NaNo Day 5:
Viking-2—2136 words
GWB-Me—277 words

If y’all know me, you are well aware that my characters aren’t made of mush. It takes a lot to knock the stuffing out the man or the woman. I don’t do it often because I’m not an overly sentimental girl myself. That’s not to say that you won’t find emotion, a lot of it, usually best expressed when the characters are at their most vulnerable.

In this excerpt, one of my favorite heroes, Quentin, is made especially vulnerable due to his worry for his mate. I was especially cruel to readers of this story, because while the story starts with Darcy and Quinton, it shifts to others who will join in a hunt for one of their fallen’s killer. I didn’t tell the rest of this couple’s story until book seven.

Here’s a snippet to show you what I’m talking about. It’s from Silver Bullet, the sixth book in the Immortal Knight series.

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He met her at the water’s edge as she returned from her solitary walk, her bare feet sand-encrusted and her steps slow and measured. One hand pressed the small of her back—a disquieting gesture that caused him no small amount of alarm. The purple of dusk was reflected in the circles beneath her beautiful brown eyes.

“Darcy-love, why didn’t you wait?” Quentin Albermarle slipped his arm around his wife’s slender back, not surprised when she leaned into him to share her burden.

“You wouldn’t have enjoyed yourself.” She lifted her head to stare into his eyes, one brow arching in amusement. “I wanted to watch the sunset.”

Her teasing smile warmed his soul. How had he lived before knowing her? Now, he couldn’t remember a night that didn’t begin and end with her. “Well, you have me there,” he said softly. “Sunset’s not something I’d find the least bit pleasant.” He turned her in his arms and settled his chin on the top of her head as his hands circled her stretched-taut belly. “Still, I’d prefer it if someone accompanied you when I can’t be here. It isn’t safe,” he admonished her lazily, enjoying the breeze that lifted her dark hair to float against his chest and the pleasure of her warm body aligned with his. “It’s not like we haven’t enough hirelings to spare one for your walks.”

“I wanted a little alone time and it was light when I started.” She shrugged. “I guess I’m walking a little slow these days.”

Quentin’s jaw clenched at the familiar fear that struck him. Her ordeal wouldn’t be something he could conquer for her. And he suspected the Lamaze classes he’d endured at her insistence were as much for his benefit as hers.
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Psst! The name of yesterday’s winner is at the bottom of this post.

It’s here! That story with the really long title and the hooker heroine! I think you’ll like Jack and Kynan and you’ll for sure want to be Aila. The Parker brothers aren’t perfect guys, but they really go after what they want and need. Grrrrrowl!

Happy Reading! ~DD

Werewolf Aila Mack is ready to get her groove on during a full moon. She’s a part-time hooker because she prefers to keep her liaisons strictly about the sex. She’s had a taste of were-domination and prefers to be in charge of her own destiny.

Brothers Kynan and Jack Parker are on a mission. Their species is in need of breedable females. When the Dark Mountain clan finds a sex agency dealing in female werewolves, they aren’t happy women are selling their bodies in order to take care of their monthly itch. They take action when it’s discovered there’s a fertile female in the agency’s stable.

Kynan and Jack are given the job of bringing home their mate but discover quickly there’s more going on beneath the surface than simply a stubborn female who refuses to be collared. Aila’s tempted as never before, as the brothers, one gentle and one fiercely intense, peel away the hard shell surrounding her Wolfen heart.

Buy it here!

The winner of yesterday’s contest (by random number generator), and pulled from entrants here on this blog and Facebook, is…Valerie in Germany! Congrats, Valerie! Be sure to email me with your choice from my backlisted MIK titles!

If you post a comment today, you’ll be in the running
for a free download of any backlisted Immortal Knight book!
The name of yesterday’s winner is at the bottom of this post.

Well, I’m running out of days to show you all the snippets of wolfdom I have in this series, but here’s another where the were isn’t the good guy. And since you’ve been good, there’s a nasty bit of ménage to wash it down with. 😉

Remember, tomorrow’s the day A Long Howl Good Night releases!

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“…Delilah Devlin is a wonderful author and First Knight is a good example of her amazing skill with the written word. This novella pulls you into the life of Mattie. She is a sweet character with a huge stubborn streak. I love the way she is such a strong woman, she just takes charge of things other people would lose hope about. Garon is a super sexy warrior that is just full of surprises. All the characters come to life with their vivid descriptions. The whole story is full of action. With great sex scenes throughout the entire story. This is a tale of deep, true love with a little something extra! I enjoyed First Knight and think you will too!” 5 Hearts from The Romance Studio

“Delilah Devlin creates a world that effectively meshes the genres of paranormal, romance, and a bit of history into a story that keeps the reader enchanted from beginning to end…” 4 Stones from Siren Book Reviews

“Ms. Devlin gives the readers what they want and so much more. I loved First Knight and it rocked my world.” 5 Angels from Fallen Angels Reviews

While hiding her true identity, Maddie must seduce the mysterious Lord Garon to cement their marriage contract to ensure she won’t be returned into her lecherous stepfather’s care.

Fresh from Crusade in Palestine, Lord Garon has a secret he must hide, a hunger that must be fed, and a dark and uncertain future. Having shed himself of a fiancée he never met, he’s home to lick his wounds. The only thing he wants is a warm-blooded meal—but the new housekeeper is strangely insistent on giving him much more.

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She stared at Garon then glanced at Raymond, whose body was readied for her. His reddened cock thrust straight up from a thatch of dark hair. Every sharpened edge of his body and face reflected a powerful, primitive need.

He was so like her husband. In every way.

Garon didn’t want her to feel guilt for her pleasure. Maddie didn’t want him to worry that she wasn’t grateful for all the thought he’d given to her future happiness. And she certainly didn’t want Raymond thinking there would never be room in her heart for him. She only hoped he’d understand that, for now, Garon held precedence.
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If you post a comment today, you’ll be in the running
for a free download of any backlisted Immortal Knight book!
The name of yesterday’s winner is at the bottom of this post.

I like playing with my heroes. Giving them huge problems to overcome. Alex has two huge problems—how to save his brother Max from his were-clan and how to get the girl who’d loved Max to trust another man.

So along the way he does a couple of unsavory things. You tell me—does he go too far? Read on!

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”You will be shocked, surprised, and crying before you get to the last page.” 5 Angels, Fallen Angel Reviews

“A paranormal experience reader’s won’t soon forget, with very sensual characters and a terrific plot…”4 1/2 Blue Ribbons, Romance Junkies

After the death of one of the members of the super-secret police unit aligned with the Vampire Council in southern Florida, werewolf Max Weir becomes the chief suspect. Sure a greater villain has used a were-clan’s hatred of vamps to strike against the unit, Max travels to the mountains of North Carolina to seek the truth and hopefully renew the centuries-old truce between the weres and vampires.

Alec Weir has a problem on his hands. The new sheriff on Dark Mountain must walk a fine line between upholding were-clan laws and saving his vamp-loving brother from certain death. Alec must find the traitor in the clan responsible for the attack on the vampires or watch his brother die. If that wasn’t enough, his chosen mate, Stasia McGwyre, seems to still hold a candle for Max.

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With his hackles rising, Alec eyed his older brother, barely sparing a glance for the vampire at his side.

Is he so arrogant he thinks I won’t kill Garcia where he stands? Yeah, he knew who the vamp was—he’d shared a beer or two back in the days before Joe joined the fanged brotherhood. Before he’d become “the enemy”. But he could dust the bastard later. Instead, he narrowed his gaze at Max.

What was Max thinking, entering were territory when he’d aligned himself with the other camp? He’d fucked a vamp female and not by accident. He decided to cut him where it hurt. “Put the vamp in the pit,” he growled, looking over Max’s shoulder to his deputies.

“Back off!” Max glared behind him, halting the deputies, then shared a charged glance with his buddy.

That little look riled Alec even more. Max had chosen an enemy over family. “You aren’t in charge here,” he said, his voice low and lethal.

Max’s eyebrows lowered, and his shoulders bunched. “This isn’t about us. This isn’t about The Wars either. It’s bigger, little brother. We’ve come to ask your help.”

Alec’s lips lifted in a snarl. Max’s life was in his hands—and he knew it by his wary stance. The knowledge was gratifying after the way Max had turned on him in Vero when he’d taken the battle into his own hands. But curiosity about Max’s “problem” and the need to prolong the satisfaction had Alec raising a hand to stay the deputies surrounding the two interlopers. “Put them both in the pit.”

Max’s hands curled into fists. “We don’t have time for this shit.”

Alec snorted. “Sure you do.” He nodded to Todd and another deputy who clamped handcuffs to the men’s wrists.

He was disappointed when neither resisted. So rather than stay there and let Max’s frustrated glare undermine his authority, he swept past them and strode down the long aisle to the doors and out into the parking lot.

Darkness had fallen, and a hot breeze stirred the trees.

A pickup turned into the lot, lights arcing, and his body roused instantly—urgent and hard. Stasia.

The driver’s door opened and slammed, and Stasia’s light footsteps slapped the pavement. She drew around the end of the pickup and planted herself in front of him, hands on her hips. Her dark gaze pinned him and fevered color filled her cheeks. “Is it true? Did Max bring a vamp here?”

Alec smothered his irritation she hadn’t bothered to offer him a greeting first before launching a conversation about Max. The oversight only reminded him that once, a long time ago, Stasia had shared his brother’s bed, too. When he’d been top dog.

Alec ran a finger along her cheek, his gaze falling to her mouth and that full upper lip that formed a permanent pout. “Are you asking because you’re curious or because you’re worried about your old boyfriend’s safety?”

She slapped away his hand. “He’s fucking a vamp! What interest would I have in him now?”

Her vehemence sounded a little forced to his ears. Alec gripped her upper arms and dragged her close, bending to glide his lips along her cheek. “I don’t know. Why are you so hot about it?”

She stiffened. “I’m not. I just can’t believe he’d be so stupid.”

“Forget Max. Run with me tonight,” he whispered.
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If you post a comment today, you’ll be in the running
for a free download of any backlisted Immortal Knight book!
The name of yesterday’s winner is at the bottom of this post.

In case you didn’t know, I have this whole My Immortal Knight series with Ellora’s Cave. My first MIK book sold in 2003, and I’ve been lazily adding to it as I go—in between a whole lot of other books. I can’t get away from the MIKs, because I love them so much.

The second of the MIK books that highlighted werewolves was Relentless. It’s one of my favorite stories because the hero is so very intense, so completely alpha. You’ll see what I mean.

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“RELENTLESS has suspense, intrigue, and surprises that grab your attention and never let you go until the last page.” 5 Stars from JERR

“A wickedly funny and passionate series, fans of paranormal erotic romance will enjoy RELENTLESS tremendously. Ms Devlin has done it again!” Romance Reviews Today

To supercop Max Weir, the only good vampire is a dead one. Since his special police unit integrated with vampires, he’s had to suppress his natural hatred to work side-by-side with the undead to hunt down and terminate the deadliest killers. Now the unit is hot on the trail of a new menace in town, a pack of werewolves prowling for vampires, who don’t care whether humans get in their way.

When a stakeout goes awry, Max enters a bar looking for a fight or a woman to help him blow off a little steam. What he finds is a winsome siren who has sexual appetites to match his own.

Vampire Pia D’Amato is on a secret mission to take out Max—either by seduction or by turning him. He’s become a liability to the Masters’ Council setting up jurisdiction in southern Florida, and she isn’t leaving until she’s done the job. But Max is more man than she bargained for and has a deadly secret of his own.

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Max pushed through the door of the bar determined that tonight he’d either get shit-faced or fucked. Which, didn’t matter. So long as he could blow off the steam that had been gathering a head since the botched mission hours before. The bar was a regular haunt—only a block from his house. If need be, he could crawl home. The smoky air, the loud grinding music, and the smell of stale beer appealed when he had an axe to grind.

The SU had swept the area for signs of the wolves that killed the vampires before turning on the humans in a mutilating frenzy. Their bloody paw prints led beyond the house to a gravel road where they’d disappeared. The pack had made their getaway in cars. This hadn’t been a roaming band’s target of opportunity, but a takedown.

The grim faces of the vampires telegraphed their worry. He hoped they were shaking in their boots. Not that the thought of a rogue wolf pack wasn’t just as unsettling to Max.

But seeing the cocksure Quentin lose his perpetual smirk was gratifying. Dylan had been grim-faced and pale. Perhaps the bastard saw his own fate in the house.

However, Joe’s silence had been the most telling. He hadn’t looked the least bit surprised.

Max made his way through the tables ringing a small dance floor. The place was nearly empty, save for the men hovering near the bar for the night’s last drinks. The tension in his shoulders knotted tighter. All it would take would be one smart-ass comment. He hungered for an excuse to drive his fist through something.

The crowd parted, and a flash of a slim white ankle snagged his attention. Every trace of anger, bitter regret, and frustration coalesced into a single, burning need.

The men blocking his view shifted, and the ankle drew his glance upward to a bare knee. The woman’s legs parted, and one slid atop the other. Her foot sawed up and down, and a slender, functionless sandal dangled from the tips of her painted toes. God, he wanted to help her lose the shoes altogether.

He advanced toward the men standing between him and his goal. Their faces registered annoyance for only a moment before they stepped aside. The hard hunger that rode his belly must have turned his face into an implacable mask.

As he drew near, her shape was revealed one tantalizing curve at a time. Sweetly turned hips were clothed in a stretchy black skirt that ended at the top of her thighs—not a hint of underwear marred the smooth fit. Conveniently tied behind her neck, a miniscule top bared the gleaming, supple skin of her back and midriff—again, no sign of a bra. Her nipples puckered invitingly against the black fabric that barely contained the apple-like curves of her small breasts.

Finally, his gaze rose to her face. She could have been a whole lot less than appetizing, and he’d still have wanted her on the merits of that ride-able frame. But her face only made him more determined to have her.

Large, doe-like eyes, framed by thick lashes, blinked as she caught his stare. Her upper lip was a fraction fuller than the lower and inspired delicious, succulent fantasies. Her face was round, her jaw small, and a thumbprint dimple carved her chin into two delicious halves. His tongue itched to slide along that little notch.

As he reached the bar, he drew a deep breath, eager to catch the scent of her perfume. He wasn’t disappointed. The woman smelled like sex. Hot, nasty, spicy sex.
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If you post a comment today, you’ll be in the running
for a free download of any backlisted Immortal Knight book!

Rather than whine again today about my lack of progress with my current book, I’m going to start getting you revved up for the new book coming your way on October 27th. It’s set in the Immortal Knights’ universe—a werewolf story featuring wolves from Dark Mountain, North Carolina.

Since I have four days, I thought I might remind you of furry highlights from books past. This first excerpt is from All Knight Long, originally published in March 2004.

(Psst! For those of you waiting on pressies in the mail, I do have a few more prize packages to prep for mailing, but I’m almost done!)

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“Vampires, werewolves, and babies — oh, my! ALL KNIGHT LONG is a sensual and thrilling ride into the world of the paranormal.” Romance Review Today

A member of an elite police unit sworn to hunt vampires, Joe Garcia’s life is turned upside down when he’s transformed into one. On a quest for a cure, his search brings him to New Orleans in a last ditch effort to recover his humanity.

Professor Lily Carlson, a renowned expert in vampire lore, has a “condition” of her own. Her sexual libido has been in hyper-drive for months. Her only defense is to hide behind her glasses and tweed suits and stay as far away from men as possible. However, she’s thrilled to discover vampires really do exist when Joe shows up on her balcony.

Although Joe deflects her attempts to make him a case study and confirm a few vampire statistics, he is drawn by her powerful allure. When werewolves join the chase and track her through New Orleans, Joe’s cop instincts tell him there’s a mystery to solve. Intent on protecting her, he must seek help from the last vampire on Earth he wants to ask. While his hopes for deliverance from his fate dwindle, Lily’s life is forever altered by an unexpected “inheritance”.

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“Now, Miss Lily. I would read your cards.” Madame Leveque slid the deck across the table toward her.

Joe slid from the chair and held it out for Lily. Lily sat and carefully shuffled the deck, before handing it back to the old woman. Joe placed his hands on Lily’s shoulders and he felt some of her tension ease.

Again, Madame drew three cards. As soon as the first was turned, all three people leaning over the table laughed.

“The Queen of Wands! Appropriate, non? A woman of passion and energy. You are fond of nature—wild things, yet you are practical.”

The second card brought the tension back. A man dangled by his foot from a rope that hung in the air.

“The Hanged Man. Dis indicates you’ll experience suspense and change. There may be sacrifice for great gain, or a search for inner truth. A change in point of view may be needed.”

“But what does that mean?” Lily asked.

Madame settled back in her chair and folded her hands on her stomach. “Your choices have brought you to dis point. Now it is up to you to gain wisdom from your search for truth.”

Lily shook her head, but Joe squeezed her shoulders. He wanted to see the next card.

Madame’s hands remained on her belly and she smiled at Lily. “Turn the next one, my dear.”

Lily reached a tentative hand to the card, and Joe had to smile. For all her professions of belief in empirical proof, she was enthralled. She flipped the card.

A beautiful woman blended two bowls of water into a single stream.

“It is called ‘The Star’ and represents the blending of the past and present. An awareness and acceptance of two worlds.” Madame glanced pointedly between Lily and Joe.

Feeling a little mesmerized, Joe murmured, “Thanks, Madame.”

She nodded her acceptance, and then swept her hand toward the sofa. “Please, take a seat and we’ll talk. “

Joe held his hope in check and sat down. Dragging a hand through his hair, he tried to figure out a place to begin.

“Joe wants to be human again.”
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In case you hadn’t heard, I have a free book that you, the readers, are helping me plot. You tell me what you want to have happen next, and I write it. Chapter 4 is finished and ready for you to enjoy. Follow the link at the bottom of this post to my Free Story page and click on the chapter links to read them all.

Enjoy! And while you read, be thinking of what you’d like to see happen next to my intrepid heroine, DiDi Devereaux. Very soon, I’ll be asking for your suggestions for what’s next in Chapter 5. If an idea occurs to you while you’re reading now, be sure to post that idea in the comments.

Comment anyway to let me know how your story is going so far. 😉 ~DD

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On a whim, romance author DiDi Devereaux decides to travel to remote Louisiana bayou country to take possession of a house she inherited from a reclusive relative. But before she reaches her destination, she drives her car into a ditch to avoid a large animal that leaps into her path. Rescue comes in the form of a sexy sheriff, whose gruff demeanor seems to hide a feral attraction. As DiDi settles into her new home she finds herself torn between her attraction to the sheriff and the raw, handsome bad boy whose offer to help her renovate her home is a little too convenient and tempting.

Nothing in Bayou Noir is what it seems. When strange things begin to happen, her natural curiosity leads her into danger…

Read the first four chapters