall as Gary, he more than made up for it with the largest arms the girls had ever seen. His blue eyes were sparkling in the autumn sun. They  were the first thing that drew Angelica in. Her hazel eyes complimented his perfectly.

“Good afternoon, ladies.” Gary spoke smoothly, his voice like silk.

“Hi.” Melanie couldn’t put together more than that one word. Angelica got right up and threw her arms around Steve. She wasn’t shy about showing her true feelings. He hugged her and then kissed her softly. Melanie’s cheeks turned red witnessing their affection.

“So where would you like to head?” Gary said as he took the seat next to Melanie.

“I want to go toward Jackman,” Angelica chimed in. Gary didn’t look at her. He kept his eyes on Melanie. She felt the weight of his stare and found her coffee with her own eyes once again. 

“I was asking, Melanie.”

“Jackman’s fine,” she replied so quietly it was almost missed.

“Great. Let’s go,” Steve said grabbing Angelica’s hand and pulling her toward his bike.  Gary stood up and put his hand out for Melanie. She smiled shyly and then took it. He led her to his bike and grabbed a helmet out of one of the saddle bags.

“How do you know what size I wear?” she asked.

“I guessed.”  He smiled and handed it to her. She looked at it for a moment then put it on. They all mounted the bikes and took off for the north.

The entire ride there was full of massive turns and lots of hills. Melanie kept her arms tight around Gary for the entire ride. She even had her eyes closed quite a few times. She saw Angelica taking her hands off of Steve several times looking like a natural on the back of his bike.

“You need to look around,” Gary yelled to Melanie. 

“Okay.” She opened her eyes. The colors that flooded her vision were amazing. The trees were at their peak. The golds, yellows, oranges, and reds were far more vibrant here than in Gardiner. She couldn’t believe the difference just eighty seven miles made. She smiled and held on to Gary tighter. She felt his hand rub against hers. The shock wave going through her body made her desire him more than anyone she had ever been out with. She closed her eyes again and melted into his back. The smell of his cologne filled her nose and made her desire spike even higher.

Ten minutes down the road and they were in the small town of Jackman, Maine. Melanie noticed a few restaurants and bars before they came upon Bishops. One side of the road held a store by that name the other had a hotel. She was a little stunned when they pulled into the hotel.  Gary parked next to Steve and went with him to the office.  Melanie exchanged a scared look with Angelica.

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A Vampire's Breath Excerpt Book 2 of the Vampire touch series

“Hello, Ariah. I’m Rebecca,” I say sticking my hand out for her to shake.

“You don’t want to shake my hand,” she says with a coy smile.

“I don’t?” I ask. She doesn’t answer with words. She closes the distance between us and puts her hands on my face. She smiles then puts her mouth to mine. I feel her tongue trying to enter my mouth. I can’t resist. Our tongues start to dance and mingle. My hands grab her waist then slide down to her ass. I squeeze and she gasps.

She backs up and looks at me.

“Don’t play the game if you aren’t willing to go all the way,” I say staring into her emeralds.

“I do want to play, but you are my first.” Her cheeks blush and she stares at the ground.

“Don’t worry, I’m gentle.” I take her hand and softly stroke her fingers.

“Where?” she asks.

“Your room?”

“I will show you,” she says as she walks passed me. She goes to the hallway and turns right. Two doors away from the game room she opens her door. I should have known she would pick the floral room. It is very girly, but I love it. It’s the perfect place for our first time. My mouth is watering in anticipation.

She walks in and starts to take off her purple blouse. I put my hand on hers and stop her. “We can go slow. I don’t want to scare you.”

“I’m not scared, just nervous. I don’t want to disappoint you,” she replies.

“You won’t,” I say stroking her face gently. Then I put my mouth on hers and softly kiss her. My hand grips her hair as I deepen the kiss. My tongue begs for entrance. After a moment she relents. Then we are lost in it. I move my left hand down to her waist and start to unbutton her pants.