I’m on pins and needles, waiting for the release of Renewed, book four in the Matawapit Family Series. I received an official publication date of February 7, 2020 from my publisher eXtasy Books. So here is another excerpt to whet your appetite.
Before I continue, and if you’ve read my previous WIP Wednesday post, I am proud to say both short stories I mentioned, Dressed for Success and After the Snow Melts, are now in the editing stages with my publisher. Whee!
Since I post in advance (and it’s Christmas Eve morning LOL), I’ll have started on my next full-length novel project. More news will be forthcoming in another update.
WIP Wednesday
The Matawapit Family Series: In the wilds of Northwestern Ontario, the adult children of a domineering Ojibway church deacon find their faiths crumbling and their beliefs faltering when a vengeful former lover, an ex-fiancé out on parole, and a seductive family enemy challenge Emery, Bridget, and Jude in a duel of love, loyalty, and values that threatens to destroy their perfect Catholic lives and family.
Here is Teaser Two for Renewed:
Raven shoved the door open and strode out into the cool night air, straight into the headlights from Jude’s running truck. She got in, her butt thumping hard on the heated leather seat.
Jude reached over and squeezed her hand.
A lump the size of an onion settled in Raven’s throat. She forced the stupid thing downward. If her family didn’t want her during such a crucial time for Mom, so be it.
“Wanna take a drive?”
Raven’s neck was stiffer than an unoiled hinge, but she managed to nod. She stared out the passenger window.
“Y’know, it’s okay to cry.”
Tears gathered in Raven’s eyes. “I’m not gonna cry for them.” Her voice shook.
“They’re your family. If my family acted that way, I’d be pretty upset. I’m thankful they accepted us. When Dad and Emery were estranged over Darryl, he was hurting really bad.”
Raven turned. “I can’t believe your dad did that to his own son.”
Jude sighed. “Family can have strong feelings about who we associate with, especially people we don’t approve of. But Dad understood he was wrong. If Emery was truly meant to be a priest, I’d be going to his ordination next month. I’m not.”
“Would it have been weird?” Raven dug her vape from her purse.
“Nope. I thought good and hard about the permanent diaconate at one point. I have no regrets I didn’t even get past the orientation.” Jude chuckled.
“I can’t picture you as a deacon like your dad.” At least the lump had vanished. Again, Jude had worked his magic, dispelling the terrible ache in Raven’s chest.
“Can I?” She held up the vape.
“Go ahead.” Jude cracked her window down one-third of the way. “After what happened, you deserve it. It’s only vapor.”
He released her hand and shifted the gear into drive. “Where to?”
“Anywhere. Far from here.”
“Gotcha.” He drove away from the nursing station.
After a few minutes, they turned off onto the other road. Soon they’d come upon the junction leading to the Matawapits’ house, or they could go straight or hang a right.
“I wanna go to the Treaty Grounds.”
“Sounds good in my book.” He reached over the console and locked their fingers together again, his thumb massaging the back of her hand. “Whatever you need.”
“What I need is to get fucked.” Raven sucked on the vape. The nicotine flavor scooted down her throat.
“Funny.” Jude chuckled.
A deep breath left Raven’s lungs. “I’m serious.”
“Uh…really?” Jude glanced at her and back to the road.
“Yeah. Why?” She peered at him.
“It’s just— honestly?”
“Yeah—honestly.”
He cleared his throat. “I assumed most women wanna be held during a…tough time.”
“Remember, I’m nothing like your ex-wife.” Having Jude deep inside her would ease away the queasiness in Raven’s stomach, an off-and-on queasiness after meeting Jude and knowing sooner or later she’d have to choose him or her family.
“You sure aren’t.” Jude expelled a low whistle. “Nothing like her at all.”
Raven let go of his hand. She stuck the vape in the cupholder and worked off the leather jacket Jude had bought during their trip to Thunder Bay. To save time so they could get busy right away, she discarded her mukluks. She might as well remove her clothes, too.
When she unbuttoned her cardigan, Jude sputtered. “Whoa, what’re you doing?”
“Undressing.”
“Uh, yeah, I see that.” He grinned wolfishly. “I…I feel guilty being turned on when you’re feeling bad.”
“I told you. I’m not like other women. They want cuddles? I want dick. Your dick.” Raven shucked the cardigan. She unfastened her bra.
“My dick belongs to you.”
The headlights bounced off the skeleton remains of sleeping underbrush soon to wake with the coming spring.
Raven wiggled from her leggings. She folded them. All she had left was her panties.
“I gotta admit, I like this way of making you feel better during a tough time.” Jude’s reply was deeper than his normal authoritative tone, slightly dewy when he grew horny.
To read Sanctified, book three in the Matawapt Family Series, and the start of Jude and Raven’s love story, you can purchase a copy at eXtasy Books. Here’s an excerpt.
To read Emery’s story, Blessed, book one in the Matawapit Family Series, you can purchase a copy at eXtasy Books. Here’s an excerpt.
To read Bridget’s story, Redeemed, book two in the Matawapit Family Series, you can purchase a copy at eXatsy Books. Here’s an excerpt.
Maggie Blackbird 