McKenna Jeffries

Today’s snippet theme is Near Death Experience. Below is a scene from a book that I wrote with authors Aliyah Burke and Taige Crenshaw for our free read site called Satin Notes. Enjoy.

An snippet from Magnetism…

Prologue

Kira Winters didn’t need the scent of blood to know she was dying. She was so numb and cold. She had no idea how long she had been laying on the ledge on the side of the cliff. Time had lost all meaning. All she knew was pain. The pain of stupidity. The agony of loss.

Challen, her newly-found twin brother, was dead. Dead because of her. The sight of him falling, then being swallowed up by the fog, was constantly replaying in her mind. The day had been bright and beautiful. They had decided to go for a hike along the Velen Cliffs, one of the highest points in Savoy Valley. The view from the cliffs was one of exquisite beauty. Challen had been teasing her. The memory of his laughing face made her eyes sting.

Oh God. I wasted so much time.

Regret filled her. When Challen had come to her, claiming to be a brother she had never known of, she had welcomed him. Yet she hadn’t made time to spend with him. She had been busy working on the expansion of her business. Besides, she figured they had all the time in the world. She had been without family, at least family by blood, and figured they would find time eventually. Her friends, who she thought of as her true family, had accepted him also.

Challen had not given up on spending time with her. He had kept coming around for months and helping wherever he could. He gained her respect for his unwavering refusal to give up. Then she learned to accept him for his kindness and strength. Six months after she had met him, she’d finally let him talk her into a day together away from her restaurant. After that first time, she’d made more time to get to know her brother. They had started to explore more of Savoy Valley, places she loved and some she hadn’t known.

Although Challen had recently moved to Savoy Valley, and she had lived there for almost three years, he knew more places then she did. The hike to Velen Cliffs—“a bonding expedition” as Challen called it–was their latest adventure. When they had reached the bluff, Challen had put his arm around her shoulders while she had looked out at the sheer beauty of the ocean and cliffs.

A sound was the only warning before all hell had come down upon them. Suddenly, Challen had spun to face the open area behind them. Kira didn’t want to believe what she had seen. David, the man she had thought loved her, was leading a group of animals. Yes, they had to be animals. There was no such thing as shape-shifters. There couldn’t be. But then, why had their attackers looked like they did? Some appeared to be half-man and part animal. Their top halves were those of human men, but the bottom parts looked like snakes, wolves, and tigers. Her mind could not believe it. Pacing beside them was actual snakes, wolves and tigers. All of them had hissed and growled, fangs dripping. They had rushed Kira and Challen, claws extended to rip out whatever they could reach.

David had flashed his killer grin at her as he picked up Challen, who had stepped in front of Kira to protect her. David tossed him away like he was a useless toy. Trying to help her brother, Kira had stumbled to the edge of the cliff to reach for him.

“Heller will p–“ Challen screamed. Leaning over the edge, she had grabbed for him even though she knew it was too late. She had watched his pale grey eyes as he fell and was engulfed by the fog. She had no time to even process it as something dragged her from the edge. Turning, she had looked down to see one of the things holding her ankle. It fell on her, ripping her flesh. The agony of the first cut had made her mind block out the pain. David just stood there and watched as the other animals joined in, tearing at her piece by piece.

Blood had poured from everywhere. How could a human body lose so much and survive? The day passed into night as they tortured her in unimaginable ways. Each time she thought she would die, they would back off, then come back to start all over again. The day that had started with such promise was now a living hell. Challen had screamed it as he fell, and she was living it, replaying each moment as they bled her of life. The sun went up, then down again as she lay there waiting for the end. She had heard their whispered plan to take her with them. The thought stalled the breath in her body. She couldn’t take it. Determination filled her.

Using her last strength, she had gathered herself to wait. When they came to drag her away with them, Kira fought and ran, jumping off the cliff, knowing she would die.

But the death she had prayed for didn’t come. She had landed on this ledge. As her thoughts returned to the present, Kira didn’t know if she should be grateful to be alive or cursing that she wasn’t dead. She knew they would find her; it was only a matter of time. Opening her eyes, Kira watched as the night faded and the sun lit the sky. Staring at the sun, she prayed again for death. Hoped it would find her before they did. Her breath started to hiccup and go shallow. A small smile curved her lips, making her face ache. She lay there, waiting for death to take her.

Then a sound came from above. Kira stilled, fearing she had imagined it. It came again. It was her name. Someone was calling her name. She was silent, in case it was them. Her name came again, and then a voice she knew as well as her own called.

“Ria!”

Tears burned her eyes, making her vision blur.

She didn’t even think she could answer, but she tried. “Here.”

It came out in barely a whisper. Frustration welled in her, and tears fell faster, stinging her cut face.

Taking a deep breath, she ignored the pain racing through her and tried again.

“Here.” Louder this time.

Then again. “Here!” she yelled, with an effort that hurt her throat.

Weak, she lay there waiting. But she pushed away the need for death, hoping they had heard.

Suddenly, she felt gentle hands on her, but the pain still burned. Biting her lip to still the screams, she felt herself being lifted up and up. Hands grabbed her. A roar of agony ripped the air. Kira didn’t realize it was coming from her. Blackness started to overtake her. The last thing she saw before she lost consciousness was the worried and anguished faces of her best friends, Mika Kendrick and Zanna Mattis.

As she slipped into oblivion, Kira’s last thought was of survival, so she could take vengeance for the hell she had been forced to live, and for the death of the man she had finally accepted as her brother.

I will find them and make them pay.

Copyright © 2008 Aliyah Burke, McKenna Jeffries and Taige Crenshaw.
All Rights Reserved, Satin Notes.

Check out the rest of Magnetism and more free reads at Satin Notes - http://satinnotes.com

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Today’s snippet theme is Parties. Enjoy.

An snippet from Conquering Jazz…

Looking around for Jasmine, he found her. He wanted to devour her. Noticing all the men hanging around her, he wanted to rip her away from them. Scowling, he started toward her, intent on claiming his woman.

Jasmine glanced up, and the smile on her face gave him hope. She made her way across the floor to him until they met in the middle. Stopping in front of him, she smiled tentatively.

“Jasmine, what the hell are you up to?” Reese demanded.

Her heart leaped when he called her Jasmine. She moved closer to him, until her body pressed against his. They both inhaled sharply at the contact. Flustered, she forgot what she was going to say. His gaze ensnared her. His eyes dilated and turned to smoky topaz. His erection pressed against her. Her arousal came sharply and swiftly.

Angrily, he tried to back up, but she hung on to him. Looking away, he said, “I’m finished being pushed aside, Jasmine. I’m finished waiting for you to make up your mind. It’s now or never.”

His abrasive tone made her wince slightly, and altered her plans. Touching his cheek, she turned his head until he looked at her again. A huge smile spread across his face at her words.

“I want you. Only you, Reese. I want the whole world to know how much I want you. I’ll shout it from the rooftops if that’s what you want.”

Glancing around, she was startled to see her brothers in the far corner, restraining her girlfriends. Before she could find out what was going on, Reese hauled her up against him tightly.

“That’s okay. I think everyone heard you already.”

Sealing his mouth to hers, he kissed her hungrily. Pulling her even tighter against him, Reese devoured her mouth, and she his. She forgot about everyone in the room. They were oblivious to the loud cheering around them.

Copyright © McKenna Jeffries, 2008.
All Rights Reserved, Liquid Silver Books.

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:

Vivian Arend
Moira Rogers
Ashley Ladd
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Today’s snippet theme is Secondary Characters. Enjoy.

An snippet from Conquering Jazz…

Laughing, Mia replied, “You know I’m a wicked woman with any type of food. But chocolate syrup is more my thing. Give me a bottle and I’m wild.”

“So, that’s why you pawned my account off on one of your employees?” demanded a deep baritone voice from the door behind Mia.

“Uh-oh. She’s going to blow,” Jasmine whispered.

Ignoring her, Mia replied in a scratchy, tight voice, without turning around. “Yes. So I can have time for my legion of men, who know what they want and can make up their damned minds.”

From the corner of her eye, Mia saw Jermaine’s muscular thighs come into view. Distracted by his nearness, she was caught unaware as he hauled her up out of the chair to face him.

“Well, your legion will have to wait. You aren’t going to leave my party in the hands of some incompetent idiot.”

Jasmine looked on in disbelief as they circled each other like boxers.

Jerking her arm from his hand, Mia replied through clenched teeth. “We don’t have incompetent people working here. But we do have difficult clients.” Mia looked pointedly at him. “We are more than happy to serve you the best we can by pairing you with a more compatible individual.”

Crossing his arms over his muscular chest, Jermaine scoffed. “I want you to plan the party, or I will take my business elsewhere. Unless you’re afraid you can’t handle a party like this.”

Sputtering, Mia answered, “I can handle any party, even your rinky-dink one, with my eyes closed.”

“Good, then it’s settled. When can we meet to talk over the changes we discussed last time?”

Mia’s gaze glittered dangerously. “We will not discuss anything. If you don’t want Vivian, you can…” Jasmine put her hand over Mia’s mouth from behind, muffling her as she kept talking.

Laughing, Jermaine reclined on Jasmine’s desk. “Hi Sis. Sorry for the interruption. My planner and I had a slight miscommunication. We’re working it out.” He gestured toward Mia, as she continued to rave behind Jasmine’s hand.

Jasmine watched uneasily as Jermaine’s expression turned speculative. “I haven’t seen much of you lately. Where have you been? Every time I call, you brush me off, or you’re not at home. So what have you been up to?”

Damn! He suspects something, Jasmine thought.

Clearing her throat, Jasmine replied, “Oh, I’ve just been busy, that’s all. Sorry I haven’t come by. I meant to get together with you, J. So how is everything going?”

“Everything is fine, but you’re not going to get off that easy. Where have you been? None of us has heard anything from you in weeks. So what’s going on? If I didn’t know better, I would swear you have a new boyfriend. But you always let us check him out, so, nah, that can’t be it.”

Guiltily, Jasmine laughed. “You’re so full of crap. I don’t let you check anyone out. You all get crazy and try to scare them away.” She wasn’t fooled by the innocent look on Jermaine face.

“Who, us? We’re harmless,” he said. “We just want what’s best for our little sis. And I want to make sure nobody takes advantage of my second half.”

“‘Best’ my foot. Buy a clue, J. We’re twins, so we’re the same age, bro. I’m not your little sis. You and the rest of our brothers just like to interfere and get revenge.”

Jermaine’s brown eyes twinkled as he grinned mischievously. “That too. But who can blame us, after all the pranks you’ve pulled.”

They laughed. Jasmine glanced at Mia, whose eyes still glittered as she stood silently. She glanced back at Jermaine as he spoke.

“I think she’s run out of energy now. You can let her go.”

Gingerly, Jasmine withdrew her hand. Mia slapped her on the arm, saying, “Don’t do that again. I know he’s your brother. I wasn’t going to hurt him–too much.”

Chuckling, Jasmine whispered, “I know, but I wanted to make sure you didn’t say something you would regret–although he is a pain in the ass sometimes.” They ignored him as he made a rude noise. “Jermaine is a client.”

The glare Mia gave Jermaine could have melted steel as she said loudly, “Yes, he’s more than a pain in the ass. He is a …Ouch! Stop that.” She rubbed her arm where Jasmine had pinched her. She continued to glare at Jermaine.

He returned her glare with a smirk. The tension in the room thickened.

“If you think I’ll work with you on anything, you are sadly mistaken,” Mia said.

“Oh no, I’m not. You are, if you think I’ll let you pawn me off like some chump to someone else. If you can’t be mature, that’s your problem.” He straightened his six-foot-four frame from his lounging position on Jasmine’s desk.

The verbal slings continued and escalated as Jasmine watched, trying not to laugh. Jermaine stalked across the carpet until he stood in Mia’s face. Mia was only slightly shorter than him, and in her heels, she almost met him eye to eye. They seemed like two cats, bristling at each other.

Then Jasmine’s eyes widened. There was more than animosity in their body language as they argued with each other. Mia stepped back as Jermaine advanced on her. Catching herself, Mia stood her ground. Jermaine reached her, and Jasmine watched in fascination as her normally cold brother proceeded to try and haul Mia up off her feet.

Copyright © McKenna Jeffries, 2008.
All Rights Reserved, Liquid Silver Books.

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:

Vivian Arend
Moira Rogers
Ashley Ladd
Anya Bast
Jaci Burton
Kelly Maher
Lauren Dane
Leah Braemel
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McKenna Jeffries
Sasha White
Taige Crenshaw
Shelli Stevens
Shelley Munro
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