That has such an incredible ring to it. I’ve done it before and I remember the first time, I wondered if that high could ever be recreated. It can – each of my written children has been as different as my biological ones, so it’s a completely new experience each time.

And people around here at least, know I’m writing and look forward to my new releases. My favorite server at the best seafood place in the city visited with me the last time I was in, telling me she had read Homecoming and had gotten her sister Rth Rising. For a newbie published author like me, if just does not get any better.

Wraith’s Heart is a paranormal romance. The victim and the cop, two very different people but connected by a horrible crime. Neither knows what the other has gone through to become the person they now are, but it works for them . . .

Congratulations to Tiffany Rarrick

for winning a copy of Wraith’s Heart – my thanks for the notes from everyone (both on and off blog!)

 

Excerpt

Gail knew she shouldn’t be enjoying this. Hell, she shouldn’t be doing it. It was probably considered coercion or something, but this asshole deserved it. Gail ran her finger over his left collar bone again then clamped her hand around his thick bull neck.

He almost came out of the chair. His eyes were darting around the room and he seemed afraid to move, though he was still shivering.

She had heard some of what Dr. Collins had told Ryan about Genevieve’s previous injuries. This guy knew about some of them at least.

He was scared. He and Ryan were obviously alone in the room, but something was happening to him he couldn’t see. Gail wondered if he’d believed in ghosts before.

****

      Ryan’s temper was under control now. Hell, he was fighting not to laugh. It wasn’t Genevieve tormenting the man. It was Gail. He knew the feel of her and she was helping him. Dan would never have broken for him. But this was fascinating to watch.

“Could I get you some water?” Ryan asked Dan innocently.

“I need to get out of here.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll need your written statement first. I’m sure you understand. We need to get this matter of Mrs. Crump’s untimely demise cleared up. It will help her rest easier.” He couldn’t help it; if he and Gail had planned this together it couldn’t have worked out better.

“What? What did you say?”

“Oh, an old wife’s tale I suppose. My Granny used to say if there was a reason the person died, other than an extended illness, the spirit can’t rest. We see it all the time in police work.” Okay, that was a bald-faced lie. Until Gail, the idea of ghosts hadn’t occurred to him since Saturday afternoon horror movies on TV.

“Are you saying Genevieve’s ghost is here?”

“I’m not saying anything. And of course, she didn’t pass away here. Now at her home it might be different.” He shrugged. “You really need to get to work on the statement. There are others out there waiting.”

Gail must not be touching him now because he’d stopped shaking. Dan picked up the pen and started to write, then laid it down again. He jerked and his hand went back to his neck. Ryan could see white all around his eyes.

“Leroy wasn’t with us. I don’t know where he was.”

Ryan was caught off guard by the quick confession. This guy must be majorly superstitious.

“What are you saying?”

“Look, I don’t want no trouble from no one. Leroy’s got hisself a temper. If Gen pissed him off, anything could have happened.”

“Was there a problem about his car?”

“Yeah.” Dan seemed to wilt in front of him, but at least he wasn’t shivering. “Leroy was burnin’ mad about that. I don’t think he meant to kill her, but . . . ”

“You weren’t at the house at the time of her accident?”

“No, no way. None of us was. So I can’t say the man had anything to do with it.”

“But you can’t say he was with you.”

Dan shook his head.

“Then Leroy lied to us,” Ryan said softly.

“He’ll never admit it. There wasn’t no witnesses. Gen, I’m sorry.” Dan looked around the room. “I knowed he was mean to you, but . . . Shit.”

Ryan watched the man, fascinated. He obviously believed in ghosts. Maybe this case wouldn’t take so long after all.