I am excited to welcome author Kate SeRine, who is sharing an exclusive excerpt from her new novel, Along Came a Spider.
When Trish Muffet is attacked at a grisly crime scene, the last person she expects to come to her rescue is Nicky “Little Boy” Blue. But since walking away from everything two years before, Nicky’s been doling out vigilante justice as “The Spider,” taking on the vicious predators of the night in hopes it’ll lead him to his ultimate target – Vlad Dracula. And he needs Trish’s help.
Although Nicky’s renegade style goes against everything Trish stands for, she’ll do what she must to bring Dracula down. With danger stalking her, Trish knows the only person she can count on is the one man who has the power to leave her breathless. There’s no way she’s letting this spider frighten her away…
Make sure you stick around to the end. We’ll be giving away 5 ebooks of Along Came a Spider.
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Excerpt: Along Came a Spider
“Just humor me.”
Nicky was dressed now in black jeans and a black T-shirt that showed off a little too clearly the bulge of his biceps as he sat on the edge of Juliet’s bed, forearms resting on his thighs, hands clasped, while he watched me rummage through Juliet’s things looking for something to wear besides workout clothes.
“There’s nothing to tell,” I called over my shoulder, digging through the dresser drawers and finding lots of shorty-shorts that were so not going to cut it. I wasn’t about to go traipsing around Chicago in the middle of February with my ass hanging out. Check that. I wasn’t going to go traipsing around Chicago at any time of year with my ass hanging out.
“I wake up and find you curled up in my arms,” Nicky drawled, “and you mean to tell me nothing happened? I didn’t even kiss you or anything?”
“Nope,” I said, somehow managing it without adding a disappointed sigh. I could feel his pointed stare at my back and turned around to face him, leaning against the dresser and crossing my arms. “All we did was talk. I swear.”
“I remember the talking part, doll. I just want to make sure I didn’t drink so much that I missed anything else. It’s bad enough I missed out on the hours when I was sleeping.”
Flushing, and wishing like hell that I had more to report, I turned back to my search, jerking open another drawer and quickly rifling through it.
“I can’t believe I didn’t even try to kiss you,” he mused.
I clamped down on my back teeth to keep from screaming. “Try.”
Obviously not picking up on my irritation, he continued to mull it over aloud. “I mean, you were sitting there in that little pink bathrobe looking so adorable—”
Adorable? Perfect.
“—what with the cute little curls . . .”
Cute? Cute?!? Fucking curls.
“I really didn’t even try to put the moves on you?”
“Okay,” I said, so beyond tired of talking about how he hadn’t kissed me, “this isn’t going to work. I’m going to need to go back to my apartment and find something to wear before we do anything else.”
He frowned. “You sure that’s a good idea? What about dragging Nate or a priest along?”
“Going to have to risk it,” I insisted. “I’m just not going to find what I need here.” And at this point I’d rather face off against a hundred angry phantoms than continue this particular line of conversation. . . .
“There’s gotta be something you can wear.”
“Let’s face it, Nicky,” I said, “I’m five foot four and have cleavage. I’m not exactly the supermodel material your wife was.”
His even gaze met mine. “You are to me.”
My breath caught in my chest as I blinked at him, wondering if he was joking, but there was no sign of humor lurking in his eyes. “Thanks,” I finally managed softly.
He gave me a tight nod, then stood and put his hands on his hips. He dropped his eyes to the carpet for a moment, then finally looked back up at me from under those long dark lashes of his, devastating me all over again. “Listen, I really am sorry about last night,” he said, running his hand through his hair. “I don’t usually drink like that. Seriously, if I made a total ass of myself—”
“You didn’t,” I interrupted with a laugh. “You were a perfect gentleman.” Damn it all . . .
For a split second he looked as disappointed as I felt, but then he gave a nod. “All right then. So, whaddaya say we get outta here? I’ll buy you something to eat on the way to your apartment.”
I narrowed my eyes. “And coffee? My coffee habit’s almost as bad as Red’s, you know.”
He inclined his head in agreement. “Coffee it is.”
I gave him a terse, satisfied nod and started for the door, but he grabbed my arm as I passed. “Trish . . .” he began, his expression oddly tortured. Then his face cleared and he winked at me, giving one of my curls a playful tug, but the smile that came next was a little sad. “You know, it’ll be strange not having to sneak into your apartment anymore now that the jig is up.”
I laughed, appreciating his attempt to lighten the mood a little. “Yeah, well, Spider, I’m sure you can find some other unsuspecting gal’s apartment to break into. I hear Sleeping Beauty just moved into a new high-rise—might be a challenge.”
“Ah, but you’ve got it all wrong,” he said, casually draping his arm around my shoulders as if it was the most natural thing in the world, and leading me from the room. “The challenge was never the building but the gal inside.”
I sent a sidelong glance his way, a tentative little spark of hope springing to life in the center of my chest.
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Meet Kate SeRine!
Kate SeRine (pronounced “serene”) faithfully watched weekend monster movie marathons while growing up, each week hoping that maybe this time the creature du jour would get the girl. But every week she was disappointed. So when she began writing her own stories, Kate vowed that her characters would always have a happily ever after. And, thus, her love for paranormal romance was born.
Kate is a member of Romance Writers of America and of Indiana RWA and has been a finalist in the Fire and Ice Contest (2010), the Finally a Bride Contest (2010), and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence (2013), and is the recipient of The Emily (2012) and the National Readers Choice Award (2013). She is represented by Nicole Resciniti with the Seymour Agency.
Contact Info
Website: website
Blog: Blog
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
Want to purchase Kate’s novels?
Along Came a Spider
The Better to See You
RED
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Contest Time!
Thank you Kate for taking the time to stop by Literary Escapism!
Kate is giving away 5 ebooks of Along Came a Spider. To enter, all you have to do is answer this one question: What do you think happened last night between Nicky and Trish or are you believing Trish when she says nothing happened? Remember, you must answer the question in order to be entered.
Even though I’m not giving the additional entries any more, you can still help support the author by sharing their article, and this contest, on your blog, Twitter, Facebook, or anywhere you can. After all, the more people who are aware of this fabulous author ensures we get more fabulous stories.
The winner must post a review of the novel someplace. Whether it is on their own blog, Amazon, GoodReads, LibraryThing or wherever, it doesn’t matter. Just help get the word out.
The contest will stay open until August 31st at which time I’ll determine the winner with help from this snazzy plug-in that I have.
I love these books. I think I read each one in a day! Cant wait for the next to come out!
After seeing how frustrated Trish was I believe her. She seemed really irritated that he didnt try anything. And very annoyed that he thought she was just cute lol.
I believe Trish… Of course, that’s not to say that I don’t believe that “something” doesn’t happen later!!!!!!
Thanks for the contest!
I believe Trish (poor girl), she was totally disappointed. Love this series, development of the characters is awesome.
Poor Trish, I don’t think anything happens as she seems way too disappointed. Hopefully, though, something will happen soon. Nicky is adorable. Great excerpt.
what a fun excerpt! I loved Red… I can’t believe that I’ve fallen behind on this series! I believe Trish that nothing happened… she doesn’t seem like she could fib very well :)
Ha! I am really going to like Trish and Nicky ;) I think they were both do doggone tired they crashed after a moment of shared vulnerability and underneath they both want more. Definitely believe Trish. Thank you for the fun snippet, I got emotionally involved right from the start – that is a biggy for me.
@ZDz59001
I believe Trish. There comes a point and I think Trish is at it.