Hello and welcome to another Weekend Writing Warriors post!
Thank you to all those who visited last weekend! This weekend, I'm sharing a snippet from the fifth book in my Shifter Towers series, DEMON ON JACKSON STREET. It is set to release on January 18, 2021. Like all the other books in this series, it is an MM paranormal romance.
Set-up: This snippet is from the very beginning, to introduce you to Toby. Enjoy! (In Toby's point of view)
“Here’s your money.”
I took the bills from the shift manager as she closed the cash register. Forty dollars for a ten-hour shift. Not even minimum wage, but it was money I didn’t have to claim on my taxes. Money that would go toward paying for my grandmother’s weekly medication and allow me to pick up a few groceries as well. “Thank you. Would you like me to come in tomorrow?”
“Naw.” Becky waved her hand in the air. “We don’t need you again until Thursday. Eleven a.m. Don’t be late.”
**And here's a little more for your reading pleasure.**
I nodded, though I didn’t understand why she always said that to me. I’d never been late since she’d been promoted to manager after a month of working at the secondhand store or for the two years I’d worked there before she’d even started.
I grabbed my jacket from the staff room at the back then left the store. At the other end of the strip mall was the drugstore where I had Mimi’s prescription filled.
Mr. Gilli had the medication ready for me when I stepped up to the counter. “Good evening, Toby. How was your day?”
“Fine, thank you.” My response never varied. Because nothing in my life ever changed. I worked a dead-end job for next to nothing, and, when I wasn’t there, I was with my sick grandmother. Never anywhere else. And it’s not as if there would ever be any departure from the monotony that was my life.
DEMON ON JACKSON STREET
Shifter Towers book five
Jet
Once upon a time there was a demon who was the best at convincing people to sell their souls. That was me. Is me. And now I have a new assignment, one Father told me would be difficult. I didn’t know what “difficult” meant until I met the young man, someone who has barely anything. Collecting his soul should be easy, right? There are so many things I can give him. Except, he doesn’t believe he deserves a better life. I have to find something he desires before the assignment is given to my brother. Because Crow uses the most villainous means to obtain souls. Lines I don’t cross. And I don’t want to see Toby hurt. There has to be another way.
Toby
I’m not like them. I can’t shift into a predator to defend myself, or even into a small rodent to run and hide. The wolf shifters know that every time they rough me up and steal my food. I always wish for a guardian angel to protect me from them. Then one day Jet appears, looking nothing like the angel I’d imagined. But I don’t know if I should trust him. He makes me feel things no other alpha ever has. Dangerous things. Not good when I have to stay focused on my grandmother. I don’t know how much longer I’ll have her around.
RELEASES JANUARY 18!
AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER:
The first book in the series,
BUNNY OMEGA ON THE RUN
is available in digital and print:
The second book in the series,
MINK OMEGA IN HIDING
is available in digital and print:
The third book in the series,
PIKA OMEGA PLUS ONE
is available in digital and print:
The fourth book in the series,
HIS OMEGA ON STAGE
is available in digital and print:
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Sounds like she has a very predictable, boring existence. I'm sure that's about to change, though!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say his life is boring. But, things are about to change for him.
DeleteThat poor guy. No hope. How sad. His care for his grandmother makes him a sympathetic character. I don't want to see him hurt.
ReplyDeleteI apologize now. His life definitely isn't an easy one.
DeleteHe's flat-lining with no hope of rescue...vulnerable. Well done.
ReplyDeleteYes, exactly. Thank you, Gem!
DeleteYou captured the indifference of the shift manager to the plight of our hero in a few short sentences. Nice.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sue!
DeleteSo sad. Hope there will be joy in his life soon.
ReplyDeleteTweeted.
The joy does come, but it takes a while for him to get there.
DeleteGreat set up for the book to come. We can all relate to feeling humdrum at times.
ReplyDeleteHis life is a little more than humdrum. You'll see in future snippets.
DeleteYou've described a rather sad existence.
ReplyDeleteThank you! That's exactly what his life is like.
DeleteI'm wondering about Toby's circumstances we don't know yet. Why he was passed over for manager when he'd been there longer than Becky. Is this his regular job or just a side job? He does say this money won't be on his taxes, which suggests another paying job as well. So many questions about his background I want to know! Great snippet!
ReplyDeleteGreat questions, Jenna! And all are answered in the story. ;)
DeletePretty soon he'll be missing the monotony, lol! Trouble is just around the corner. Hope it's good trouble.
ReplyDeleteI don't think he'll ever miss what his life is like at this point, but things are about to change, for better or worse.
DeleteNice job creating empathy for this sad creature who doesn't dare dream for anything more...yet.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nancy!
DeleteI really relate to Toby, having grown up working-class myself. Hopefully it won't take long for his luck to finally start turning around.
ReplyDeleteI grew up working-class as well. Things are about to change soon, but I have to give you a little more about his life first.
DeletePoor guy. I wonder if his grandma knows how much he's giving up for her, and if that's even what she'd want him to do.
ReplyDeleteHis grandma knows some of what goes on, but not everything. He hides a lot from her.
DeleteIntriguing snippet, really gives us the picture of what his life is like. Can't wait for more!
ReplyDeleteHe doesn't have an exciting life for sure.
ReplyDeleteNot exciting in a good way.
DeleteSounds like Toby will convert Jet quicker than the other way around. :-) I like Toby already. His sense of family loyalty is admirable.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Kate!
DeleteI already see (from the blurb) that Jet will have some BIG conflict in this story. I like the premise. You do a great job of making Toby a sympathetic character early in the story!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the upcoming release. I don't know how you do it!
Yes, both characters will have to deal with a lot of internal conflict, but some external conflict as well. Thank you, Teresa! I've had this story planned since the end of 2019. But, I had two stories to finish first. Being stuck at home during the pandemic gave me more writing time.
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