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Author Name: M.A. Church
Book Name: Behind the Eight Ball
Series: Fur, Fangs, and Felines
Book: Two
Can be read as a standalone, but book one does give information about one of the MCs.
Release Date: October 30, 2015
Blurb:
A cool morning, a yard full of birds, and a kitty on a mission. What more could a werecat want? Beta Heller Wirth has it all, except a mate—a shifter mate, that is. The last thing he wants is one of those dangerous humans who kill without remorse. Heller knows about that firsthand. So what does the goddess Bast do? She gives Heller exactly what he does not want—a human: business owner Lawson Dupre.
Lawson hasn’t a clue what just happened in his car detail shop. One minute a cute client is about to pass out, then he perks up and starts flirting. Next thing, he runs out the door like the hounds of hell are after him. Learning that Heller is a werecat doesn’t freak out Lawson. He happens to be one of those rare humans who knows paranormals exists. He even lives with one. Watch the fur fly as Heller and Lawson battle hurt feelings, misguided beliefs, and a power shift in Heller’s clowder.
Pages or Words: 76,000 words
Categories: Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Paranormal, Romance
Excerpt:
Step.
Step.
Stop.
The rustling of dead leaves caught my attention, and I froze with one paw still in the air. Not moving and barely daring to breathe, I waited. My whiskers twitched as a cool October breeze disturbed the scent of decaying leaves and rich soil. The foliage trembled again as something rooted around.
I slowly lowered my paw. The disturbance wasn’t very noticeable except to my predatory gaze. The movement continued. Gradually, bit by bit, I crept forward, making sure my long fur didn’t disturb the surrounding mounds of dying leaves. It was times like these I wished my coat were short like Dolf’s. One thing was for sure—whatever was below those leaves was going to be mine shortly. All I needed was to cover a little more distance and I’d be close enough.
Step.
Step.
Crouch.
Heart thumping, I watched as the movement continued. My muscles tightened and my bottom started wiggling. Unable to wait, I sprang forward, claws extended. Leaves flew into the air as I landed on my target. Bugs scattered. Eyes narrowed, I searched for…. There! There was the little bugger. I growled at the big black beetle and trapped it with my paw.
Seconds passed. The bug wiggled under my paw, tickling me. Hunched down, I carefully lifted my paw and peeked. Dammit, can’t see. Unable to get a good look, I lifted my paw a little higher… and there it went, scuttling across the ground. Gleefully I slammed a paw down, trying to trap it. Slap. Slap. Slap. Arrgh! What’s the deal? I keep missing.
Looked like I’d found myself in a game of whack-a-mole, except with a beetle. And off we went. The bug scurried away with me hot on its trail. Every time I thought I had a paw on it, I ended up missing. Stupid critter was fast. I bounded along behind as it raced across the ground. Then it suddenly cut back and ran straight under me.
Surprised, I leaped in the air, all four paws coming off the ground. Whoa! Zigged when I should have zagged. I landed and nonchalantly licked a paw. Hope no one saw that. I had to give the bug credit. That was a smart move. The shrill cry of a mockingbird caught my attention. I lifted my head, searching for the little tattletale.
Up in a tree it sat, its warning cries echoing around the yard. I eyed the tree. Hmm, I could climb it, but the stupid bird will probably just take off. Still, might be fun. Maybe after I finished playing with the bug… and damn. The bug.
My attention returned to where it had been, my tail slashing. Great. Lost it. Stupid bird. I sat up and threw a glare over my shoulder at the bird. Standing, I turned my back to the little menace, tail held high. That’s what I think of you, buddy. I prowled around for a while, sniffing, enjoying the coolness of the morning.
In the early morning sunlight, the dew on the grass sparkled like diamonds. Maybe it was pretty, but the stuff was also cold and wet against my paws. I was glad for my fur. As I wandered back toward the house, my stomach growled. I was hungry and… I sniffed. Oh, was that a blue jay I smelled? Oh, oh, a blue jay. Yum.
The human side of me groaned, but the kitty part wanted to jump with joy. The noisy little shits were actually quite intelligent. Catching one was always a feat. Quick as I could, I hid in the bright fall foliage by the back porch. I stayed very, very still so the stupid bird three feet from me didn’t fly off in a panic.
I licked my lips, my whiskers twitching as I watched the little rascal across from me raise its head. Shit, shit, shit. What caught its attention? Come on already. It’s all fine, nothing to worry about here. No cat hanging around. Just go back to pecking around on the ground. Everything’s good. See? I’m not moving, not even breathing.
Crouched low, I waited while my breakfast relaxed and returned to looking for acorns. Other birds came and went, but I refused to get distracted. I knew the one I wanted. Inch by agonizing inch, I crept closer to my prey. My mouth watered and my heart thumped.
The chatter of the birds around me was easy and relaxed, no distress calls sounding. That’s right. Just keep on eating. Soon I’m going to be eating you. My body tensed, back legs ready to spring me into action….
And the phone in the house rang.
Author Interview:
Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing M.A. Church author of Behind the Eight Ball. Hi Michelle, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your current book.
Open up your recipe box! Give us something that would thrill us.
It just so happens Lawson’s a big seafood fan. The second time he met Heller, he was trying to talk his friend into eating seafood. The person he was with wanted steak.
*Grin* Lawson didn’t get his seafood that night. So in honor of his love of seafood, here is one of his favorite recipes. J
Grilled Fish Steaks
Ingredients:
6 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
2 (6 ounce) halibut fillets
Directions:
- In a stainless steel or glass bowl, combine garlic, olive oil, basil, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and parsley.
- Place the halibut filets in a shallow glass dish or a resealable plastic bag, and pour the marinade over the fish. Cover or seal and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour, turning occasionally.
- Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil grate. Set grate 4 inches from the heat.
- Remove halibut filets from marinade and drain off the excess. Grill filets 5 minutes per side or until fish is done when easily flaked with a fork.
Buy the book:
Dreamspinner eBook: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7022
Meet the author:
M.A. Church is a true Southern belle who spent many years in the elementary education sector. Now she spends her days lost in fantasy worlds, arguing with hardheaded aliens on far-off planets, herding her numerous shifters, or trying to tempt her country boys away from their fishing poles. It’s a full time job, but hey, someone’s gotta do it!
When not writing, she’s exploring the latest M/M novel to hit the market, watching her beloved Steelers, or sitting glued to HGTV. That’s if she’s not on the back porch tending to the demanding wildlife around the pond in the backyard. The ducks are very outspoken. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, and they have two children.
She was a finalist in the Rainbow awards for 2013 and is a member of Romance Writers of America, Rainbow Romance Writers, and Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
Where to find the author:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ma.church3
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/MA-Church/173797619379487
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nomoretears00
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nomoretears00/
Other: Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007A8JA4C
Other: Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5141393.M_A_Church
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27153448-behind-the-eight-ball
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Paul Richmond
Tour Dates & Stops:
12-Oct: Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My, Multitasking Mommas, Parker Williams
13-Oct: KathyMac Reviews, Nautical Star Books
14-Oct: Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
15-Oct: The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, MM Good Book Reviews, Emotion in Motion
16-Oct: Full Moon Dreaming
19-Oct: V’s Reads, BFD Book Blog
20-Oct: Bonkers About Books, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves
21-Oct: Happily Ever Chapter, Divine Magazine
22-Oct: Bayou Book Junkie, Lee Brazil
23-Oct: Jessie G. Books
27-Oct: The Jena Wade
28-Oct: Molly Lolly, Love Bytes
29-Oct: Inked Rainbow Reads, My Fiction Nook, Hearts on Fire, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings
30-Oct: 3 Chicks After Dark, QUEERcentric Books, Open Skye Book Reviews
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Thanks for having me! 🙂
~M
Happy to be part of the tour!