Behind the Eight Ball (Fur, Fangs, and Felines 2) by M.A. ChurchPaperback: 214 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (October 30, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1634766962
ISBN-13: 978-1634766968
Amazon: Behind the Eight Ball (Fur, Fangs, and Felines 2)
Amazon Kindle: Behind the Eight Ball (Fur, Fangs, and Felines 2)
Blurb: A cool morning, a yard full of birds, and a kitty on a mission. What more could a werecat want? Beta Heller Wirth has it all, except a mate—a shifter mate, that is. The last thing he wants is one of those dangerous humans who kill without remorse. Heller knows about that firsthand. So what does the goddess Bast do? She gives Heller exactly what he does not want—a human: business owner Lawson Dupre.
Lawson hasn’t a clue what just happened in his car detail shop. One minute a cute client is about to pass out, then he perks up and starts flirting. Next thing, he runs out the door like the hounds of hell are after him. Learning that Heller is a werecat doesn’t freak out Lawson. He happens to be one of those rare humans who knows paranormals exists. He even lives with one. Watch the fur fly as Heller and Lawson battle hurt feelings, misguided beliefs, and a power shift in Heller’s clowder.
Excerpt:
Step.
Step.
Stop.
The rustling of dead leaves caught my attention, and I froze with one paw still in the air. Not moving and barely daring to breathe, I waited. My whiskers twitched as a cool October breeze disturbed the scent of decaying leaves and rich soil. The foliage trembled again as something rooted around.
I slowly lowered my paw. The disturbance wasn’t very noticeable except to my predatory gaze. The movement continued. Gradually, bit by bit, I crept forward, making sure my long fur didn’t disturb the surrounding mounds of dying leaves. It was times like these I wished my coat were short like Dolf’s. One thing was for sure—whatever was below those leaves was going to be mine shortly. All I needed was to cover a little more distance and I’d be close enough.
Step.
Step.
Crouch.
Heart thumping, I watched as the movement continued. My muscles tightened and my bottom started wiggling. Unable to wait, I sprang forward, claws extended. Leaves flew into the air as I landed on my target. Bugs scattered. Eyes narrowed, I searched for…. There! There was the little bugger. I growled at the big black beetle and trapped it with my paw.
Seconds passed. The bug wiggled under my paw, tickling me. Hunched down, I carefully lifted my paw and peeked. Dammit, can’t see. Unable to get a good look, I lifted my paw a little higher… and there it went, scuttling across the ground. Gleefully I slammed a paw down, trying to trap it. Slap. Slap. Slap. Arrgh! What’s the deal? I keep missing.
Looked like I’d found myself in a game of whack-a-mole, except with a beetle. And off we went. The bug scurried away with me hot on its trail. Every time I thought I had a paw on it, I ended up missing. Stupid critter was fast. I bounded along behind as it raced across the ground. Then it suddenly cut back and ran straight under me.
Surprised, I leaped in the air, all four paws coming off the ground. Whoa! Zigged when I should have zagged. I landed and nonchalantly licked a paw. Hope no one saw that. I had to give the bug credit. That was a smart move. The shrill cry of a mockingbird caught my attention. I lifted my head, searching for the little tattletale.
Up in a tree it sat, its warning cries echoing around the yard. I eyed the tree. Hmm, I could climb it, but the stupid bird will probably just take off. Still, might be fun. Maybe after I finished playing with the bug… and damn. The bug.
My attention returned to where it had been, my tail slashing. Great. Lost it. Stupid bird. I sat up and threw a glare over my shoulder at the bird. Standing, I turned my back to the little menace, tail held high. That’s what I think of you, buddy. I prowled around for a while, sniffing, enjoying the coolness of the morning.
In the early morning sunlight, the dew on the grass sparkled like diamonds. Maybe it was pretty, but the stuff was also cold and wet against my paws. I was glad for my fur. As I wandered back toward the house, my stomach growled. I was hungry and… I sniffed. Oh, was that a blue jay I smelled? Oh, oh, a blue jay. Yum.
The human side of me groaned, but the kitty part wanted to jump with joy. The noisy little shits were actually quite intelligent. Catching one was always a feat. Quick as I could, I hid in the bright fall foliage by the back porch. I stayed very, very still so the stupid bird three feet from me didn’t fly off in a panic.
I licked my lips, my whiskers twitching as I watched the little rascal across from me raise its head. Shit, shit, shit. What caught its attention? Come on already. It’s all fine, nothing to worry about here. No cat hanging around. Just go back to pecking around on the ground. Everything’s good. See? I’m not moving, not even breathing.
Crouched low, I waited while my breakfast relaxed and returned to looking for acorns. Other birds came and went, but I refused to get distracted. I knew the one I wanted. Inch by agonizing inch, I crept closer to my prey. My mouth watered and my heart thumped.
The chatter of the birds around me was easy and relaxed, no distress calls sounding. That’s right. Just keep on eating. Soon I’m going to be eating you. My body tensed, back legs ready to spring me into action….
And the phone in the house rang.
Meet the author: M.A. Church is a true Southern belle who spent many years in the elementary education sector. Now she spends her days lost in fantasy worlds, arguing with hardheaded aliens on far-off planets, herding her numerous shifters, or trying to tempt her country boys away from their fishing poles. It’s a full time job, but hey, someone’s gotta do it!When not writing, she’s exploring the latest M/M novel to hit the market, watching her beloved Steelers, or sitting glued to HGTV. That’s if she’s not on the back porch tending to the demanding wildlife around the pond in the backyard. The ducks are very outspoken. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, and they have two children.
She was a finalist in the Rainbow awards for 2013 and is a member of Romance Writers of America, Rainbow Romance Writers, and Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
1) How do you feel about e-books vs print books?
Boy, that’s fast becoming an age-old question, lol. I have been reading and buying books since I was old enough to understand the written word. I have donated laundry baskets full of paperbacks and hardbacks to my library over the years.
I still even have some paperbacks from my favorite mainstream authors and several M/M authors. I have copies of my paperback books. Nothing tops the feeling of seeing your work in book form and being able to hold it. Except maybe signing it!
The thing is, I bought a Surface here recently, solely for the purpose of reading epub. I thought about getting a Kindle, but I’ve got hundreds of ebooks. Can you imagine how much space I would need if all of those were actual books? And that right there is the reason I’ve decided to go with e-books.
2) What process did you go through to get your first book published?
The first book I had published was probably different than how most folks go about it. I was writing on a free site, and on the advice of a friend I met there, I started putting my work at another free site. A publisher saw me, and contacted me wanting the story I was working on. I did some checking around and subbed with that publisher.
3) How do you find or make time to write?
I no longer work, so making time to write really isn’t an issue as far as having a job outside of the home. Writing is my job now, so I don’t ‘make’ time for it. The problem, of course, is that I’m at home. So I tend to get distracted by household chores, like vacuuming or watering the plants.
4) Name one person who you feel supported you outside of your family members?
I would have to say Tali Spencer. I met her while writing at that free website under the name of nomoretears00. It’s kind of a funny story. I had sent her a PM encouraging her not to let a nasty comment get to her. LOL.
Little did I know just how much experience she had as an author. We became friends, and then I found out she’d read some of my stories and liked them. I had questions and she had answers, lol. Boy, did I have questions.
So she was the one who supported a struggling newbie in the beginning of her fledgling writing career, lol. We’ve since become very good friends.
5) Tell us about a book you’re reading now.
I have an ARC of Chris T. Kat’s Battle Stations I can’t wait to read.
Where to find the author:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ma.church3
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/MA-Church/173797619379487
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nomoretears00
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nomoretears00/
Other: Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007A8JA4C
Other: Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5141393.M_A_Church
Tour Dates & Stops:
12-Oct: Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My, Multitasking Mommas, Parker Williams
13-Oct: KathyMac Reviews, Nautical Star Books
14-Oct: Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
15-Oct: The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, MM Good Book Reviews, Emotion in Motion
16-Oct: Full Moon Dreaming
19-Oct: V's Reads, BFD Book Blog
20-Oct: Bonkers About Books, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves
21-Oct: Happily Ever Chapter, Divine Magazine
22-Oct: Bayou Book Junkie, Lee Brazil
23-Oct: Jessie G. Books
27-Oct: The Jena Wade
28-Oct: Molly Lolly, Love Bytes
29-Oct: Inked Rainbow Reads, My Fiction Nook, Hearts on Fire, Elisa - My Reviews and Ramblings
30-Oct: 3 Chicks After Dark, QUEERcentric Books, Open Skye Book Reviews
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