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| Excerpt One |
| Unedited Excerpts from The Holiday Spirit © copyright 2008 Dani Harper |
| Download available NOW from Cobblestone Press http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/ books/holidayspirit.htm |
With the main blaze knocked down, it was time to check for hotspots. He had men on the roof, others poking
around the back of the building. They were looking for smoke escaping from odd places, any sign that the fire had
spread into the walls. Galen walked the perimeter, intent on the building and his men. He had no eyes for the
crowd, didn't see anyone cross the yellow tape. Until he spotted a black-coated figure slipping into a side door.
"Hey! Hey you, get out of there!" he yelled into the megaphone. There were no cops close at hand. His men were
busy. Galen threw down the megaphone and ran for the door. "Hey! Come back here!" The power was out but
there were emergency lights, shining through a light haze of smoke. He couldn't see the man, but the echo of
footsteps on the stairs above was plain. Great--he'd have to chase him down. He thumbed the radio clipped to his
collar. "Brady, take over for a minute, will ya? I've got a civilian loose in the building. Send a couple guys in after
me when you can, west side door. Better bring me some breathing apparatus, just in case."
"Roger that."
Galen took the stairs two at a time. The smoke wasn't bad, thank God, although he'd likely cough all night. He
paused at the landing, straining to listen but heard nothing. Then it came--the snick of a door latch. He walked
slowly along the dim hallway, trying to be as quiet as possible although it was damn difficult to be stealthy in his
heavy gear. His crew had checked every apartment, first for residents, then for hotspots. All the doors were open
now. Except one. He tried the knob, but it was locked. His throat was raw, his eyes were stinging from the smoke
that hung in the air, and he just didn't feel like being polite. He hammered on the door and shouted. When there was
no response, he simply kicked it down. Fire had severely damaged this apartment and the windows were blackened
with soot. He shone a flashlight around, searching for the man but seeing no one. Great. Just what he needed, a
frickin' game of hide and seek. "I know you're in here, mister. You need to come outside, now. It's for your own
safety. This building hasn't been cleared."
Something white caught his eye and he looked down. There were lines on the charred floor, crisscrossing lines
freshly drawn with what looked like poured sand or maybe salt. The course grains glittered under the flashlight
beam and the hairs on the back of his neck prickled. In a flash, the pattern made sense. He was standing in the
midst of an enormous star. He didn't know what the star was or what it meant, only that every instinct he had was
telling him to get out of it, fast.
Just as he turned to leap away, a man in a long dark coat stepped out of the shadows and Galen knew it was
already too late.
This excerpt was from the new paranormal novella
The Holiday Spirit
© copyright 2008 Dani Harper
AVAILABLE NOW as a downloadable ebook from
Cobblestone Press www.cobblestone-press.com
Direct Purchase Link: www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/holidayspirit.htm
around the back of the building. They were looking for smoke escaping from odd places, any sign that the fire had
spread into the walls. Galen walked the perimeter, intent on the building and his men. He had no eyes for the
crowd, didn't see anyone cross the yellow tape. Until he spotted a black-coated figure slipping into a side door.
"Hey! Hey you, get out of there!" he yelled into the megaphone. There were no cops close at hand. His men were
busy. Galen threw down the megaphone and ran for the door. "Hey! Come back here!" The power was out but
there were emergency lights, shining through a light haze of smoke. He couldn't see the man, but the echo of
footsteps on the stairs above was plain. Great--he'd have to chase him down. He thumbed the radio clipped to his
collar. "Brady, take over for a minute, will ya? I've got a civilian loose in the building. Send a couple guys in after
me when you can, west side door. Better bring me some breathing apparatus, just in case."
"Roger that."
Galen took the stairs two at a time. The smoke wasn't bad, thank God, although he'd likely cough all night. He
paused at the landing, straining to listen but heard nothing. Then it came--the snick of a door latch. He walked
slowly along the dim hallway, trying to be as quiet as possible although it was damn difficult to be stealthy in his
heavy gear. His crew had checked every apartment, first for residents, then for hotspots. All the doors were open
now. Except one. He tried the knob, but it was locked. His throat was raw, his eyes were stinging from the smoke
that hung in the air, and he just didn't feel like being polite. He hammered on the door and shouted. When there was
no response, he simply kicked it down. Fire had severely damaged this apartment and the windows were blackened
with soot. He shone a flashlight around, searching for the man but seeing no one. Great. Just what he needed, a
frickin' game of hide and seek. "I know you're in here, mister. You need to come outside, now. It's for your own
safety. This building hasn't been cleared."
Something white caught his eye and he looked down. There were lines on the charred floor, crisscrossing lines
freshly drawn with what looked like poured sand or maybe salt. The course grains glittered under the flashlight
beam and the hairs on the back of his neck prickled. In a flash, the pattern made sense. He was standing in the
midst of an enormous star. He didn't know what the star was or what it meant, only that every instinct he had was
telling him to get out of it, fast.
Just as he turned to leap away, a man in a long dark coat stepped out of the shadows and Galen knew it was
already too late.
This excerpt was from the new paranormal novella
The Holiday Spirit
© copyright 2008 Dani Harper
AVAILABLE NOW as a downloadable ebook from
Cobblestone Press www.cobblestone-press.com
Direct Purchase Link: www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/holidayspirit.htm
| Excerpt Two |
Arms groaning under the weight of too many shopping bags, Kerri Tollbrook stood transfixed in front of the mall's
enormous toy store, her eyes on the animated display of the latest video game system. Onscreen, a hulking forest
troll battled a dragon. Blood shot everywhere as the dragon bit off the troll's arm, then the troll split the dragon's
skull with an axe. A small contingent of soldiers appeared and sliced at the pair with swords. More blood spurted
and pooled.
"Get the kid a bike," said a tall man beside her.
She nodded, still watching the screen in horrified fascination. A flock of gryphons suddenly swooped down.
"Eeyew!" she said as they began messily devouring the soldiers. "My nephew is convinced that he wants this game
for Christmas."
"How old is he?"
"Ten."
"Way too young. Hell, I'm too young. And where's the warm fuzzy feeling in wrapping all that gore as a Christmas
present?"
"I agree with you." Kerri's eyes were still riveted to the screen, but the rest of her couldn't help but notice that the
man had a great voice. Deep, melodic, the kind of voice that vibrated pleasantly inside her. "Christmas is supposed
to be a magical time of year."
"Supposed to be. Not always."
The sudden sadness in the words jolted her into turning away from the window. Her eyes widened as she looked
at the owner of the voice. Not because he was broad-shouldered and powerfully built. Not because he had the
rugged features of an action hero. Not even because his eyes were an intriguing blend of blue and gold. But
because she could see right through him, all the way to the nineteen-foot Christmas tree on the other end of the
brightly-lit mall.
"You're a ghost!"
He looked shocked. "You can see me?"
"What's the big surprise? You didn't react when I could hear you."
"It's not the same. Lots of people hear me, but they usually chalk it up to their own thoughts. I talk and they think
they just had a great idea. But nobody sees me. Why aren't you running away, screaming?"
Kerri shrugged. "I see the dead all the time. It's what I do."
"It's what you—wait a minute, I'm not dead!"
Instinctively, she glanced around. A couple seated on a bench by the indoor waterfall were watching her and
whispering to each other. Uh-oh. She looked like she was talking to herself again. At least the noise from the
cascading water and the incessant Christmas music from the sound system likely drowned out what she had been
saying. She turned her face back to the game display, lowering her voice just in case. "We need to continue this
without an audience. Besides, I have to put this stuff in the car before my arms get longer." Too bad she couldn't
ask the guy to carry her bags. He looked like he could portage a piano without breaking a sweat. Ah well, big and
strong didn't count for a lot once someone had died. It certainly didn't help them accept their new reality and move
on. Fate must have led the guy to her for help. Her tired feet protested, but she walked briskly through the mall,
anxious to get to the parking lot. The crowds of trudging shoppers yielded to her determination and made way for
her.
"I'm not dead," he said frequently. She didn't dare answer until they'd passed the mall security guard and left
through the double doors.
"Yes, you are!" she whispered fiercely.
"I'm not. Believe me, I'd know if I was."
"You're a disembodied spirit in denial. You're going to make this so much harder for yourself."
"Make what?"
"Crossing over. Moving on. It's what you need to do."
Exasperation showed on his face. "What I need is your help."
This excerpt was from the new paranormal novella
The Holiday Spirit
© copyright 2008 Dani Harper
AVAILABLE NOW as a downloadable ebook from
Cobblestone Press www.cobblestone-press.com
Direct Purchase Link: www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/holidayspirit.htm
enormous toy store, her eyes on the animated display of the latest video game system. Onscreen, a hulking forest
troll battled a dragon. Blood shot everywhere as the dragon bit off the troll's arm, then the troll split the dragon's
skull with an axe. A small contingent of soldiers appeared and sliced at the pair with swords. More blood spurted
and pooled.
"Get the kid a bike," said a tall man beside her.
She nodded, still watching the screen in horrified fascination. A flock of gryphons suddenly swooped down.
"Eeyew!" she said as they began messily devouring the soldiers. "My nephew is convinced that he wants this game
for Christmas."
"How old is he?"
"Ten."
"Way too young. Hell, I'm too young. And where's the warm fuzzy feeling in wrapping all that gore as a Christmas
present?"
"I agree with you." Kerri's eyes were still riveted to the screen, but the rest of her couldn't help but notice that the
man had a great voice. Deep, melodic, the kind of voice that vibrated pleasantly inside her. "Christmas is supposed
to be a magical time of year."
"Supposed to be. Not always."
The sudden sadness in the words jolted her into turning away from the window. Her eyes widened as she looked
at the owner of the voice. Not because he was broad-shouldered and powerfully built. Not because he had the
rugged features of an action hero. Not even because his eyes were an intriguing blend of blue and gold. But
because she could see right through him, all the way to the nineteen-foot Christmas tree on the other end of the
brightly-lit mall.
"You're a ghost!"
He looked shocked. "You can see me?"
"What's the big surprise? You didn't react when I could hear you."
"It's not the same. Lots of people hear me, but they usually chalk it up to their own thoughts. I talk and they think
they just had a great idea. But nobody sees me. Why aren't you running away, screaming?"
Kerri shrugged. "I see the dead all the time. It's what I do."
"It's what you—wait a minute, I'm not dead!"
Instinctively, she glanced around. A couple seated on a bench by the indoor waterfall were watching her and
whispering to each other. Uh-oh. She looked like she was talking to herself again. At least the noise from the
cascading water and the incessant Christmas music from the sound system likely drowned out what she had been
saying. She turned her face back to the game display, lowering her voice just in case. "We need to continue this
without an audience. Besides, I have to put this stuff in the car before my arms get longer." Too bad she couldn't
ask the guy to carry her bags. He looked like he could portage a piano without breaking a sweat. Ah well, big and
strong didn't count for a lot once someone had died. It certainly didn't help them accept their new reality and move
on. Fate must have led the guy to her for help. Her tired feet protested, but she walked briskly through the mall,
anxious to get to the parking lot. The crowds of trudging shoppers yielded to her determination and made way for
her.
"I'm not dead," he said frequently. She didn't dare answer until they'd passed the mall security guard and left
through the double doors.
"Yes, you are!" she whispered fiercely.
"I'm not. Believe me, I'd know if I was."
"You're a disembodied spirit in denial. You're going to make this so much harder for yourself."
"Make what?"
"Crossing over. Moving on. It's what you need to do."
Exasperation showed on his face. "What I need is your help."
This excerpt was from the new paranormal novella
The Holiday Spirit
© copyright 2008 Dani Harper
AVAILABLE NOW as a downloadable ebook from
Cobblestone Press www.cobblestone-press.com
Direct Purchase Link: www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/holidayspirit.htm
Dani Harper writes paranormal romance you can really sink your teeth into...
| Excerpt Three |
Excited barks and yips sounded above them and a stocky black pug raced down the stairs. After ten years, Kerri
still didn't know how George managed not to tumble headfirst.
"What the heck is that?" asked Galen as he caught sight of the pug's jack-o'-lantern grin. "You said you had a dog,
not a goblin."
"Hey, be nice. This is George. George say hello to—" But she didn't have to finish. The little dog trotted directly
over to her insubstantial companion, hindquarters wagging.
Galen looked stunned. "He can see me!" He dropped to one knee and ran his hands carefully over the dog's thick
coat. Kerri saw the fur move a scant second after the hands passed, and wondered again at Galen's skill.
Meanwhile, George seemed to be in heaven, turning every which way to garner more rubs. Finally the pug flopped
onto his back with his feet in the air, his wrinkly face and bulging eyes looking rather crazed from the odd angle.
Galen laughed again and rubbed the well-fed belly.
This excerpt was from the new paranormal novella
The Holiday Spirit
© copyright 2008 Dani Harper
AVAILABLE NOW as a downloadable ebook from
Cobblestone Press www.cobblestone-press.com
Direct Purchase Link: www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/holidayspirit.htm
still didn't know how George managed not to tumble headfirst.
"What the heck is that?" asked Galen as he caught sight of the pug's jack-o'-lantern grin. "You said you had a dog,
not a goblin."
"Hey, be nice. This is George. George say hello to—" But she didn't have to finish. The little dog trotted directly
over to her insubstantial companion, hindquarters wagging.
Galen looked stunned. "He can see me!" He dropped to one knee and ran his hands carefully over the dog's thick
coat. Kerri saw the fur move a scant second after the hands passed, and wondered again at Galen's skill.
Meanwhile, George seemed to be in heaven, turning every which way to garner more rubs. Finally the pug flopped
onto his back with his feet in the air, his wrinkly face and bulging eyes looking rather crazed from the odd angle.
Galen laughed again and rubbed the well-fed belly.
This excerpt was from the new paranormal novella
The Holiday Spirit
© copyright 2008 Dani Harper
AVAILABLE NOW as a downloadable ebook from
Cobblestone Press www.cobblestone-press.com
Direct Purchase Link: www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/holidayspirit.htm
Kerri hadn't heard him laugh before. For a few moments he looked carefree, just a
regular guy having fun with a dog. Ordinary and yet more…. Suddenly she
realized she could get used to this man being part of her ordinary everyday life. Of
course, her life wouldn't look one bit ordinary to Galen, even considering his
present condition. And why was she even thinking about such things when she'd
only just met him?
"I'll just leave you boys to your male bonding while I put some things away."
regular guy having fun with a dog. Ordinary and yet more…. Suddenly she
realized she could get used to this man being part of her ordinary everyday life. Of
course, her life wouldn't look one bit ordinary to Galen, even considering his
present condition. And why was she even thinking about such things when she'd
only just met him?
"I'll just leave you boys to your male bonding while I put some things away."
| George |
| "Dani Harper brings the magic of Christmas to life" ParaNormalRomance.org |
| "Blending magic and mayhem into a romantic and sexy novella that you can read again and again" FallenAngelReviews.com |