“Oh, that …” Love didn’t even begin to describe how Derek felt when he thought he had lost Jill a second time. Derek’s heart had seized in his chest. His will to live was eliminated. If he didn’t have Mitchell to protect, he would have sacrificed himself to save her. He winked at her before answering. “I was referring to Cecil.”
Jill punched Derek in the arm, and then planted her hands on her hips, pretending to be angry. “As your fiancée, I’m officially jealous.”
“Fiancée?” Derek acted surprised. “Who says I’ll ask you to marry me?” Thank God he still had the ring in his pocket. Derek’s stubbornness, for once, paid off.
“As I recall, you asked me already, and I said yes.”
“That was three years ago.” Derek cupped Jill’s cheek, his thumb swiping a smudge of dirt away.
“I’ll check with legal, but there’s no statute of limitations on proposals.” Jill’s arms threaded around Derek’s waist, tugging him closer. “You’re still stuck with me, buster.”
“No. That original proposal is definitely void.”
Jill’s face fell as she pulled away from Derek.
Grabbing her hand, Derek raised it to his lips and kissed her fingertips. Then he dropped to one knee and found the blue velvet box he had been carrying around with him for three years. Finally, he got to take it out. This time, permanently. He opened the box, resting it on his palm. A three-carat, princess-cut diamond winked up at Jill.
“I love you, Jill Connor, and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Minus the monsters, of course. Will you marry me?”
Tears slipped from between Jill’s lashes. Her hands trembled as she cradled Derek’s face.
“Yes,” she whispered, nodding. “I love you, too. I never stopped loving you.”
Derek slid the ring over Jill’s finger, content to see it back where it belonged. He rose to his feet and smiled, before letting his lips touch Jill’s. Hugging her tighter, he deepened the kiss.
“About time,” Mitchell mumbled. “For Christ’s sake! It only took a fifty-foot Druid god to make you two see the light.”
Yes, well, whatever works, Derek thought as he hugged Jill close.
###
Afterword
Thank you so much for reading Widowmaker! We hope it made you laugh, cringe, and gasp. We are not responsible for any fear it may have instilled toward movie theaters.
If you enjoyed Widowmaker, we would love to ask you a little favor. Go back to wherever you purchased this book (Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, etc.), and please leave an honest review.
If you use Twitter, Facebook, or Goodreads, it would also really help us out if you let everyone know why you enjoyed Widowmaker as well! And while you’re there, say hi to us, too!
* * * * *
Want more from Cristyn West and Elena Gray?
Check out their short stories in the ultimate horror anthology, The Evil Within.
The hiss of hot breath coming from inside the coat closet.
The noxious odor of plastic smothering your face as you fight to breathe.
The nagging feeling that someone is watching your every move ... waiting.
Vengeance. Misplaced trust. Pure evil.
After reading these nine chilling tales, how many times will you soothe yourself in the dark, trying to convince yourself that “there are no monsters”?
* * * * *
Other Works by Cristyn West, aka Carolyn McCray
If you enjoyed the twists and turns of Widowmaker, you might want to try my #1 Best-selling (under Police Procedurals and Hard-Boiled Mysteries) …
Plain Jane: Brunettes Beware, and my gripping horror novel, All Hallow’s Eve.
All Hallow’s Eve: The One Night it’s Bad to be Good
People are being martyred, but not for their faith. Instead, the deaths are part of a serial killer’s sick game, as he chooses his victims by their names … and then kills them in that saint’s grisly manner.
“Scary and smart, All Hallow’s Eve is perfect for anyone who wants to read a horror story that hits them in the gut. From the intricate psychopathology of the serial killer, to the hair-raising tension, to the skewering of pop culture, All Hallow’s Eve is simply a great read.”
Your Need To Read
Book Reviewer
“Even in her horror novels, Cristyn West still brings her amazing ability to create believable characters that you love to root for. All Hallow’s Eve is no exception. Thank you, Cristyn, for writing such intelligent horror! Still scary, but so great to read.”
Amber Scott
Author
Fierce Dawn
To sample or purchase All Hallow’s Eve, click here.
* * *
In the words of New York Times best-selling author James Rollins (Altar of Eden and Devil Colony)…
“Wickedly macabre and blisteringly paced, PLAIN JANE marks the debut of a thriller for the new millennium. Brash, funny, terrifying, and shocking, here is a story best enjoyed with all the lights on. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!”
#seriously #youhavebeenwarned!
To sample or purchase Plain Jane, click here.
* * *
If you enjoyed the action and supernatural elements of Widowmaker, you are going to love Rook: Let’s Stop the Apocalypse, People.
“Saving the world is a crappy job, but somebody’s got to do it.”
And yes, Rook does want to be quoted on that!
In a world where the earth is the DMZ between Heaven and Hell, Rook and his team try keep the forces of good and evil at bay. But like we said... try.
To sample or purchase Rook, click here.
* * * * *
About the Authors
Cristyn West
I started out like most authors. I had a story in my head that would not shut up! LOL!
And since I love sitting around thinking up ways to kill people (on paper, of course), the story for Widowmaker bubbled to the surface.
If you are looking to publish a book such as this one, or are a reader and want to find the cream of the indie crop, you really need to look up @indiebookIBC!
If you would like to connect with me, check out my Contact Information section. Or for a quick Tweet, you can find me under @craftycmc (for my personal account). And of course, this book would not be in your hands if it were not for the unwavering efforts of the Indie Book Collective @indiebookIBC.
Elena Gray
Amidst piles of laundry you will find me tapping away at my laptop, escaping into my own paranormal world. My friends are shapeshifters, vampires, and witches. I never know what new adventure they will take me on. Demanding and opinionated, they keep me up at all hours of the night.
Did I mention the stalkers? They follow me everywhere I go... lurking in corners, and hiding in the shadows. They’ve even been known to pop up in my shower. Yes, they are the pesky characters who do not give me a moment’s peace. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
When I’m not corralling my two rambunctious boys, you’ll find me chatting with readers online or with the Indie Book Collective, acting as Blog Tour de Troops Coordinator—paying it forward to the men and women who safeguard our freedom.
Author Contact Info:
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: http://twitter.com/elena_gray
Blog: http://elenagray.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/elenagrayauthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/elenagray
* * * * *
Copyright Information
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, places, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imaginations or are used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Widowmaker
An Off Our Meds Project/published by arrangement with the author
FIRST EDITION
Copyright 2011 by Carolyn McCray
/> All rights reserved
Kindle Edition
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Any inquiries can be made to:
1387 Hanover Lane
Ventura, CA 93001
* * * * *
Acknowledgments
From Cristyn West:
So many people contribute to any book that it is hard to list them all. However, I intend to try!
This book would never have come into existence without, of course, Jim. Ever cool. Ever there.
Ben, who faithfully edited the manuscript through its many, many, many incarnations.
Dee Dee, who has believed in me for so long it is almost impossible to remember a time without her. #andnothatsnotadissonyourage
Carrie, my new editor, who knows of my love for sentence fragments and run-on sentences, yet who still patiently edits them to the point where they are readable!
And lastly, Teresa, who somehow stuck it out for more than a year, renewing my faith in mankind. #oratleastroommates :-)
* * *
From Elena Gray:
This has been an amazing journey to having my first book released. My sister was the inspiration for me to start my first story.
Hugs to my boys, who put up with my late nights at the computer—and who are waiting for Mom to write a book for them. My mom, who would always read pages for me and give the honest feedback that only a mother can. And most especially my husband, for sharing me with the characters in my head.
Heartfelt thanks to Carolyn McCray for inviting me to write Widowmaker with her. It truly was an honor. And for all of the lovely purple boxes that accompanied my edits.
Huge thanks to my writing group. These ladies are not afraid to tell it like it is. Rachel Thompson, I think of you whenever I add a little #snark to my writing.
And last, but definitely not least, thanks to my writing sisters. Thank you to Amber Scott, my big writing sis, who has always encouraged me to keep writing and to not give up. And my twin writing sister, Kelli McCracken. She’s always there to pass the tissues when I need them. Every step of our writing career has been done together. And I look forward to many more.
* * * * *
Contact Information
Cristyn West (aka Carolyn McCray) can be found just about everywhere social media exists (and some that are just in her head).
Her personal social media links:
Website
Twitter
Blog
Facebook
Goodreads
LinkedIn
Her writing advice, Writing Without the Drama, links:
Twitter
Blog
Her Indie Book Collective (where she and the rest of the Collective help teach authors how to use social media to market their books):
Website
Twitter
Blog
Facebook
Goodreads
LinkedIn
Technical Publishing articles on DigitalBookWorld.com
Poignant articles on Lifarre.com
Motivational article on MOMeoMagazine.com
* * * * *
Table of Contents
Book Cover
Main Menu
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Other Works
The Evil Within – A Wicked Horror Anthology
Plain Jane – A Patterson-style thriller with a dash of Hannibal
All Hallow’s Eve – The one day it is BAD… to be good
Rook – Earth is the DMZ between Heaven and Hell, and that’s the good news.
Contact Information
Copyright Information
Chapters:
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
To go back to the Main Menu, click here.
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