I couldn’t leave my “By Moonlight” world behind without giving more page time to my favorite dark hero – Cale Terriot. If there’s a Guilt Club for Men, he’s the founding member. The runt of the litter of twelve princes born to a ruthless king, he had the most to prove – to his father, his family, his unrequited love, but mostly to himself. He’s a man with a plan – to provide a better world for the next generation than the one he grew up in. Drawn beyond his clan’s secluded Lake Tahoe compound by the threats facing their shapeshifter kind, he partners with the leaders in New Orleans. To stop a dangerous Shifter designer drug flooding the Quarter by those in the North who seek to control them, Cale enters a deadly underground Shifter fight club where he fears losing his soul to darkness more than his life or his love. Here’s a peek at drives him . . .
Next week, I’ll give equal time to Cale’s queen, Kendra. This shy innocent has matured since PRINCE OF SHADOWS, coming into her own to protect her love from his own demons. Enjoy this glimpse into UNLEASHED BY SHADOWS . . .
His debt, his burden, his to carry and complete alone. No whining about the costs to body, heart or soul. No crying over what couldn’t be changed or repaired. No shirking from sacrifices sure to cost more than he’d ever thought to wager. The blood on his hands would never come clean. There was no forgiveness for his sins—the sins of the father now those of the son. He was lost but he wouldn’t drag those he loved and respected down with him, not while he still had strength and breath and opportunity.
He couldn’t save his people hiding on their mountain top. He couldn’t purge his guilt without a willingness to surrender his life.
And he couldn’t protect his mate if he couldn’t provide her with his heir.
I, for one, am thrilled to welcome the quixotic month of March, that tease. One day winter, one day spring, always unexpected yet the harbinger of better things to come . . . at last.
Happy approaching Spring, fellow Warriors, and Happy Writing!
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Always intrigued by the way you reveal your stories. Best of good luck always.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Charmaine!
DeleteThat is one helluva pep talk! :)
ReplyDeleteHe needs one to accomplish what he has to . . . at least in his own mind.
DeleteThe last line came as a surprise. At least he has one life-affirming goal to work toward!
ReplyDeleteThe one thing he hangs on to where he sees a future for himself.
DeleteHe does have a heavy load to carry for sure. Excellent excerpt...
ReplyDeleteStrong shoulders for that heavy load of guilt.
DeleteHe has a lot on his plate. Great snippet. The last line surprised me as something he'd have to accomplish.
ReplyDeleteNot like that's a real chore to put on the To Do list. But it is a real worry.
DeleteHe definitely carries a lot on his shoulders. An intriguing snippet!
ReplyDeleteThey're broad but bending under the weight.
DeleteI love him already! You always have such deliciously complex heroes.
ReplyDeleteThat's what makes a book worth all the trouble it takes to get it written.
DeleteHis guilt doesn't seem to freeze him, which is great. He knows what needs to be done, and I'll bet he does his best to do it.
ReplyDeleteOne line in your intro struck me: "secluded Lake Tahoe compound." I've only been there a couple times, but it struck me as being more "downtown at peak rush hour" than secluded. With all those mountains, though, I suppose there must be hidden nooks and valleys.
When my friends and I did a round about, there were those nooks and crannies that intrigued me - those gated drives and helicopter pads of the rich. The populated areas are very touristy but there are still wilds to be had - if you look and imagine.
DeleteThe poor guy. He does have the weight of the world on his shoulders!
ReplyDeleteHappy approaching spring to you! I fear that March might be the snowiest part of our winter here in western PA. Currently getting 3 to 6 inches in a fast moving storm. :-)
Good things they're wide and he'll eventually realize he doesn't have to carry all of it alone. Oh, yeah - you poor PA folks have not been spared this winter. Dig in - hopefully it'll pass soon.
DeleteGreat snippet!! He's so overburdened.
ReplyDeleteAnd doesn't know how to ask for help carrying it - a bad combination.
DeleteDon't mind me, I'm just gonna sit here and dreamily think about Cale and his inner turmoil...
ReplyDeleteDon't let me interrupt you . . .
DeleteHe's got quite a burden. Runt of the litter trying to live up to the examples set by his big brothers. Great snippet.
ReplyDelete