BEYOND THE FIRE--NEW COVER AND GIVEAWAY! by Cheryl Pierson

When Kendi Morgan witnesses an attempted murder near her home one stormy November night, she makes the only choice her heart will allow: she has to help the victim. But bringing the handsome stranger into her home traps her in the middle of a deadly drug war.

Wounded DEA agent Jackson Taylor is a man with nothing to lose and nothing to fear—until he falls for the beautiful woman who risks everything to save his life.

With his cover blown, Jackson knows he’s all that stands between Kendi and Benito Sanchez, a powerful drug cartel lord. Sanchez swears his vengeance, vowing to see Jackson and Kendi both dead.

Love comes fast when there may be only hours left…can it survive? Or will Jackson sacrifice his partner’s life—along with his own—in exchange for Kendi’s safety? Does a future exist for them BEYOND THE FIRE…
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I'm relaunching my Fire Star Press story, BEYOND THE FIRE, with a brand new cover, and I want to give away a digital copy of this wonderful story to celebrate!

This is a story that was pretty "gritty" to write and make it realistic, but I think you'll be surprised with some of the twists and turns it takes! In BEYOND THE FIRE, Kendi Morgan has been horribly hurt by her ex-husband, but she never lets go of her dreams. She's my kind of girl! She's been knocked down, but she gets up and keeps on moving forward in life. When a wounded DEA agent, Jackson Taylor, shows up on her property, she's not sure if he's a "good guy" or not, but she takes a chance--a big one!

What's the biggest chance you've ever taken in your life? Be sure to comment to be entered for the drawing for a digital copy of BEYOND THE FIRE!

Amazon links for BEYOND THE FIRE:
https://amzn.to/2WTFGSU -- KINDLE
https://amzn.to/2uS6GGo -- PAPERBACK

Book Review: A Heart for a Heart by Cheryl Pierson

Valentine's Day is coming up, and what better way to start getting in the mood than with a book! :) 

Blurb:

Kiera Leslie is all set to welcome Cory Tiger into her home as a foster child. Orphaned and with a learning disability, Cory is looking forward to living with his tutor. Until his uncle shows up...

Sam Tiger returns from military duty to find his deceased brother's son being taken in by a stranger. The boy needs his family—and Sam is it. He never expects the tutor to stand up to him and want to keep Cory. Then the worst happens—he finds himself attracted to Kiera.

It’s Valentine’s Day, and Cupid’s got deadly aim!

My Review:

This is a sweet quicky insta-love story perfect to entertain for an hour or two.

I love reading short stories that still manage to give me a connection to the characters and not just fill the pages with lust. This story delivers!

Sam and Kiera have a special connection through Cory, both wanting the best for the boy. And just in time, the best for everyone is found. I loved Kiera's soft heart and gentle, vulnerable spirit. Sam totally was swoony with his protective instincts and honor.

My favorite moments? The first time Sam holds Kiera in his arms and then later, their first kiss. Both are sweetly real (read: almost awkward before the spark) and just sweetly perfect.

Purchase links:

NEW RELEASE--BEYOND THE FIRE BY CHERYL PIERSON-- AND GIVEAWAY

Two broken hearts find a second chance at love…if they can survive…

When Kendi Morgan witnesses an attempted murder near her home one stormy November night, she makes the only choice her heart will allow: she has to help the victim. But bringing the handsome stranger into her home traps her in the middle of a deadly drug war.

Wounded DEA agent Jackson Taylor is a man with nothing to lose and nothing to fear—until he falls for the beautiful woman who risks everything to save his life.

With his cover blown, Jackson knows he’s all that stands between Kendi and Benito Sanchez, a powerful drug cartel lord. Sanchez swears his vengeance, vowing to see Jackson and Kendi both dead.

Love comes fast when there may be only hours left…can it survive? Or will Jackson sacrifice his partner’s life—along with his own—in exchange for Kendi’s safety? Does a future exist for them BEYOND THE FIRE…


I'm so thrilled to have BEYOND THE FIRE "out there"--again. Yes, this is a re-release, but it's also been retitled. Published a few years back with another company as TEMPTATION'S TOUCH, it's now got a brand new title, cover, and edit--and it's ready to go! This story officially kicks off our MEN IN UNIFORM line with a sizzlin' hot undercover DEA agent and a beautiful divorcee who just happens to save his life!

Y'all know how I love my wounded heroes? Here's an excerpt to whet your appetite! What would you do if you found a strange man being murdered on your property? Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for a FREE DIGITAL COPY OF BEYOND THE FIRE!

Kendi Morgan thinks she's witnessed a murder, but when she comes closer, she sees the "victim" still lives...barely! Can she get him back to her house? Well, let's see...

FROM BEYOND THE FIRE:

“Think you can make it?”

He nodded, putting his hand out to her. “I’ll make it.” There was no doubt in his tone. Kendi let him hold on to her as he stood up, then slipped under his shoulder. He was taller by a good six inches, and had to lean down for support. He favored his side, his fingers absently going to his ribs on the left. Kendi wondered if they were broken.

“This way,” she murmured, taking a step. She felt his solid weight pull at her with each step, knowing he was doing his best to keep up and not lag behind. They had made it up the slippery creek bank and across the small clearing, when she felt his steps flagging even more. She slowed to accommodate him. His breath was harsh and labored in her ear.

“I don’t even know your name,” she said. The least of my worries. She felt it was important, but didn’t know why. Come morning, she was going to see he got to the hospital—one way or another. He needed more care than she could give him.

“Jackson...Taylor.” He stopped, reaching out to support himself against the trunk of a nearby oak tree. He stood for a few moments, leaning heavily against it, trying to catch his breath. “You wonderin’ what to—to put on the tombstone?”

“No,” she responded, moving close as he reached to put an arm across her shoulders once more. “Wondering who to tell the ambulance driver they’re taking to the hospital—”

“Kendi, no.” He stopped, trying to look into her face. She was immediately sorry she’d said anything. “Don’t call...911.”

“But—”

“Promise me, Kendi.”

He was so adamant, so fierce in his demand, Kendi immediately nodded. “Okay. I won’t. I promise. If you’ll—”

As if he’d read her mind, he interrupted her quickly. “I will. I-I’ll explain—” He broke off, cursing under his breath, but Kendi knew it wasn’t aimed at her. His tone was raspy with pain.

“Just a little farther, Jackson.”

He smiled, and when he spoke, she heard the amusement in his tone, though she couldn’t see his face. “Call me Jack. And don’t be so scared.” After a moment, he added, “You’re actin’ like...a girl.”

“I am a girl, in case you hadn’t noticed,” she answered sharply, but there was a hint of mirth in her voice.

“Yeah...I noticed all right.”

Kendi wanted to remark she didn’t know how, seeing as how she was dressed—in a man’s flannel shirt and blue jeans. But she closed her mouth before she said anything, remembering once more that she didn’t have a bra on. The rain had soaked the cotton flannel, plastering it to every curve of her body.

The laughter in his voice was overridden by the pain, but it was there. Kendi was certain that, even as wounded and battered as he was, nothing escaped Jackson Taylor.

Available in digital and print editions--BUY LINKS BELOW:

         

#NewRelease--NINE DEADLY LIVES An Anthology of Feline Fiction--#Giveaway!

From magic to murder, from felines to faeries, the authors of NINE DEADLY LIVES spin thirteen tales featuring those sometimes aloof and occasionally dangerous but always adorable creatures we know and love as cats! Whether it's mystery, fantasy, historical, or romance, these cat tales provide plenty of entertainment and thrills!

As a Hollywood stuntwoman, Beth Hallam follows in her famous dad’s footsteps. But can she measure up as a private eye, as well? In Livia J. Washburn’s SECOND NATURE, Beth must solve her first attempted murder case—on a cat!

Can Dominique dare to hope she—the girl everyone shunned—could win the love of sexy Bran MacKenzie, the most popular guy in town?  In Deborah Macgillivray’s SHOES, SHADES, AND FAERYDUST, it might happen! Take red shoes, a pair of sunglasses, and sprinkle liberally with golden faerydust, and you have a magic spell in the making…

Lovey Villines’s cat, Mr. Fred, is the only witness to her possible murder. Brady Rowe, a veteran police officer, searches for a key that will open MR. FRED’S TREASURE BOX and possibly clear everything up. But what will become of Mr. Fred in Cheryl Pierson’s tale of squabbling siblings and “treasure” to be had?

When cat lady Lynley Cannon discovers a stray kitten trapped in a gym bag, she finds herself pursued through Portland’s warehouse district by gun-wielding thugs.  Lynley is not about to give up the kit to those crazies, so the race is on. Will Lynley survive? Come find out in Mollie Hunt’s CAT’S CRADLE!

In Isabella Norse’s THE NERD IN SHINING ARMOR, working girl Abby needs a hero. Ryan, her neighbor, needs an assistant. Can a battle-scarred tabby with a penchant for quoting from Star Wars bring them together?

Rochelle Spencer’s tale, THE CAT ON COOGAN’S BLUFF, involves a cranky detective who uncovers secrets about baseball, Harlem, and cats. The clues are scarce, and hinge on Harlem’s mysterious residents, a blue-eyed Persian, and an old love gone bad. 

In MISSING LYNX, Clay More pens a story of supernatural tragedy that seems to never end. It is 1926, and the world mourns silent movie heart-throb Rudolph Valentino who has tragically died at the age of thirty-one. But Rudolph’s death is only the first in a series of tragedies in this supernatural feline murder mystery tale from the silent movie era.

C. A. Jamison’s story, DREAM WEAVER, has California newcomer Mary Price being given the impossible task of reading three romance novels in three days. Mary is in disbelief when her newly-adopted cat has her dreaming the outcomes of the stories. The handsome blue-eyed stranger is the hero in each novel, and Mary has no idea she is falling in love with her new boss.

In Mariah Lynne’s CLAWS FOR JUSTICE, two spunky shelter cats, Shurlock and Wattson, learn their time at the shelter is up. The furry duo finds a clever way to escape their fate, only to find their caretaker, Robby, dead. They now must make it their mission to find Robby’s killer and bring him to justice before they get caught again.

WHO LET THE CATS OUT? That’s the question in this story by Faye Rapoport DesPres. When a mysterious fire tears through the main house of the Jane S. Dooley Cat Shelter, Adalyn, the shelter’s director, vows to keep the shelter open. Now, Adalyn has two mysteries on her hands: Who set the fire, and who let the cats out?  

In Brandy Herr’s tale, after Larry's wife walks out on him, the sudden arrival of a mysterious calico cat appears to be just what he needs to lift his spirits.  But appearances can be deceiving. Will THE CALICO be a blessing... or a curse?

Angela Crider Neary pens a supernatural story about an enchanting cat named ANGEL, a series of suspicious fires, and a Colorado sheriff who finds himself wondering if cats really do have nine lives—and trying to figure out who the next victim will be.

Bill Crider’s THE EASTER CAT—When Hollywood private-eye Bill Ferrel gave a ride to the Easter Bunny, he thought he was just doing a friend a favor.  How was he to know he’d wind up chasing a cat through the jungle and trying to prevent a murder?

Be sure to leave a comment to be entered into a drawing for a free ecopy of NINE DEADLY LIVES!

BUY LINKS    Barnes and Noble Nook      Smashwords       Kobo

#NewRelease--CAPTURE THE NIGHT by Cheryl Pierson--Giveaway

Hi everyone! I’m so excited to finally see CAPTURE THE NIGHT coming out—it’s one of those stories that I have had in the back of my mind for years—in fact, the rough draft for it was written a several years ago and only just now edited for “public consumption”!

Everything I write is set in Texas or Oklahoma, and this was no exception. I had to figure out a way to get the Prime Minister of Great Britain to our “neck of the woods” and what better way to do that than to treat him to a rodeo? But, of course, he didn’t count on the rogue faction of the Irish Republican Army seeking him out in America for their own brand of vengeance!

That’s where our hero, Johnny Logan, and the heroine, Alexa Bailey, come in. Johnny is a 20-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department, assigned undercover as extra security for the Prime Minister, Brendan Roberts. When a bloodbath erupts throughout the luxury hotel, Johnny is wounded and manages to get away through a serving door beside the kitchen.

Alexa Bailey, who has come to Dallas to celebrate her one-year divorce anniversary, has made an illicit trip to the rooftop to see the lights of Dallas at night. She seeks sanctuary in the equipment building on the rooftop, and that’s where she and Johnny meet—he stumbles in bleeding, and she (of course!) comes to his aid.

It isn’t long before they discover they are not alone in their temporary haven on the roof…but is the other occupant friend or foe?

The outcome for everyone involved hinges on the mercurial temper of Kieran McShane, the leader of the small army of IRA terrorists, and what he decides to do—culminating with a final showdown between Johnny and McShane high on the rooftop where the story begins—winner take all. Badly wounded, Johnny’s chances are slim—but there is no choice for him—and time is running out.

I hope you will enjoy reading CAPTURE THE NIGHT! 

BLURB

Alexa Bailey intends to celebrate her one-year divorce milestone at the luxurious Riverwind Hotel in Dallas. Instead, she’s plunged into a deadly hostage situation at the hands of a rogue faction of the Irish Republican Army led by madman Kieran McShane. The roof of the hotel is her only escape from the seething danger below.

Johnny Logan is an undercover cop assigned to protect the visiting British Prime Minister. When McShane takes over the Riverwind, all hell breaks loose and Johnny is badly wounded before he manages to escape to the roof.

But the relative safety of the equipment building offers only temporary sanctuary for Johnny and Alexa, and they soon realize even in that remote haven, they’re not alone. With a small hostile army occupying the Riverwind, and the lives of the hostages hanging in the balance, the only thing they can do is try to keep McShane guessing until help comes.

Has love come too late for Alexa and Johnny? The clock is ticking, and time is running out.   In a wager that means life or death for them all, Johnny pits himself against McShane in a “winner-take-all” battle high above the city. Will he be able to save the handful of hostages who are depending on him to CAPTURE THE NIGHT?  

EXCERPT

    Johnny lay very still, looking up at the night sky. The stars tumbled across the velvet darkness like diamonds tossed from some lucky gambler’s hand. Two hours, he thought, by the position of those stars, since Billings had died. Been pushed.

    Alexa’s arm came across his chest in a gentle caress, and he turned his head to kiss the back of her fingers near his shoulder. She wasn’t awake, he knew, but he wanted to show her every moment of tenderness allowed them on this, their last night together.

    He tried to force his mind to relax. He knew he needed to sleep. But hell, by dawn he may be dead. It seemed a waste to sleep these last hours away.

    “Are you awake?” Alexa whispered.

     He smiled, realizing how much he’d wanted her awake with him, wondering if he’d made it happen by the strength of his thoughts. He didn’t try to turn his head to look at her. Right now, he wasn’t sure he could. He was spent.

    “Yeah. Just thinking, Lex. Just wishing we had a way of—capturing this night and holding onto it forever—until it came out right for us.”

    He felt her smile against his shirt. “Johnny, I—I want you to know something.” She came up on her elbow, looking down at him. “I’m not sorry for being here—wrong place, wrong time I guess, most people would say. But it was the right time for me—for us.” She seemed almost shy, looking away from his gaze. “I was married all those years to a man I thought I knew. Thought I loved. But I never knew what love meant until twenty-four hours ago.” She shook her head, an ironic smile curving her full lips. “Twenty-four years I searched for it, Johnny. And in twenty-four hours, I found exactly what I’d missed—with you.” Her brow furrowed and she glanced at him, then looked away again, as if the bright mirror of her love in his eyes was too much to bear.

“I love you.” She gave a self-deprecatory chuckle. “And I feel like I’m sixteen again.” She moistened her lips, glancing up at him. “I have nothing to lose at this point by being completely honest, do I?”

Johnny’s mouth slanted upward. “Alexa…you have nothing to lose with me—ever.”

    The wind teased her hair, blowing strands of it across her face. “I’ve never felt this way before. Earlier—when we—” she stopped, searching for the words she needed.

    “Honesty, Alexa…” Johnny murmured. “You can say anything to me.”

    She nodded. “I know.” She sighed. “It was…the first time I ever wanted anyone so much.”

    She lowered her head, a tear dropping to wet his shirt. “So, anyhow,” she sniffed, wiping her eyes as she tried to smile, “I wanted you to know that no matter what happens—I love you. I know, now, what that means. You showed me, Johnny.”

    His heart pounded against his chest. “Are you tryin’ to tell me something?”

    “We don’t know what’s going to happen. And, even if we do make it out of here alive, you may decide I’m not—what you want—”

    Johnny shook his head. “Stop it, Lex. I need you to be strong right now. For me, and with me. I know Richard hurt you, but you’ve got to battle through that.”

    He brought his hands up to cup her face, but she still wouldn’t look at him. “Know that I love you, whether it’s here or ten years from now. On this roof or—or in the grocery store’s frozen foods aisle.”

    She smiled.

    “I’ll never let you go, Alexa—never. So, you better get used to seeing my face every morning when you wake up.” He lifted her chin with a finger, leaning up to kiss her, ignoring the shot of fire that streaked through his side. She smiled, finally—a real smile—and it was all worth it. Then, she put her mouth to his, and he knew he’d do anything he had to do to keep her with him—once they got out of this.

Leave a comment and you will be entered in a drawing for a free ecopy of  CAPTURE THE NIGHT by Cheryl Pierson.

BUY LINKS    Barnes and Noble Nook      Smashwords        Kobo

FSP - New Release - THE WISHING TREE by Cheryl Pierson - Giveaway!

Please be sure to leave a comment along with your contact information to be entered in the drawing for a digital copy of Cheryl Pierson's THE WISHING TREE.

BLURB

Pete Cochran, a war veteran with both visible and invisible scars, is mostly a loner. Then a special woman with a young son walks into his life as he works at his father's Christmas tree lot–a woman with problems he can't ignore.

Maria Sanchez and her son Miguel eke out an existence on her part-time earnings, but share an abundance of love, except when terrorized by her drug addict relative. When she meets Pete, she sees him not as a frightening man, but a wounded hero returned from war. Her son seems immediately drawn to the unusual Christmas tree vendor.

Will a special tree–a wishing tree–contain enough magic to fulfill all their Christmas desires?

EXCERPT

     Her eyes met his and she smiled. It was a smile he'd not been expecting; a genuine greeting so sincere he wondered if he may have known her from the past. She seemed familiar to him, somehow.      But if he'd known her, he never would've forgotten. She was too beautiful–inside and out–for him to have misplaced that memory. Even with two years in Iraq and the war wounds that separated his normal life before and what passed for normal now.

     He smiled back, reflexively, without conscious thought or effort, and her grin widened. A few feet away from him, she stopped and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.

     Pete's smile faded. He'd been just about to speak when she'd stopped in her tracks like that.

     "That's one of the most beautiful scents on this earth," she said, looking straight into his one good eye. "I've always loved the smell of Christmas."

     There was no rejection in her face–she looked at him the way people used to–before the war. When he'd had both eyes, and no eye patch.

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Fire Star Press New Release -- White Christmas By Cheryl Pierson -- Giveaway!

Cheryl is giving away a free ebook of her short story White Christmas, so be sure to comment and leave your information so she can contact you.

BLURB
Since her divorce, busy ER nurse Carlie Thomas has been only too happy to spend Christmas on duty. This year, however, she’s decided to take a much-needed break. What she gets instead is an unexpected houseguest, courtesy of her Uncle Rick.

Derek Pierce, a fireman with no family, needs some special care after being injured in a fire. As Christmas approaches, Carlie discovers that she has more in common with Derek than being alone. But Derek’s wounds are more than just skin deep. Will they spend the holidays haunted by the ghosts of the past, or could this Christmas spark a new, beautiful friendship…or even something more?

EXCERPT

The box was being so damn stubborn. Lights, it said on the side. Couldn't have a tree with no lights. And this year, Carlie was going to have a tree. It seemed like every year getting the decorations down got worse, and there was nothing she could do to make Christmas any easier. The box was just symbolic of how bad everything had gotten over the last three years since Dan left her.

Carlie blew a strand of hair out of her face and balanced on the pull-down ladder. This shouldn't be so hard. She really didn't have that many Christmas decorations. Every time she put things away after Christmas, she got rid of something. Lights that had worn out, or ratty garland...something always went in the trashcan or the donation box. Usually, both. And she hadn't bought any new decorations during the last four years.

She'd known her marriage was headed due south then. A year later, she was divorced. Being alone every year didn't get any easier than dragging all this damn Christmas stuff out of the attic. Sometimes, she thought maybe she was getting rid of Christmas, little by little. It would take a miracle to make her care—really care—if Christmas even came next year. But this year, for the first time in the memorable past, she had the week off.

She pulled hard, and the bulky box freed up quickly, nearly sending her sprawling backward off the ladder. She caught herself just in time, adrenaline pumping through her. She backed down the ladder, the box in her arms.

Just as Carlie managed to set it inside the laundry room, the phone rang.

"Oh, huh-uh. I am not going back to work." She'd put in for a week's vacation over a year ago. She hadn't had Christmas off for the last four years. Working as an ER nurse in one of Oklahoma City's major hospitals had not afforded her much opportunity for any time off at all over the last eight years—especially not during the holidays.

She reached for the phone and checked the caller ID, a smile replacing the earlier scowl as she pushed the 'talk' button. "Hello, Uncle Rick. How's my favorite uncle?"

"I hope that's true."

Carlie could hear the smile in his voice. "You know it is."

"I've got a favor to ask, honey."

"Anything." The hesitation in his tone made her curious.

"Well...don't promise it before you know what I'm going to ask." He drew a breath, then said, "Remember a couple of days ago, when two of my men were brought in there at Mercy for smoke inhalation?"

"Yes. That fire over on Shartel—"

"That's right. Kevin de la Rosa and Derek Pierce."

Carlie had been on duty that night. The two firefighters' equipment malfunctioned and they barely made it back outside the burning home before they collapsed. Carlie had taken a keen interest in them, since they'd been under her uncle's command. He'd been sick with worry.

"Kevin's back home with his wife and kids."

"Great!"

"But Derek—" He broke off, and Carlie knew he was unsure as to how to proceed.

She smiled. "I know he was supposed to be released today or tomorrow. He was a little more severely affected." I know because I checked up on him.

"Yeah, they're gonna release him this afternoon. But he needs someone with him. I mean, he has to do the breathing treatments every four hours— I know he won't do that on his own."

"Typical man," Carlie teased.

Rick laughed, then sobered. "There's more to it than that, though, honey. A year ago, he lost his brother, sister-in-law, and two nieces to a Christmas fire. It's coming up on the first anniversary of their deaths, and he's alone. He's recovering from the smoke inhalation, and by the way, you were right. He did have a couple of busted ribs. I know your team was the first to see them when they were brought in."

Carlie's mind went back to the night when Derek Pierce and the other firefighter, de la Rosa, had been brought in. Derek had been in worse shape than his buddy. His dark hair was matted with sweat and grit from battling the flames. Soot and grime smudged his face, layering on his olive skin across his cheekbones. He had been handsome, even in that condition. She remembered the tingle that ran through her when his eyes cracked open and met hers.

BUY LINKS         B&N NOOK         SMASHWORDS

HALLOWEEN NEW RELEASE! THE DARKER SIDE OF GOODNESS by CHERYL PIERSON

A generous demon is surprised when the human he tries to help on Halloween shows him The Darker Side of Goodness.


Join me in celebrating the release of my latest short story, a Halloween offering with all kinds of “twist” to it! Even better news? (What could be better than announcing a new release, you ask?) There may be a short film made of this story in the future!


I’m giving away a digital copy of this story to one lucky commenter today—so be sure to leave your contact information in your comment and I’ll draw a name tomorrow!


Blurb:
When Jack Daniels goes into the local bar for a drink on Halloween, he meets Christian Lightfoot, a demon who shows him the truth about his wife Ashley’s infidelity. Jack learns he’s about to become the recipient of a large inheritance, and his wife has plans for it—plans that don’t include him. Will he live in spite of her evil plot to murder him, or will he choose another path…and walk upon The Darker Side of Goodness?


EXCERPT from THE DARKER SIDE OF GOODNESS:


“Who are you?” The thought bounced between them, back and forth, like a ping pong ball. But Jack knew he’d thought of it first.


“Not ‘who,’ Jack. ‘What’ am I?” the smooth voice responded. Christian reached for his glass and took a sip of his drink. He let out a slow, deep sigh of satisfaction.


“It’s been a long time,” he murmured aloud. “Each year seems to grow longer and more tedious. But it’s worth the wait.”


Jack pushed his drink away. He’d had enough. Things were turning just a bit too weird. A sense of loss went through him. He’d been enjoying his time here at The Thirsty Traveler. Now, this odd stranger had invited a wave of unease into the bar. Jack looked around. He and Christian were alone. Everyone else had left. Even Dale was nowhere in sight.


“What does that mean?” Jack asked nervously. He could feel his palms getting clammy. He eased the stool back a couple of inches.


Christian shook his head. “No need to be afraid, Jack. You are my project this year. I wouldn’t dream of hurting you…not on this night, anyway.” He cocked his head. “Now, last night, perhaps you’d have had something to fear. Tomorrow, you’ll have to be on the lookout again. But tonight, you’re safe.”


Jack moistened his lips. “I am so out of here.”


“Oh, not yet.” Christian’s lips slanted upward as he watched Jack struggle to get down from the bar stool. He took another sip of his gin. “I have some things to say to you, my friend,” Christian went on, “when you’re ready to listen.”


Jack struggled to keep the dismay at his own helplessness from his expression. Panic edged his voice. “I just need to…to go home. Ashley will be wondering—”


“Ashley.” Christian spat her name as if it were something foul-tasting.


Jack looked at him in surprise. He stopped struggling.


“It should be clear to you, Jack. It should all be clear, by now. You need to cut your losses. Move on.” He gestured with his hands as he spoke, but didn’t raise his voice.


Panic filled Jack’s chest. Hadn’t he been thinking something very similar just a few minutes before Lightfoot had slid onto the stool beside him? And he hadn’t really ‘slid,’ had he? He had just appeared, with a glimmer and flash.


“Now, don’t be afraid, Jack. I know—I know what you’re thinking. ‘Who is this demon, and what does he want with me.’ Right?”


“Demon?”


Oh, dear God.



If you just can't wait to see if you've won, here is the Amazon link. It's also available at Smashwords and Barnes and Noble, as well as other digital outlets. Don't forget to leave your contact info in your comment!

http://www.amazon.com/Darker-Side-Goodness-Cheryl-Pierson-ebook/dp/B00NUGANR6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1411579230&sr=1-1&keywords=the+darker+side+of+goodness

New Release: A HEART FOR A HEART by Cheryl Pierson -- Giveaway

Today Cheryl will be giving away a e-copy of her story A Heart for a Heart to one person who leaves a comment on this blog. Be sure and put your contact information if you want a chance to win.

BLURB
Kiera Leslie is all set to welcome Cory Tiger into her home as a foster child. Orphaned and with a learning disability, Cory is looking forward to living with his tutor. Until his uncle shows up...
Sam Tiger returns from military duty to find his deceased brother's son being taken in by a stranger. The boy needs his family and Sam is it. He never expects the tutor to stand up to him and want to keep Cory. Then the worst happens—he finds himself attracted to Kiera.


It’s Valentine’s Day, and Cupid’s got deadly aim!

EXCERPT

“Let's try it again, Cory.” Kiera Leslie pushed her hair back and straightened her shoulders. Nothing was more uncomfortable than these elementary school plastic chairs. They'd been working on the spelling words for the past twenty-five minutes, over half of their tutoring time gone for the day. “Look them over one more time.”

“Yes, Miss Kiera,” Cory murmured, dutifully bending to his task again.

“Cory?”

The ten-year-old looked up at her with eyes as black as coal. His expression gave away nothing.

“Is...everything all right at the Landrums'?”

“I guess.” He scuffed his feet together under the table. “When can I come live with you, though?”

Kiera smiled. “Tomorrow, sweetie.” She put a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I know it's been a very hard month for you—losing your parents and having to go into foster care.” He nodded, and she sensed his hesitancy.

“I don't like Mr. Landrum. He says things—” Cory broke off.

“Like what?” Kiera figured she had a pretty good idea, and when Cory didn't answer, she knew she'd been right. “About you being Indian?” Cory nodded, and lowered his head.

Anger shot through her, and she steadied herself before she went on. “What does he say, Cory?”

“He calls me “Chief” and he says stupid stuff in front of people. The other day, one of the neighbors came over and Mr. Landrum tried to make me dance. I told him no, and he said I had to—to dance, or I couldn't have supper.”

“What?”

“I'm not lyin' Miss Kiera. I promise.”

“I know, honey,” she reassured him. “What happened next?”

Cory raised his head and looked at her directly. “I wouldn't do it. So I didn't get any supper. Mrs. Landrum came in later on and gave me a couple of cookies and a glass of milk.”

“Oh, Cory—”

“It didn't matter.” He shrugged. “And I've just got one more night—”

One more night in hell. Kiera's lips pressed together, her mind tumbling. If she called the case worker, maybe...

“Miss Kiera, when I come to stay with you, could we order pizza sometimes? The Landrums don't believe in pizza.”

Kiera smiled. “We'll have it tomorrow night, to celebrate.” Kiera had pulled some strings to get the courts to allow Cory to be placed in her home. She'd just completed her training and background check two weeks earlier, and a friend who worked for the Department of Human Services had arranged Cory's permanent placement with her, even though she was single. The system had need of good homes, and that didn't necessarily mean two-parent homes any more, with so many of them disappearing nowadays. Kiera had passed with flying colors, and she was looking forward to welcoming Cory Tiger into her life.

She'd been Cory's tutor for the past three years, ever since the middle of second grade. Somehow, despite all the problems he'd faced, he'd managed to pass. Since she'd become his tutor, Kiera had come to know Cory and he'd opened up to her after the first few weeks they'd met.

As time went by, Kiera could see that Cory was struggling to beat the odds stacked against him. An alcoholic mother, a drugged-out father, a baby sister who had already been given to distant relatives to raise, and on top of everything, a mild form of dyslexia.

Kiera had already begun the foster care training program, and nearly had it completed when Cory's parents were killed in a car wreck. The Landrum household was a stopgap measure until Cory could be placed somewhere permanently. Tomorrow, she hoped with everything in her, that transition would happen smoothly.

“I'm ready,” Cory muttered under his breath.

Kiera's throat tightened at the worried doubt in Cory's voice. He'd been through so much—it had to all work out, for his sake. She patted his arm. “It's going to be fine, Cory.” She gave him a reassuring smile. “You'll see.”

He nodded, still looking uncertain as he turned back to study his spelling words before they went over them again.

Kiera glanced toward the door of the library, catching a glimpse of movement. A tall serviceman stood just inside the doorway in camo pants, a nondescript gray t-shirt and combat boots. His skin was a shade darker than Cory's, but when he met her eyes, she knew there could be no doubt that he and the boy were related.

Her heart jumped. He looked at her without smiling, then started toward the table where she and Cory sat.

Cory looked up, startled at first, then a joyous smile lit his face. “Uncle Sam!” He pushed the chair back quickly and stood, just as the man reached him, engulfing him in a hug.

“Cory!” He went down to his haunches after a moment, looking at Cory, his hands rubbing Cory's arms and shoulders. “Look at you!”

“I'm ten now!”

Sam laughed and came to his feet, ruffling Cory's dark hair. “I know.”

Handsome. My God, the man was handsome. With eyes as penetrating and knowing as if he carried the wisdom of the ages, short cropped black hair, and an easy, killer smile.

BUY LINKS

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Fire Star Press New Release Always and Forever by Cheryl Pierson -- Giveaway

Today Cheryl will be giving away a e-copy of her story Always and Forever to one person who leaves a comment on this blog. Be sure and put your contact information if you want a chance to win.

Blurb:

At a children's Halloween carnival, a Gypsy fortuneteller predicts a new love for both Cindy and Gage. When the two meet over a poorly carved pumpkin, love flickers to life and the stars begin to align.

But the odds of finding a new love later in life seem insurmountable, and the prophecy seems too good to be true. After all, Gage has been burned before and Cindy doesn't believe in fortunes or second chances.

Will doubt overshadow their attraction or has love already been set in motion? Can the star-crossed pair put their faith in the love that was foretold? Can they believe in each other?

Sample:

“I'm sorry, Jack.” Cindy Taylor looked down at her six-year-old grandson, then glanced again at the sad excuse for a jack-o-lantern they were trying to carve together. Winning the school carnival pumpkin judging competition was going to be out of their reach tonight, Cindy thought ruefully. “I guess I'm out of practice. It's been a lot of years since I did this last.”

Jack patted her arm seriously. “It's all right, Nana. It's been a long time since you had a kid. You'll do better next year.” But Cindy could see the disappointment in her grandson's features—the deep brown eyes and square chin that reminded her so much of his father it hurt.

The school gymnasium had been transformed with colored lanterns and Halloween decorations in orange, black, and purple hues. Crepe paper streamers hung across the rafters and cutouts of witches, spiders, and black cats were attached at different heights.

The school principal, Mr. Jameson, and several of the teachers were in costume around the room, distributing candy, and hosting the activities and games. Cindy had even brought herself to enter the gypsy fortune teller's booth earlier, pushing aside the feeling of unreasoning trepidation. Thankfully, her “fortune” proved so ludicrous she'd barely managed to keep from laughing before she exited the small enclosure. Finding a second chance at love at her age was a miracle not even a real gypsy could arrange.

“Really,” Jack said, fidgeting beside her now. “It looks...all right.”

Jack's attempt at comforting her brought a lump to her throat. As much as she'd lost this past year, he had lost more. Her son and daughter-in-law had been killed in a car accident. Jack had lost his entire world. And now, he was trying to console her over the tacky job she'd done of pumpkin carving.

This was supposed to be fun. An alternative to going door-to-door for treats. A wave of nostalgia washed over her as she remembered past Halloween holidays. Her son, Brian, had always loved this holiday above all others. But for her, the noise of the crowded room suddenly seemed overwhelming. She wanted it to be over, and she wanted to be someplace soothing. Someplace quiet.

“Nana? Is it all right if I go over there?”

A group of boys stood waiting their turn to go into the inflatable castle. Cindy smiled. “Sure. You go ahead, sweetie. I'll see if I can't make ol' Snaggletooth, here, a bit more presentable.”

“Jack!”

He turned at the excited voice, a smile lighting his face. “Star!” He ran forward and grabbed his classmate by the hand. Jack pulled the girl toward her, and Cindy bent low as he introduced them.

“Nana, this is my very best friend, Star Ross. She's the one I told you about that can play the wooden flute, and she makes up her own music, too!”

Cindy looked into the girl's face. Her Indian heritage was evident in the high cheekbones, dark eyes, and her coal black hair.

“And she can dance!”

Cindy couldn't help but laugh at Jack's enthusiasm. “Hello, Star. I'm Jack's grandmother.”

“Wow. You don't seem like a grandmother!” The smile never left Star's face. “You're too young. And pretty!”

Before Cindy could reply, a male voice interrupted. “Hey, where's my girl gotten off to?” Cindy looked up to see a tall, muscular man coming toward them. There was no doubt he was related to Star. His black eyes flashed with the same mischievous glint, his skin the same gorgeous olive color as Star's.

“Hey, Jack!” He reached to shake Jack's hand as he joined them.

“I'm Star's dad, Gage Ross.” He gave Cindy a slow smile, extending his hand to her. She took it, mesmerized, barely remembering her manners at the last second.

“Cindy Taylor. I'm...uh, Jack's—” She broke off, suddenly hating the word ‘grandmother'. There was only one word worse in her book, and Jack chose that particular time to use it.

“This is my granny, Mr. Ross. I just call her Nana, though.”

Cindy couldn't remember ever wanting a roll of duct tape as badly as she did right at the moment. She felt the flush burning her neck and face in record time.

Gage seemed to understand. He regarded her gravely, not glancing at Jack. “You have a lovely Nana, Jack. Thank you for the introduction.”

“Can we go now?” Jack asked. “I see Derek over there.”

“Sure,” Cindy answered softly. She glanced down to give Jack a reminder to be careful, only to find that he and Star were already halfway across the gym floor.

“I've been waiting a long time to meet you,” Gage said. “Seems like forever.”

Links:

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Bio:

Cheryl was born in Duncan, OK, and grew up in Seminole, OK. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma, and holds a B.A. in English. Cheryl lives with her husband in Oklahoma City, OK, where she has been for the past 29 years. 

Writing is so much a part of her life that recently, she and long-time friend Livia Reasoner, opened a publishing house for western and historical stories.

For adult contemporary/futuristic stories and novels, check out their imprint FIRE STAR PRESS http://firestarpress.com.