When New Orleans detectives are forced to work with a shapeshifting reformed mobster – who is as unnatural as he is enigmatic – to save the daughter of one of their own before she becomes the latest victim of the killer haunting the Quarter, things are understandably tense. BOUND BY MOONIGHT, the fourth book in my “By Moonlight” series featuring tough as nails detective Charlotte Caissie, who now shares drawer space and headlines with her preternatural lover, Max Savoie, pushes both parties to the limit of trust and acceptance when she asks him to return to his criminal roots to help her solve a complex case before it’s too late. With his secret spreading, Max is forced to risk his family and his clan to join with a hated enemy as the loyalties that define them threaten to divide them forever.
He heard something . . . something bigger than the usual rat or stray dog . . . probably just a couple of bums. Squinting blearily toward the heavy shadows, Detective Junior Hammond saw no movement, but something was creeping around just out of sight.
Practically dancing with urgency, he ducked behind the dumpster to relieve himself, fumbling with his belt when he heard the low growls that vibrated with menace . . . dozens of them. He whirled around to see faint shapes slinking through the mist, their movements unnaturally fluid and quick, eyes glowing, way too high to belong to a dog as they drew nearer, huddling pack-like, sinister in their caution, predatory in their patience.
He lurched forward, stumbling into the center of the alley, trying to tear through the effects of liquor and fear to think of how to save himself from these terrifying figures casting shadows that were half man . . . half something else.
“Come on,” he shouted at the beasts that encircled him but came no closer, “what are you waiting for?”
The ring of feral creatures parted, not to give him an escape, but to provide a purposefully dramatic entry.
The swirl of his long black raincoat swept away the ribbons of fog as he approached with an unhurried stride, the rhythmic swagger filled with arrogance and lethal control. Hammond knew who it was even before he could see the hard angles of his face, even before the dim light glinted ruby red off his unblinking eyes.
Savoie.
In January, I’ll be moving into the “Shadows” portion of the series, giving my favorite secondary characters their own stories, beginning with Silas MacCreedy, Charlotte’s new partner who brings unusual talents to the table along with his own agenda in HUNTER OF SHADOWS.
I’m enjoying a week with my grandguy to celebrate the New Year, and making resolutions for 2019 – beginning with finishing RISE BY MOONLIGHT and exploring other projects I’ve had on the backburner for far too long, some new, some old becoming new again. What are your plans for this brand new year?
I’m enjoying a week with my grandguy to celebrate the New Year, and making resolutions for 2019 – beginning with finishing RISE BY MOONLIGHT and exploring other projects I’ve had on the backburner for far too long, some new, some old becoming new again. What are your plans for this brand new year?
Celebrate, fellow Warriors, by remembering why we do that voodoo that we do so well!
Happy New Year!!
Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.
Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.
What a way to make an entrance!
ReplyDeleteGo BIG I always say!
DeleteA very dramatic scene and easy to visualize thanks to your detailed description! Enjoyed the excerpt...
ReplyDeleteBetter to imagine it than live it!
DeleteThis is a fascinating and amazingly visual line - The swirl of his long black raincoat swept away the ribbons of fog as he approached with an unhurried stride, the rhythmic swagger filled with arrogance and lethal control. and amazingly visual line -
ReplyDeleteGreat job.
Tweeted.
Happy New Year.
It's one of my absolute favorites!
DeleteNow that is a dramatic entrance. Love the description of the creatures, and Max. So cool!
ReplyDeleteNot what you'd usually encounter in an alley - even in NO!
DeleteTalk about making an entrance! This would make such a cool movie scene. Loved the suspense of it. :)
ReplyDeleteI always visualize my scenes as I'm writing them as if they were on the big screen.
DeleteI second Janna's sentiment -- quite an impressive entrance!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ed!
DeleteWhat a bad moment to have to pee- it makes Savoie's entrance all the more impressive.
ReplyDeleteHe should have used the restroom!
DeleteAll the drama. That's not a good night he's having!
ReplyDeleteAnd it's about to get worse!
DeleteLove the descriptions in this! Nice noir gumshoe feel to it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a creepy snippet! The atmosphere you create always amazes me. Have a great time with the grandguy. Wishing you the best in the new year, Nancy.
ReplyDeleteThat is quite an entrance! Great eerie imagery!
ReplyDeleteHappy IWSG Day, Nancy! I'm making the rounds visiting fellow IWSG members. That is a dramatic and scary introduction to your story. I'm glad I've never been in such a spot ~ I've never had to urinate behind a dumpster and hope I never do. But that's the fun of fiction, isn't it? We get to experience other lives and adventures. Wishing you a happy and successful new year of writing and life!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic snippet. It really drew me in.
ReplyDelete