Silver Under the Moonlight – Excerpts
1. “The leaves rustled in front of me and I froze, gasping when I was met with eyes the color of whiskey. I was mesmerized by those eyes, even once I realized they belonged to the largest white wolf I’d ever seen. I should have been terrified, but I wasn’t. If anything, I was drawn to this animal. Before I could stop myself, my feet were moving towards the majestic beast. I watched in awe as he knelt before me, nudging my hand with his snout. I sank down to my knees and gently stroked his head.
I had never seen a wolf outside the zoo, let alone within city limits. I never would have guessed it would be so docile. The connection between us was confusing to say the least.
How could I be linked to this wild animal when I didn’t feel it with my own family or anyone else in my life? I was suddenly spilling the events of the evening to him as though he were my closest confidant. It wasn’t until I noticed I was surrounded by darkness that I realized how late it was. I rose to my feet, saddened to be leaving my new friend. My heart broke a little when he whined at my feet. It seemed like he felt just as connected to me as I did to him. I had no bloody idea what was happening right now.
“I’ll come back, same time tomorrow,” I whispered, dropping a kiss on his soft fur.
I could have sworn he nodded, but dismissed the idea with a chuckle. The only thing I knew for sure was I needed to see him again.”
2. “My draw to Dax was beyond a physical one. It was though on some cosmic, spiritual level we were intrinsically linked. I suppose, given the fated mates thing, this was exactly the case. I rose to my knees, throwing one leg over him so that I was straddling him. I grinned when his eyes widened and linked my hands behind his head, pulling him closer for a kiss.”
3. “In a matter of minutes, the room had emptied with the exception of the few of us looking after the kids. I looked around, Leslie was here and there were probably thirty kids ranging in age from infant to preteen. To say they were rambunctious would be an understatement. I couldn’t help but laugh when one of the toddlers came running at me, jumped in the air, and shifted just as he reached my arms. I caught him with an oomph, scratching behind his ears without even thinking about it.
“Wow, you’re definitely a shifter’s mate,” Leslie laughed.
“What makes you say that?” I asked, giggling at the pup in my arms and his friends who were hopping about on my feet.
“Because I can’t think of any other human who wouldn’t have been freaked the f*ck out by that,” said the blue-haired girl beside me, “I’m Sage, nice to meet you, Silver.”
I grinned at her, loving her bluntness right away.
“Sage, must you be so crude? There are little ones around,” Julianne admonished.
“Sorry, ma’am. Doesn’t change the fact that our girl here is the perfect addition to our pack.”
“She’s family,” Leslie said, smiling.”
4. “He walked out and I was glad that he’d come to clear the air. I pushed down the cynical part in me that was screaming that this was all bullshit. If it wasn't, though, Dax and his parents would be thrilled that he seemed to be turning a corner. Things had been going well in my life. I should have known it wouldn’t last.
I walked out the door, threw the bag in the bin, and turned to go back in. Instead, a fist came flying towards me. I didn’t have a chance to react before it connected with my face, pain exploding across my jaw. I jumped back to try avoiding the next punch, but his reach was too long and he connected with my temple. Tears sprang to my eyes and I struggled to stay upright. I shoved hard against him, trying to get back to the door to scream for help. He grabbed my wrists, holding them painfully.
I opened my mouth to scream, but his hand clamped down on it, muffling any noise I was making. Terror filled me as he dragged me towards a car. I was filled with dread when I realized the trunk was open and waiting for me. He landed another fist to my face and the world started to fade around me. I fought to stay conscious, but he was just too strong. I was forced into the trunk, everything going dark as the car pulled away.”
5. “We stalked around each other, blood pouring from our wounds, but unwilling to concede the fight. We fought ferociously, a flurry of claws and teeth. Years of bar fights had made him a more than competent fighter, though he focused more on cheap shots. He didn’t think things through like I did. He came at me, but I ran full tilt at him, slamming him into a tree, his ribs shattering on impact.
Each time he tried taking me down, I attacked strategically. When he moved to sink his claws into me again, I sidestepped and bit down on his leg. The power of my jaw snapped his ulna, the crunching of bone echoing in the air. He cried out; his leg now crippled. I didn’t waste any time. I bit down on his flank, tearing his flesh.
Whether it was the wrath between us or the fact shifters have accelerated healing, I didn’t know, but by all rights, we should have dropped by now. I was vaguely aware of other wolves arriving, gathering in a circle around us, all growling low in their throats. He hurled himself towards me again, but I rocked back on my haunches, pushing off, my jaw closing on his throat. I knocked him onto his back and loomed over him, sinking my teeth deeper into his throat.”
Can you, for those who don't know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
I’ve always been a writer in some form or fashion. It kind of got pushed to the wayside for many years, between raising my children as a single mom and the crazy hours I had to work.
Several years ago, due to health reasons, I was unable to work as I had been. Suddenly my life wasn’t something that made sense anymore. It was at that point I turned to writing. I needed an outlet for the pain and frustration and it fit perfectly. Now that my kids are grown, I have the time to truly dedicate to writing
What is something unique/quirky about you?
I’m very bendy LOL. I can Bend and lock my fingers in some very unnatural positions. I can dislocate my shoulders on command. Both very useful traits if I want to get out of restraints of some sort ;).
What are some of your pet peeves?
Hmm, so many to choose from LOL. I hate when people chew/talk with full mouths. Just…ewww. Getting stuck behind people going 10 under the speed limit in the fast lane. My biggest pet peeve though, is people who judge others based on their life choices. I don’t believe any one person is in a position to control who or what another person is or thinks.
Where were you born/grew up at?
I was born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, but grew up about an hour north of Toronto. I’ve moved a lot in my life though, so there’ve been lots of cities between. Two years ago, I landed back in Niagara.
Who is your hero and why?
For a very long time, my mother would have earned this spot. I love her dearly and she’ll always be a hero to me, but my youngest son has stolen this spot. He has faced a lot of adversity in his life, but always fights his way through it. I’m so proud of the way he’s able to stand up for himself and be confident enough to do so, at the young age of 18. Once he sets a goal, he does everything in his power to reach it, even if it seems impossible.
What do you do to unwind and relax?
Since Covid hit, I’ve stayed very close to home, focusing on my writing, reading a lot. I listen to music quite a bit. I watch too much TV. A lot of my normal activities were off the table due to the state of emergency/lockdown for so much of the last year.
Now that people are finally getting vaccinated, I feel more comfortable going a bit further than home. This weekend I’m staying with friends that I haven’t seen for a year and a half. Of course, it’s 4am, they’re asleep and I’m answering these questions!
I’m hoping that, at least once this summer, I’ll be able to get away for a few days, free of technology. Everyone needs to step away sometimes
How to find time to write as a parent?
The most I accomplished while my kids were growing up was journaling and some poetry. I’m not sure I could have done then what I do now. I’m in awe of the parents that manage this and so much more!
Describe yourself in 5 words or less!
Overachiever, fair, fiercely protective, sarcastic.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve been reading longer than I can even remember. My mom taught me to read and write at the age of 3 and I never looked back. My down time, in school and at home, was always taken up by one or both of them. I started winning contests in elementary school and continued through high school.
I wrote mainly poetry until a few years ago. What started off as a “short story battle” with my son, quickly turned into my first published book, and then my second. It was enough to make me realize how much I’d missed writing and decided to make a go of it.
Do you have a favorite movie?
I’m not sure I could ever choose just one favourite! It really just depends on my mood. Some days, I want a feel-good movie, often based, at least in part, on a true story. Others, I really need to see explosions or bad people getting the crap beaten out of them (Equalizer :P). If I just need something in the background while I read or write, I’ll throw on something like Twilight. No idea why, it’s just kind of my go to for when I can’t decide on something!
Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?
I’m not afraid to admit that I laugh, cry, and get angry right along with my characters as I write. I think, if I had to choose, it would be either Accepted or Dark Trio.
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
I think my spirit animal would be a phoenix I love the idea of rebirth and rising from the ashes. Many times in my life I’ve been knocked down and forced to completely change the way I live my life. Whether it be family changes, health issues, or otherwise, I start new and just keep fighting.
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