Dead Girls Don’t Sing
The Undead Space Initiative
Book Two
Casey Wyatt
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Time Travel
Publisher: Casey Wyatt
Date of Publication: 12/18/17
ISBN: 978-1979982078
ASIN: B07846RFWP
Number of pages: 338
Word Count: 93,000
Cover Artist: Kim Killion Designs
Tagline: Time will have its way
Book Description:
When former vampire stripper Cherry Cordial settled on Mars with her undead family, she thought she’d left her chaotic past behind her. After finding her mate and becoming the first vampire to give birth, she’s hoping to lead a drama-free life.
Naturally, the universe has a different plan. When mysterious undead space travelers arrive, an ancient Martian plague is released, infecting the undead. To find the cure she must return to Earth. All she needs to do is travel into the past, confront her own tangled history, and not break the space-time continuum. But if Cherry’s learned anything, it’s that her life is never that easy.
Excerpt:
Tiny pokers stabbed
my eyes.
my eyes.
Another body,
warm and hard, spooned against my backside.
warm and hard, spooned against my backside.
Ian always felt
so good, comforting and real.
so good, comforting and real.
His hand wrapped
around my waist, cupping the underside of my breast. A cool sheet slid off my
bare shoulder.
around my waist, cupping the underside of my breast. A cool sheet slid off my
bare shoulder.
I was naked and
in bed. A snippet of memory interrupted my appreciation of my husband’s hand.
in bed. A snippet of memory interrupted my appreciation of my husband’s hand.
Wasn’t I running
from something . . .?
from something . . .?
Fingers trailed
along my spine, heading south. The touch was wrong, unfamiliar and rough.
along my spine, heading south. The touch was wrong, unfamiliar and rough.
Hold on. That
wasn’t Ian. I shouldn’t feel the warmth of sun against my skin either. We lived
on Mars, where it was colder than a witch’s tit.
wasn’t Ian. I shouldn’t feel the warmth of sun against my skin either. We lived
on Mars, where it was colder than a witch’s tit.
If not Ian, then
who was touching my inner thigh?
who was touching my inner thigh?
My eyelids
snapped open like a shade on a spring. Bolting upright, I bared my fangs and
grabbed the man’s wrist.
snapped open like a shade on a spring. Bolting upright, I bared my fangs and
grabbed the man’s wrist.
Oh, holy hell. I
was in bed with another man. I rolled away and slammed into a different body.
Shit, make that two other men. Two eye-poppingly gorgeous men.
was in bed with another man. I rolled away and slammed into a different body.
Shit, make that two other men. Two eye-poppingly gorgeous men.
Hey, I might be
dead, but I’m not dead dead.
dead, but I’m not dead dead.
“Mistress? Have
I displeased you?” said the man whose wrist I was about to shatter. Stunning
blue-gray eyes. Dark stubble lined his chiseled jawline. His dark hair was
mussed and complimented his swarthy skin tone. Dried blood smeared his neck. A
red trail led to puncture marks.
I displeased you?” said the man whose wrist I was about to shatter. Stunning
blue-gray eyes. Dark stubble lined his chiseled jawline. His dark hair was
mussed and complimented his swarthy skin tone. Dried blood smeared his neck. A
red trail led to puncture marks.
The other man’s
brown muscled chest rose and fell in rhythmic sleep. His body was fully exposed
on the white sheet. Puncture marks lined his neck, his groin and his very erect
penis.
brown muscled chest rose and fell in rhythmic sleep. His body was fully exposed
on the white sheet. Puncture marks lined his neck, his groin and his very erect
penis.
My cheeks heated
like a furnace. Clearly, we’d had a good time.
like a furnace. Clearly, we’d had a good time.
“No. Leave me.
Both of you go to your rooms.” I dropped his wrist. The man woke his drowsing
companion, and they left as I’d commanded.
Both of you go to your rooms.” I dropped his wrist. The man woke his drowsing
companion, and they left as I’d commanded.
Damn. I wished I
could get the other men in my life to be so compliant.
could get the other men in my life to be so compliant.
Other men? There
were other people important to me. Why couldn’t I remember them?
were other people important to me. Why couldn’t I remember them?
I’d kill Jonathan
if he was messing with my mind again.
if he was messing with my mind again.
But yet... that
idea didn’t feel right.
idea didn’t feel right.
Somewhere in a
dead corner of my memory, this moment seemed familiar. Jonathan, sensing my
unhappiness with our “arrangement,” had spent the early years of our relationship
attempting to please me.
dead corner of my memory, this moment seemed familiar. Jonathan, sensing my
unhappiness with our “arrangement,” had spent the early years of our relationship
attempting to please me.
This must have
been my slut phase, where we’d bring home gorgeous men and I would feast and
fuck while he watched. I enjoyed knowing it bothered him that I wouldn’t sleep
with him. Only the mortals that we found in gaming dens, brothels, even at
society events. The only other thing I would take from Jonathan besides his
money was his blood, and only out of necessity.
been my slut phase, where we’d bring home gorgeous men and I would feast and
fuck while he watched. I enjoyed knowing it bothered him that I wouldn’t sleep
with him. Only the mortals that we found in gaming dens, brothels, even at
society events. The only other thing I would take from Jonathan besides his
money was his blood, and only out of necessity.
Fucking hell.
Ian’s go-to phrase—I remembered him now—helped resurface the reason why I was
reliving this not-so-proud moment in my past.
Ian’s go-to phrase—I remembered him now—helped resurface the reason why I was
reliving this not-so-proud moment in my past.
The plague. The
Lost Ship. The time stream. My daughter.
Lost Ship. The time stream. My daughter.
Oh, dear God. I
hoped she was safe.
hoped she was safe.
“Good morning,
my pet.” Jonathan read a page of the morning newspaper while sipping tea from a
dainty cup. He sat on the balcony situated outside my bedroom. From his vantage
point, he could view the bed and my doings in Technicolor glory.
my pet.” Jonathan read a page of the morning newspaper while sipping tea from a
dainty cup. He sat on the balcony situated outside my bedroom. From his vantage
point, he could view the bed and my doings in Technicolor glory.
My heart lurched
at the sight of his arrogant beauty. I had forgotten how full of life he’d
been, especially in this time period. And, oh, how handsome he was. His raven
hair glossy with blue highlights sparkled in the early morning sunshine. The
strong line of his jaw and perfect Roman nose coupled with full lips made it
hard not to stare at him. He hadn’t yet acquired the weariness that having a
Family would place on him.
at the sight of his arrogant beauty. I had forgotten how full of life he’d
been, especially in this time period. And, oh, how handsome he was. His raven
hair glossy with blue highlights sparkled in the early morning sunshine. The
strong line of his jaw and perfect Roman nose coupled with full lips made it
hard not to stare at him. He hadn’t yet acquired the weariness that having a
Family would place on him.
In later years,
after much bitterness between us, I no longer saw him anymore. The beauty was
tarnished, and we became as passionate as two coworkers passing the time until
their shift ended. He had become someone I had to endure rather than enjoy. Not
that I ever really “enjoyed” him because of the circumstances surrounding our
sham marriage.
after much bitterness between us, I no longer saw him anymore. The beauty was
tarnished, and we became as passionate as two coworkers passing the time until
their shift ended. He had become someone I had to endure rather than enjoy. Not
that I ever really “enjoyed” him because of the circumstances surrounding our
sham marriage.
The horrid image
of his death, when he’d knelt, offering Thalia his head, shattered the peaceful
moment. With a plaintive look, he commanded that I accept his fate and mine. We
both knew that Thalia, the dead queen’s heir apparent, was a vindictive bitch.
She blamed me for her mother’s death and Jonathan refused to bow down to her.
So, he did what he always did. He protected his Family by sacrificing himself
so we could escape. In his last moments, regret had filled his eyes. The wish
that we could have been different together had been silenced forever.
of his death, when he’d knelt, offering Thalia his head, shattered the peaceful
moment. With a plaintive look, he commanded that I accept his fate and mine. We
both knew that Thalia, the dead queen’s heir apparent, was a vindictive bitch.
She blamed me for her mother’s death and Jonathan refused to bow down to her.
So, he did what he always did. He protected his Family by sacrificing himself
so we could escape. In his last moments, regret had filled his eyes. The wish
that we could have been different together had been silenced forever.
Seeing Jonathan
again and remembering was worse than reopening a wound and rubbing salt in it
with a lemon juice chaser. If only I could apologize to him for how awful I’d
been. I hadn’t been blameless in wrecking our relationship. I could have tried
harder to accept my fate instead of punishing him at every turn.
again and remembering was worse than reopening a wound and rubbing salt in it
with a lemon juice chaser. If only I could apologize to him for how awful I’d
been. I hadn’t been blameless in wrecking our relationship. I could have tried
harder to accept my fate instead of punishing him at every turn.
The temptation
to blurt out the truth bubbled inside, until I had to force myself to look away
from him. Would this Jonathan be willing to help me? Or would he use my current
predicament to his advantage?
to blurt out the truth bubbled inside, until I had to force myself to look away
from him. Would this Jonathan be willing to help me? Or would he use my current
predicament to his advantage?
No. I couldn’t,
wouldn’t chance it. Not with the entire colony’s lives hanging in the balance.
wouldn’t chance it. Not with the entire colony’s lives hanging in the balance.
Would’ve,
Could’ve, Should’ve. Sew it on a patch and you’d have my life’s motto.
Could’ve, Should’ve. Sew it on a patch and you’d have my life’s motto.
Yup. Regrets
sucked.
sucked.
Jonathan placed
the teacup down and smiled. “Did you enjoy yourself? You seemed a bit surprised
when you awoke.”
the teacup down and smiled. “Did you enjoy yourself? You seemed a bit surprised
when you awoke.”
Surprise didn’t
cover how I felt. That word was too puny, too inadequate. After a few seconds,
I found my voice again.
cover how I felt. That word was too puny, too inadequate. After a few seconds,
I found my voice again.
“Yes, we had a
good time. Thank you.” It sure looked that way.
good time. Thank you.” It sure looked that way.
He acted like
finding his wife in bed with other men was no big deal. It wasn’t like I would
keep them. To him they were more like pets or meals with legs.
finding his wife in bed with other men was no big deal. It wasn’t like I would
keep them. To him they were more like pets or meals with legs.
But now, with a
century of wisdom tucked under my belt, instead of relishing in his annoyance,
I realized something. He was sad. With himself or me, I wasn’t sure. And it
didn’t matter. I had a mission to accomplish. A future to save.
century of wisdom tucked under my belt, instead of relishing in his annoyance,
I realized something. He was sad. With himself or me, I wasn’t sure. And it
didn’t matter. I had a mission to accomplish. A future to save.
About the Author:
Casey Wyatt grew up in a mid-size Connecticut town where nothing exciting ever happened. To stem the boredom, she read fantasy and sci-fi stories, imagining her own adventures in her head. Not much has changed since she’s grown up, only now she's a multi-published author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy novels. In her spare time, she loves all things geeky, hangs out in museums, and collects stray cats.
Visit Casey on the web: www.caseywyatt.com. You can also find Casey on Facebook and Twitter (@CaseyWyatt1).
To receive advance notice about new releases and special sales, subscribe to Casey's Newsletter at www.caseywyatt.com
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Enjoyed the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThanks Becky! It was a fun story to write :o)
DeleteThe book sounds very intriguing, thank you for the reveal!
ReplyDeleteHi Nikolina. Happy Friday!
DeleteI'm loving the excerpt, I'm definitely going to have to read this one! I would love to know how many cats you have?
ReplyDeleteHi Sally! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed the excerpt.
DeleteAs to the cats - at the moment I have seven! One of the cats actually belongs to my son's girlfriend. We took her cat in temporarily while she did a semester in the Disney Intern program. We haven't given her back yet!
I frequently post pictures of them on my Facebook profile https://www.facebook.com/casey.wyatt.37
How about you? Any cats? Or other animals?
Wow 7 cats is a whole alot of fun! I have 4 cats, 1 dog and 1 guinea pig. Thank you so much for your reply and my cats love the laundry too :)
DeleteWhat writers have inspired you?
ReplyDeleteHi Becky,
DeleteI've been reading since I could hold a book in my hand. As a kid, I was influenced by JRR Tolkien, Roald Dahl, Robin McKinley (I read Beauty like a thousand times!) and Judy Blume. As a writer, I am very fortunate to have awesome writing friends who inspire me to reach higher. The romance community is wonderful!
I love the excerpt
ReplyDeleteThanks Karrie! Thank you for leaving a comment and stopping by!
DeleteI love all I have read so far, and I am so excited to read this book. (jozywails@gmail.com)
ReplyDeleteThanks Misty! It's nice to hear you've enjoyed the excerpt. During the tour, the first book- Dead Girls Don't Cry is only .99 cents. You don't need to read the first book but it's just as fun! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWhat book(s) are you reading at present?
ReplyDeleteI usually have several books going at once. At the moment, I've been reading a lot of non-fiction. I'm reading A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived by Adam Rutherford. I just finished Volume 10 of Yona of the Dawn (love this series) and for fiction I just started Warriors of Seneca by Corrina Lawson. How about you? What do you like to read?
DeleteI enjoyed the excerpt sounds like a really great book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Teresa!
DeleteHow did your cover come about?
ReplyDeleteI collaborated with Kim Killion Designs. I sent her images that I liked for three covers and my idea for how they should look. She took that information and made magic! There is one more cover yet to be revealed for Dead Girls Don't Lose ( a book I still have to write, btw).
DeleteMusic or silence while writing?
ReplyDeleteAmbient background noise while writing or silence. Music when plotting.
DeleteDo you prefer e-books or print books?
ReplyDeleteI generally stick to e-books these days. Largely because I have an enormous collection of print books taking over my house. Still, I do occasionally buy print too. I can't resist books in any format.
DeleteGreat excerpt and a sexy cover. Thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWhat do you think of trailers for books?
ReplyDeleteI'm neutral. As a reader, I don't seek them out but I have seen some fun ones come across my path.
DeleteWhat advice would you give to aspiring writers?
ReplyDeleteBe persistent and write as much as you can. Write even when you think it sucks and understand that learning the craft of storytelling is a never-ending process. One book that has helped me is Story Genius by Lisa Cron and K.M. Weiland's plotting books. Also, joining a professional organization like Romance Writers of America has provided me with invaluable industry and self-publishing information. My local chapter -CTRWA - has also been a huge asset. Plus, it's nice to make friends with other writers who understand in ways that your friends and family can't.
ReplyDeleteWho is the greatest influence in your writing career?
ReplyDeleteDo you have a favorite character in the book(s) you have written?
ReplyDeleteDoes writing energize or exhaust you?
ReplyDeleteAnswers in order:
ReplyDelete1. Greatest influence - as previously mentioned, my fellow writers.
2. Yes, in a sense they all are favorites so it's hard to choose one. But my all time favorite character is in a book that isn't completed yet but I hope to circle back to it in 2019.
3. Writing is energizing when it's going well and tiresome when it's a slog to get words on the page.
Do you try to be original or do you deliver what the readers want?
ReplyDeleteI write what I like to read. Writing to the marketplace just doesn't work for me.
DeleteWhat was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
ReplyDeleteHmm. Probably Scrivener and Vellum. They both make my life a lot easier.
DeleteHow many unpublished/half finished books do you have?
ReplyDeleteHow do you select the names of your characters?
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the character. Cherry Cordial came to me fully named. Other times, I have to try out names before I find the right fit.
ReplyDeleteThanks for answering my questions. I love finding out about authors.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! It was fun answering them :o)
DeleteDoes your family support your career as a writer?
ReplyDeleteThey do. My kids have learned to respect my writing time. I do have a full time job so I have to use my time effectively. Hubby already knows - Happy wife, happy life. LOL!
DeleteWhat lessons have you learned as a writer?
ReplyDeleteLearning the craft of writing never stops. And that the longer you write, the less you feel you know. It's also taught me to persevere and that only through failure can lessons be learned. There is luck and timing with publication but if you never finish a book then get it out there, you can't succeed.
DeleteWhich books do you like to read?
ReplyDelete