#halloweenreads | Linda McLaughlin/Lyndi Lamont

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In yesterday’s post, I mentioned that one of my favorite childhood Halloween costumes was Witch, and the other was Little Red Riding Hood, so when I set out to write a fairy tale romance, Red was my first thought.

In Ilona’s Wolf, I opened with a twist. Instead of Red, in this case Ilona, being rescued from the wolf by a woodsman, I reversed their roles. Now she’s rescued from a predatory woodsman by a werewolf knight.

Excerpt:

“Yes,” she insisted. In her mind she saw the wolf racing through the forest, sensed its blood lust. She fought down the fear, knowing it weakened her. Gods, was she destined to be ravished and devoured on the same day?

Then she heard the creature approaching. It bounded out of the woods and stood, snarling, lifted its head and let out a blood-curdling howl. The woodsman took one look at the fierce creature and ran off down the path. The wolf chased after him, then wheeled and trotted back toward her.

She sat frozen, her back to the tree. Oh, gods, don’t let it see me. She tried to cast an invisibility spell, but to no avail. The wolf looked at her, golden eyes gleaming, mouth open, showing off large, sharp teeth. She closed her eyes and gripped her throat with both hands. Quaking with terror, she listened as the animal padded toward her. She felt its hot breath on her cheek.

Opening her eyes a slit, she stared into the face of the wolf. Sad eyes stared at her, and her fears receded. Perhaps he’d been tamed. She reached out with what was left of her powers, but sensed no immediate danger. “Good wolf,” she stammered.

She held out one shaking fist, and the wolf sniffed it before licking her knuckles. It moved closer, sniffing her clothing. To her surprise, the animal hunkered down beside her and laid its head on her leg. Carefully, she touched it, stroking the soft fur.

Relief flooded through her. Saved by a wolf, of all creatures. “Thank the gods you showed up when you did. I’d no wish to be ravished by the likes of him.”

The wolf lifted its head and seemed to smile up at her, mouth open, tongue lolling.

She smiled at the canine as she continued to pet it. “Grateful I am for you rescuing me, but ’tis not exactly what a girl dreams of. Where’s my knight on a white steed? ’Tis he who is supposed to do the rescuing.”

When the wolf lowered his head, sniffing between her legs, she laughed and pushed it away. “Rude creature.”

The animal responded by sitting up and resting its head on her breast. She put both arms around it and hugged it close, dropping a kiss on its head. “Do not misunderstand, Sir Wolf, but I still wish you were a knight. A strong, handsome knight like my Werner.”

The familiar sadness filled her at the memory of her husband. “I miss him so much, you know. Dagmar says another knight will come for me, a handsome knight to protect us and make sweet, passionate love to me.”

The wolf whined and raised his head to lick her cheek. Laughing, she tried to push him away, but he licked her full on the mouth. She closed her eyes, stunned when her powers came rushing back, like a flood of magic coursing around her.

Turning aside, she summoned her basket to her side. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the wolf jump up, staring at the basket. Her vision seemed to blur as the wolf’s face slowly became humanlike, then shifted back. She must have hit her head harder than she’d thought if she was seeing things. She closed her eyes and shook her head, but the aching had receded.

When she peeked again, the wolf was gone, and a naked man crouched in front of her. A handsome, well-built man with shaggy brown hair and golden brown eyes.

“Who are you?” she gasped.

Buy (or borrow on Kindle Unlimited) at: Amazon US, Amazon AU, Amazon Canada, and Amazon UK.

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Lyndi Lamont

What’s Halloween without witches and pirates? Well, witches for sure, but in my household and neighborhood, Halloween means pirates, too. Check out this local house, all decorated as a spooky pirate scene. It’s really awesome lit up at night with fog machine and piratical music.

When I was a kid, one of my favorite costumes was a witch. I’m still fascinated by witchcraft, and would like to know more about it. I’ve also spent a Halloween or two dressed as a pirate wench.

I first combined witches and pirates when I wrote a steamy paranormal novella called Marooned. In doing my research, I came across the notion of banishing spells, and knew I’d found the catalyst for the story. I had a lot of fun writing the rhyming spells. However, banishing spells are not a good idea. Do not try this at home. Seriously.

Marooned
by Lyndi Lamont
Steamy Pirate Romance

Blurb:

Heather Parnell is traveling from England to her home in Jamaica with her new husband, Roger, a man she detests. She performs a banishing spell with unintended consequences. When their ship is attacked by pirates, Roger is killed. Heather, disguised as a boy, joins the pirate crew.

Pirate captain Adam Langworth suspects there is something odd about the new lad. When he discovers she is a woman, she begs him to keep her secret, a violation of the ships’ articles. When her identity is discovered, Adam and Heather find themselves marooned on a deserted island with nothing to do for the rest of their lives but make love.

In this excerpt, Heather makes the fateful decision to banish Roger and his mistress Kitty from her life when she learns they intend to kill her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She moved to the bow of the ship, where she could be alone. The wind was strong, blowing the hood of her cape back. The crescent moon shone above, sending a faint illumination on the white caps below her and the sails above. She lifted her head, enjoying the feel of the wind on her face, in her hair. She was never happier than when she was outside, surrounded by the elements. Away from the petty squabbles and schemes of people…

She stood still for several moments, basking in the moonlight, the sound of the waves as they slapped against the hull, and the force of the wind. She was heading home to her beloved Jamaica. This should be a joyous occasion, and would have been had she found the right man. She pushed away her regrets and as she paused, soaking in the loving energy of the goddess, her spirits lifted and hope filled her heart.

What she was about to do was not without its risks. Her mother had cautioned her to be careful what she asked for. A negative spell could go badly awry.

But what did she have to lose except her life? And life was uncertain, at best.

Decision made, Heather pulled the paper with the names of her tormentors from the pocket of her cape as she formed the incantation in her mind. When she was certain, she held up the paper, focused on the evil being planned, and whispered,

——

“Foul murder intended for me.
Seek the pair who plan this deed.
Banish them first, by magic’s decree!
Send them from me.
So mote it be!”

——

She repeated the words, her voice growing stronger with each recitation. When the power within her peaked, she tore the paper into shreds and let the wind tear it from her fingers. “Send them from me. So mote it be!”

Drained of all emotion, she clutched the rail and stared out to sea. Her spell had been cast.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heather has no idea what forces she has unleashed with her spell.
If you want to find out, buy (or borrow on Kindle Unlimited) at: Amazon US, Amazon AU, Amazon CA, and Amazon UK.

What costume will you be wearing on Halloween? I’m debating between Hogwarts professor with pointy witch hat or pirate wench.

Linda / Lyndi

Linda McLaughlin/Lyndi Lamont

Romance author

Tag Archives: #halloweenreads