Consuming the Darkness

Well, here we are. Starting anew in my Darkness series. When Penetrating was finished, I felt like something was incomplete. I wasn’t ready to let the Darkness go just yet. That’s when the idea for Consuming came about. With the sun back, the town would need to be rebuilt. Enter detective Sierra Storm. She’s a no-nonsense woman. The job is her life. So when a serial killer shows up in the city, she’s tasked to take him in. I love writing about strong women. But I also love showing their vulnerable spot.

Want to know more. Here you go.

Consuming the Darkness

Blurb:

In Jacob’s Cove, where death is as common as apple pie, a serial murderer is a first. Lieutenant Sienna Storm, the town’s newly minted homicide detective, is eager to prove she’s up to the job of tracking down the demon who rips out his victims’ still-beating hearts. Even if it means using her abilities.

Detective Nathan Powers lost his partner to the aptly named Heartless Killer, and the trail of bodies leads him to Jacob’s Cove, a strange world populated with bloodthirsty demons and run by a vampire. Still, the leggy blonde, Sienna, is a pleasant distraction. Until he discovers she’s after the same killer—and she’s not sharing.

On the hunt, the more they cross paths, the harder it is to stay apart. Together they discover not only clues, but a searing desire, one that may be their downfall when the killer targets Nathan, and Sienna risks everything to get him back.

Excerpt:

Consuming the Darkness Excerpt:

“Behind you! Get down.”

The gun came up in his hand, aimed at her head. She felt the presence of the vampire as he jumped out from behind the dumpster. As she spun around to take him down, the gun fired, hitting the vamp in the right shoulder. He jerked back, screeching like a banshee.

“What the hell are you doing?” she yelled at the man with the gun as she ran to the vamp. “Daisy, stay!” Daisy sat as she’d been instructed while Sienna knelt down beside the screaming vamp. She pressed her knee to the vamp’s bleeding shoulder to ensure that he wouldn’t move. “You are under arrest for breaking the laws of human and vampire and will be detained in the local jail while awaiting trial.”

“You’re a cop?” the guy behind her responded.

 “Yeah, I’m a cop. Oh, stop your screaming already,” she yelled at the vamp, then flipped him onto his belly and pulled his arms to his back, pinning them in one hand while she searched for her handcuffs. “Damn it, why don’t I have my cuffs on me. Wanna tell me why you were about to attack me?”

“I wasn’t…honest…I was only…out for a walk. Yeah, I was walking. I’m going to sue the cops for harassment. I was minding my own. Fuck, my shoulder is killing me. Police brutality!”

“Shut the hell up. No one gives a damn.”

“Here.”

Sienna glanced up to see a set of shiny silver handcuffs dangling down before her. Glancing up, she took a moment to survey the gentleman and noticed he wasn’t bad on the eyes. His dark brown hair was messed up but somehow looked natural. And wow! The guy had a hell of a body. Broad shoulders, wide chest, and narrow waist. His face was pretty decent to look at, even with that thin line of hair over his upper lip that ran down the sides of his mouth to cover his chin. He had nice eyes, dark, round, with long lashes. “I’d prefer a regulation set rather than your bondage toys.”

“These are regulation. I’m a detective. Nathan Powers,” he introduced in a deep, throaty voice that sounded as if he’d had one too many cigarettes.

The vamp squirming beneath her, she took the cuffs. Before slapping them on the vamp’s wrists she made sure they were regulation. Flipping him onto his back, Sienna pinned him with her knee as she had before. “Don’t try anything stupid.”

“Bitch!” the vamp spat.

“What the hell’s with the yellow contacts and fake fangs?”

Sienna glanced over her shoulder as she responded to the detective. “What? You’ve never seen a vampire before?”

“A what?”

“A vampire.”

“I heard you. I thought I’d seen it all, but I guess not. Now we’ve got junkies playing vampire,” The detective chuckled with a shake of his head.

One look at the guy told her he was serious. “Oh jeez, he’s a virgin.” She rolled her eyes. “I told you to shut up.” She yanked the screaming vamp to his feet. “This is a vampire, not a fake, the real deal and if you plan on being in Jacob’s Cove for any amount of time you might want to be on the lookout for them. Some of them refuse to abide by the new laws. Isn’t that right, screamer?”

“Seriously though, he’s a vampire like the blood-sucking kind?”

“Don’t know any other kind.”

“Shouldn’t you like…you know, jam a wooden stake through his heart? I can’t believe I just said that.” He laughed boldly.

Was he for real?

 She didn’t care for the sarcasm in his voice. “Neither can I. We prefer to rehabilitate them rather than turning them to dust.” Holding the vamp in one hand, she pulled her cell phone out with the other and dialed the station. “Lieutenant Storm here. I have a rogue vamp I need brought in.”

“I wasn’t doing anything, you stupid bitch.”

She clamped onto the squirming vamp a little tighter as she gave her location. She slipped her phone back into her shirt pocket when she was through and gave the vamp a hard shove against the dumpster. “Right, you were only skulking in the dark because you needed a smoke, right?”

“It’s a free world last time I looked.”

“Sure, except when you’re attempting to drink someone dry. Save it for the judge; I’m done listening.”

“You can’t prove anything. I’m innocent.”

“Do you know what I am?” she asked as she leaned in real close. “I’m a Tejakkan which means I have precog abilities. I saw you moments before you jumped out and I saw just what you’d planned to do so save your ‘I’m innocent’ act for someone who gives a damn.”

“Bitch!”

“That’s right and remember it.”

https://www.amazon.com/Consuming-Darkness-Beginning-Shiela-Stewart-ebook/dp/B078W3Q2SK?ref_=ast_author_dp

 

 

Tempting the Darkness

 Today I'm sharing a look at Tempting the Darkness. When I finished writing the book I dedicated it to my mother. At the time, my dad had passed away a few months earlier. I had a tough time finishing this book because of the reference to cancer in one of the characters. My dad passed away from lung cancer. I set my grief aside and finished the story. 

My mother always relied on my dad to do everything. Banking, bills etc.. So when my dad died, my siblings thought she wouldn't be able to manage without him. To everyone's surprise, she flourished. 

Today, as I share this book, I am grieving once more. My mother passed away two weeks ago. She aided in raising her siblings when her mother passed away after her last child. She took care of seven of her own kids and two siblings. She was a farmer's wife who had to work hard every day to put food on the table and tend to all the cows, chickens and pigs while my father was on the road as a salesman. Her life was not easy. So taking this all in mind, I dedicated Tempting the Darkness to her. I hope you enjoy the blurb and excerpt of the 5th book in my Darkness series.

Blurb

For twenty long years, Cooper Hawthorne has kept the brightest light in his bleak existence a deeply hidden secret. All this time, his beloved Gabriella has slept safely in cryogenic stasis, awaiting the day he finds a cure for her terminal cancer.

As love blooms amidst the Darkness, and still no cure in sight, loneliness drives Cooper to drastic measures. He awakens Gabriella and breaks his last promise to her—by turning her into a vampire.

Gabriella’s sense of betrayal weighs heavily on her attempts to deal with what Cooper has done to her. Pushing him away, she turns to his friends for support—and finds she isn’t the only one hurt by his actions.

Cooper fights the temptation to use his powers to wipe her mind of the damning memories. But, when he comes face to face with the monster that created him, he knows what he must do.

Will Gabriella be able to save him before it’s too late? Or will the Darkness swallow him whole?

Excerpt

Jacob’s Cove, 2026 Six months of darkness

Cooper heard the commotion coming from the dungeon below the instant he stepped into the kitchen to start lunch. Though he didn’t know why he bothered when neither Basil or Trinity had much of an appetite lately. Still, the others in the group could pop in—and usually did—at any time.

Although the dungeon was reasonably soundproofed, Cooper’s keen hearing picked up the screams. Racing down to the dungeon, Cooper threw the door open to find Basil standing over a young man, both of them bloody.

“I have all sorts of ideas when it comes to torture. I can go on for hours. Can you?”

The screams split through the air, sending a chill down Cooper’s spine. The young man’s hand that had been fastened to a cinder block was coated in sickly, gray blood.

“Now, I ask you again. Where is Chaos?”

“I...don’t...know,” the young man wheezed, kneeling on the floor, his head down, brown hair matted over his face.

“Then you shall lose another.”

Cooper turned away just as Basil sliced off one of the boy’s fingers. The cries from the young man sunk right to Cooper’s gut, drawing a vile sickness up to his throat. “Basil.”

 “Not now, Cooper. I’m busy.”

Apparently, he was enjoying what he was doing. The look on Basil’s face reminded Cooper far too much of Basil’s father. “The lad will keep. I must speak with you, now.”

Basil angled a steely look Cooper’s way. Then he stepped away from the bloody vampire boy, wiping his brow with his forearm as he walked to the cell doors. “What is so important that you needed to interrupt me while I’m interrogating a suspect, Cooper?”

Cooper opened the cell door, saying nothing, held a hand out as an indication of wanting Basil to follow him. With a snarled response, Basil exited the cell. Cooper stepped up to the sink near the back of the room that was used—in its day of torture—to wash the blood from the assailant’s hands. Lifting the glass mirror from its place on the wall, he held it up in front of Basil. “Who do you see?”

Basil growled, baring sharp, white fangs. “This is what you pulled me away from my task for?”

 “Who do you see?”

Basil’s icy blue eyes narrowed. When he spoke, it was through gritted teeth. “Myself. May I return now?”

“Look closer.”

“Damn it, Cooper—”

“Look closer!” Cooper insisted sternly. This time, Basil’s eyes began to glow, but he looked back into the mirror.

 “I see myself.”

“Then your eyes are as clouded as your judgment. Do you know who I see, Basil?”

“I don’t give a rat’s ass—”

“Avadur,” Cooper cut him off, the name alone had Basil pausing. “There is pleasure in your eyes, the same pleasure I would see come into your father’s eyes when he was torturing you. I feel the coldness emanating from your heart that was so chilling in your father.”

Basil stepped back as if he finally saw what Cooper did. He turned away from the mirror, looking down at his hands, coated in sickly, gray vampire blood.

We both know that boy has no information for you. We both know he is not an appropriate means for you to vent your frustrations and pain on.” Cooper placed his hands on Basil’s shoulders, turning him. “Your anger is not with that boy.”

“I can’t take my anger out on the one who deserves it.”

Cooper ran his hand over Basil’s long, dark hair, much like he had when Basil had been a boy, in dire need of affection. “Taking it out on the innocent only turns you into a monster. I won’t stand by and allow that. Go, be with Trinity. Console each other.”

“I can’t make her come out of Felicity’s room.” The tears in Basil’s eyes made Cooper’s heart ache.

“Then go there to be with her. You need each other.” Grabbing the towel hanging by the sink, Cooper laid it over Basil’s bloody hands. “I’ll take care of the boy.”

 Basil nodded. Walking to the dungeon’s exit, he paused. “What would I ever do without you, Cooper?”

The instant Basil was gone, Cooper turned to the boy. He was curled up on the floor, clutching what remained of his hand. Cooper knelt down, taking the mangled hand in his. Basil had done a number on the boy. He’d severed all but two of the young man’s fingers. Though he wouldn’t die from blood loss, he would suffer the pain.

“Shh now, all will be well in no time.” Laying his hand on the boy’s head, Cooper soothed him with his touch, then sent his mind to sleep. While the boy slept, Cooper carried him to the underground exit. Once at the surface, Cooper laid the boy on the ground, knowing that either someone would find him and take him to safety, or he would wake and run for his life. Either way, he was better off than where he’d been.

Back inside, Cooper washed up in the main floor washroom, wiping the blood from his hands, then splashing some cold water on his face. He hated senseless violence. Grabbing the towel, Cooper glanced at the mirror and noticed one of his tinted lenses had shifted slightly. Drying off his hands, he readjusted it, covering up the blue that would identify him as having been sired by the king. He wore the yellow contacts for a reason.

Giving his suit jacket a stiff tug, Cooper left the horror behind him.

 https://www.amazon.com/Tempting-Darkness-Shiela-Stewart-ebook/dp/B01MXM82B2?ref_=ast_author_dp

Seducing the Darkness excerpt.

 Trinity stood in the shadows and watched as a group of humans exited a local hangout called Buckeye’s Bar. It was a known pick-off for her kind. Most of the humans that came and went from the bar tended to leave through the back entrance which led to the alley. Then bam! You were vamp food.

 People were so stupid. Why did they think they had their faculties in order when they plied themselves with alcohol? The brain was sluggish after several drinks and thus impaired their thought process. So of course, stupid and drunk, they stumbled through the alley thinking themselves impervious to harm. 

 When would they learn? 

 Considering the past few weeks, it seemed as though the vampires were out in full force. Okay, so people didn’t want to believe there could actually be such a thing as a blood sucking half dead creature taking up residence in their city. But come on, one look in the newspapers and you had to at least be worried about all the dead bodies being found lately. 

 Still, people never believed it could happen to them. Until they end up dead. 

 She watched a group of young girls—and if they were of legal age, she would eat her shoes—stumble from the bar. They separated and two went off towards the street while the last wandered drunkenly down the dark alley. 

 Oh yeah, like this was going to end well. 

 “Five, four, three, two, one. Bam!” She shot her hand out just as a vampire jumped from out of the shadows and right beside the stupid young girl. Shaking her head, Trinity moved towards the screaming girl. Idiot. 

 “I don’t think you want to be doing that.” 

 The tall, gangly, greasy haired vampire jerked and spun around to face Trinity. His teeth were primed for the kill, his yellow eyes glaring at Trinity as if she were his next meal. The poor girl in his arms was wailing something awful. 

 Now you regret going through the dark alley. 

 “Yeah, says who?” 

 Trinity lifted a brow, cocked her body to one side and rested her hand on her hip. “Jesus, could you have said anything more lame? Let the girl go and no one has to get hurt.” Okay, so that wasn’t completely the truth. He would be more than hurt when this was over. He would be dust. 

 “How ‘bout I keep her and you wait against the wall until I’m done?” He jerked the girl towards him, yanking her head back to expose her neck. He was just about to bite down when Trinity placed a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and his face froze. 

 “How ‘bout I don’t.” Trinity bared her fanged teeth to show him she was not going to back off. “Beat it kid.” She clamped her hand on the vampires shoulder, her nails digging into his flesh as she jerked her head at the girl. As she’d suspected, the guy was a wimp. He released the girl who immediately ran off screaming. 

 “Now, you wanna take off, or am I going to have to mess up that pretty face of yours?” she asked sarcastically as she glared down at him. 

 “You couldn’t handle me, bitch.” He slapped her hand free, then curling his fingers in a fist, threw a punch at her face. 

 She was ready and ducked out of the way. Slicing her hand up, she chopped him in the neck, sending him crumbling on the ground. “You don’t want to mess with me, jerk,” she advised as she planted a booted foot on his jugular. The razor blades she had attached to the toe drew a small amount of dull gray, deoxygenated blood as she pressed it just below his chin. 

 “Go ahead and dust him, he’s useless.” 

 Trinity glared over her shoulder at the man she had once been destined for and felt her heart ache. She couldn’t stop herself from admiring the beauty of the man before her. His long dark hair floated in the light breeze sweeping away from a face sculpted of fine bone and delicate skin. He looked so dark and dangerous in that long, black leather coat he always wore. One look into his translucent blue eyes turned her heart to mush. 

 Then she reminded herself how much she detested him. 

 To show she wasn’t a push over, Trinity pressed her foot harder, the razor blades cutting into the vampire’s neck. His arms flailed out, trying to yank her foot away from his neck. His legs kicked wildly, but Trinity had a good ten pounds on the scrawny vamp. Tilting her toe downward, she sliced deep into his neck, finally cutting his head off. In a whoosh he disintegrated into a pile of dust, his last breaths used to scream his way to death. 

 She took a deep breath, shook the remnants of a useless life from her boot then turned. “Basil.” 

 “Trinity.” They stalked each other like the predators they were, neither taking their eyes off the other. “You’re looking good.”

 Her breath always caught in her throat when she looked into those icy blue eyes of his. Unlike the rest of her race that had yellow eyes, he had the color of his heritage. He was royal. “So are you, but you already know that.” She circled him, her eyes never leaving his.  She knew how quick he could be, and she was prepared. “Was he one of yours?” 

 “Would I have cared if you dusted him if he was one of mine?” His hand slid to his pocket and he pulled the pack of cigarettes from his pocket. “How have you been?” 

 She rolled her shoulders, the itch still irritating her. “Better now that I left you.” And wasn’t it odd how acrid a lie could taste?

 “I noticed you’ve had your belongings gathered from our home.” 

 “Your home,” she corrected, keeping her distance from him. She knew perfectly well being close to him would have dire repercussions. 

 “Have you settled into your apartment then?” 

 He was being so nice, so civil. She didn’t like it. “Why are you here, Basil?” 

 “I might ask the same of you, Trinity.” He lit the cigarette smoothly and the flame showed a devastatingly handsome face, with curves and lines and strength. 

 “I’m protecting the humans,” she remarked with an edge in her voice. “Always the warrior, my fiery princess.” He smiled sweetly as he drew long and hard on his cigarette then smartly blew a ring of circles in the air. All without taking his eyes from hers. 

 “Don’t call me that.” She hated when he called her that. Okay, once upon a time hearing him call her that made her hot, but that was then. This was now. 

 “It’s what you are and always will be to me.” 

 “Yeah, I was such a treasure, that’s why you decided to fuck another woman. Leave me alone, Basil.”

 In a quick shift that surprised her, he was in front of her, his hand clamped on her chin as he tilted her face to meet his. “Despite my indiscretion, I will always love you.” He dropped his cigarette and ground it out beneath his boot. 

 She jerked her chin free, snarling, “You have a funny way of showing it.” 

 Grabbing her chin again, this time he held a little tighter. “Love has many sides to it, my sweet.” He sealed his words with a sharp kiss, his teeth scraping her bottom lip right before he vanished into the night. 

 Cursing, Trinity spat on the ground, wanting to eliminate his flavor from her tongue. Bastard thought he could come back and act as if nothing had happened. Fuck him! She still remembered all too clearly what it had felt like to walk in on him and the woman crawling over his naked body. 

 Shaking herself free of him, Trinity walked away. The last thing she needed was the memory of Basil’s kiss or the feel of his touch on her skin. What she needed was a vicious kill. If only she could find one. 

Another day

 It's been crazy at my place. My son and daughter-inlaw and grandkids are living with us until their house is repaired. My mom is in the hospital and my hubby had eye surgery. See, crazy. It's been a long time since there have been kids living with me. My grandson is 5 and my granddaughter is 13. Quite a change.

It's been pretty good. It's nice to have 2 of my 4 grandkids here. The 5-year-old is full of energy and he never stops talking. LOL

My mom has Alzheimer's and fell at her group home. They tested her for Covid at the hospital and sure enough, she's positive. She's asymptomatic. Aside from not being able to remember or recognize people she's violent and verbally abusive. She's 91 and very frail. It's hard seeing my mom like that.

I've been revamping my website. It was time for a change. I haven't updated it for a long time. It's giving me a bit of difficulty with the layers, which is frustrating. 

I've been toying around with three of the stories I wrote a long time ago. I haven't decided which one to stick with yet. One is a story I wrote eight years ago and isn't paranormal or romance. It's about a teenage boy wanting to impress his disapproving father by killing a family. The story takes the reader on a rollercoaster of a ride as the boy tries to run from the cops. The boy has mental problems including hearing voices. It's mind-bending. The other is a paranormal, non-romance about a succubus killing men. There is a division in the police department called SID. Supernatural Investigation Division, that strictly work by finding and taking care of paranormal and supernatural being who are breaking the law. And the third is about a young woman working as a stripper that is suddenly swept into a bizarre world where a manimal is trying to kill her. She jumps back and forth between reality and nonreality. 

Maybe you can tell me which one to focus on.

Well, that's my babble for today. See you later.