Contest winners, new snippet, and quotes

Sorry for not posting this yesterday. Stupid migraine laid me out. But, I’m back with goodies, so let’s have at it! First up is the three winners from last week’s contest. The two winners who will receive any book from my collection are:

Angela B and Kirsten G!

And, the winner of the $25 Amazon egift card is:

Michelle L!

Congrats, all! I’ve already contacted the winners by replying to their entry email (which is the ONLY way I ever contact winners, so don’t get scammed by someone claiming to me telling you in a comment section that you won a prize. Yes, that happened.) So, congrats again to the winners, and to everyone else, I’m sorry you didn’t get a book, but I have quotes and a new snippet for you below.

Hey, I haven’t even posted that last quote to my socials yet, so for once, you see it first! And now, to the new snippet. I chose this one because from early reviews of BOTH FEET IN THE GRAVE, several readers mentioned that they got a kick out of seeing Bones in a rare “dumb guy” moment since he is normally so sharp-witted and observant. But, love can blind many a person. Combine that with Annette being pretty sharp-witted herself, and Bones had no idea what he’d unleashed by driving off and leaving Cat and Annette alone with each other. Readers of the series remember that they did NOT get along, and contrary to Cat’s claim later, no, Pilates was not happening, either. Enjoy!

Copyright Jeaniene Frost. All rights reserved.

“You’re late,” Rodney said two hours later.

Bones couldn’t stifle his grin as he said, “Traffic.”

Rodney laughed and slapped his back as he hugged Bones. “Most obvious lie you’ve ever told.”

“It is,” Bones agreed.

Rodney had five bags with him, but only one was his personal belongings. The rest contained weapons and other tactical necessities. Their confrontation with Ian was nigh, and Bones couldn’t leave anything to chance.

“Have to make a stop on the way to the house,” Bones said once they were on the road. “We’re picking up a few of Cat’s blokes and having them for dinner.”

Rodney’s brows went up. “As in…?”

“Not that,” Bones said with a snort. “Though one might annoy me into it before too long. Still, Cat wants her men to have more contact with the undead that doesn’t involve knives.”  

“Smart,” Rodney commented. “Now, what are these guys like? I’ve read their dossiers, but that doesn’t tell me personality.”

“Cooper is serious but fierce, Juan is sly and skilled, and Tate is brave but begging to be killed with how openly he’s in love with Cat,” Bones summarized.

Rodney’s eyes widened. “No shit?”

“I shit you not,” Bones said dryly. “She brushes it off as infatuation, but I can see it in his eyes. Only thing that makes him useful is that he’d die for her without a second thought.”

Rodney gave him a shrewd look. “So, you’ll keep him around in order to do that, if she gets herself in a tough spot?”   

Bones lifted a shoulder in a half shrug. “She doesn’t want me killing him, so this is the next best thing.”

Rodney grunted. “Some days, you’re a cold one, buddy.”

“Some days?” Bones snorted. “You flatter me.”

They drove in silence until they were nearly at the compound. Then, Rodney said, “It’ll be weird pulling up here instead of scouting it out from a distance. Are we going to have enough room for everyone? Or is Cat taking her own car?”

“We’re only picking up the lads. Cat’s back at the house with Annette.”

Rodney stared at him. “Tell me you’re kidding.”

Bones turned off at the private exit that led to the compound. “No, why?”

Rodney’s stare felt like it grew heavier. “You really left Cat and Annette alone together back at the house?”

“Yes. Why?” 

Rodney let out a sharp laugh. “For a smart guy, you just did a very stupid thing.”

Bones showed the identification that Don had made for him at the first guard station, then waited until they were waved through before replying. “Cat might have instinctive vampire jealousy, but she’d never attack Annette without reason.”

Rodney grunted. “You think Annette won’t give her one?”

The unusual derision in Rodney’s voice caused Bones to give him a sharp look. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that Annette’s had you to herself for over two centuries—”

“Hardly to herself,” Bones interjected. 

“She has in the only way that matters to her,” Rodney countered. “You and Annette might have had countless other lovers, but you always came back to each other. Now, you’re suddenly in love with another woman and monogamous. What makes you think Annette’s going to be okay with being permanently benched after all that time playing on the field?”

Bones had followed enough American football to understand the reference, even if he disagreed with it. “You’re wrong. Annette was happy for me when I told her I’d found Cat.”

Rodney said nothing as they were stopped by the second guard gate. After his credentials were verified and Bones pulled past it, the ghoul gave him a jaded look. “You’re the expert on women, even though you obviously have a blind spot when it comes to Annette. So, you saying a woman wouldn’t lie about how she really felt in order to stay close enough to her ex to sabotage his new relationship, especially if she thought there might still be chance between them?”

A regular woman might, but Annette didn’t have a jealous bone in her body when it came to him, as she’d proved by their many, many ménages over the centuries. But then…Annette had antagonized Cat over Belinda, and that was within the first few minutes of meeting her. What might she do if Rodney was right, and she did harbor some unexpected jealousy when it came to Cat?

“Perhaps I should hasten back,” Bones murmured.

Rodney grunted again. “Yeah, you really should.”

***

You can preorder yours at #Ad Amazon,* B&N, Apple Books, Libro, Audible, Indiebound, or Kobo. And, for a limited time, you can also get signed copies via book plate from Aesop’s Fable book store here.

Next week, you’ll get your new snippet on Tuesday, fyi, since that’s release day. I’ll also have some more goodies, too, so be sure to check back. Thanks, and have a great weekend!