Every Demon (writer) Has His Day by Cara Lockwood

First of all, a big thank you to Terra for letting me guest blog! Second, for those of you who don’t know me or who haven’t been privileged enough to be bombarded with my shameless self-promotion (www.caralockwood.com, www.twitter.com/caralockwood, www.myspace.com/caralockwood), let me introduce myself. I’m a chick lit writer (please, don’t judge me), who is probably best known for my first novel, “I Do (But I Don’t),” which was made into a Lifetime Original Movie a few years back starring Denise Richards before she went off the reservation, got divorced and began that painful reality show that I actually can’t stop watching.

My most recent novel is a departure from my past work. It’s called Every Demon Has His Day and it’s the first book in a series (the sequel, Can’t Teach an Old Demon New Tricks is out in 2010), and it’s your not-so-typical Girl meets Demon story, where our heroine discovers she’s the Chosen One who must prevent the conception of the Antichrist. Her only helpers are the ghost of her useless almost-ex husband and a talking French Bulldog in a pink sweater. Looks like God likes rooting for underdogs.

Constance Plyd is the heroine of our story, which takes place in Dogwood County, east Texas. Unbeknownst to the folks who live there, Dogwood is an ancient battleground between good and evil. Constance, who up until now was most famous for her chicken-fried steak recipe, discovers she has the “sight” and is the only one who can stop the devil from taking over the world.

As if that wasn’t enough of a problem, there’s the little issue of a demon having killed her soon-to-be ex-husband, and sexy sheriff Nathan Garrett suspecting she had more than a little to do with her husband’s untimely demise. Constance and Nathan have a history. Back in the day, Nathan relieved Constance of her virginity and then forgot to call. She’s been holding a grudge a long while, and when Nathan saunters back into her life (cocky smile and good looks still intact ten years later) Constance isn’t happy to see him.

When Constance has a vision telling her pop princess Dante London is going to give birth to the Antichrist, she feels she has to try to warn her, and goes to the set of her movie, being filmed on a ranch in Dogwood. She has a run-in there with the sheriff, and well, I’ll let the book speak for itself…

The crowds of people she’d seen before milling and working on the set had disappeared, and she guessed it was dinner time, or they had wrapped for the night.

The set was a little eerie so empty, and Constance picked up her pace.

She didn’t get another step before two strong hands came at her from behind, one of them wrapping around her mouth, and pulling her in between two white trailers.

Her first thought was – demon. Should she struggle? Scream? And why wasn’t she at least wearing a cross? Damn her lack of planning.

Before she could decide her next step, she was whirled around and came face to face with Nathan Garrett.

“Now, before I arrest you,” he drawled, his face close and his dark eyes on hers. “Would you like to tell me just what on earth you’re doing here?”

Constance felt her heart speed up, and she wasn’t entirely sure it was just because she was still mad as hell at him. Nathan’s hands were strong and big around her arms and she couldn’t help but remember the last time they were this close he unhooked her bra with one hand.

“None of your business,” she said, crossly.

“I think it is my business,” he said, tightening his grip slightly. “Since you’re supposed to be at the police station.”

“Ow, fine, stop the police brutality,” she said, trying to wiggle free. “I’m trying to get an autograph.”

The lie sat awkwardly on her tongue. She hated to lie. Every inch of her being rebelled against it, and yet, she couldn’t very well tell Nathan the truth. He’d lock her up in a second. The space between the trailers Nathan had pulled her into was snug, and she was inches from him. Even as he loosened his grip on her arms, she felt like he sucked the oxygen right out of the air. She couldn’t breathe.

Nathan was looking at her skeptically, his dark eyes penetrating and sharp. She couldn’t fool him.

“You’re a Dante London fan?” Nathan said, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He found this funny, apparently. Constance had to admit she wasn’t likely to be following teen pop.

“Oh, um, well, not exactly.”

“So do you want to tell me what in Sam hell you were doing in her trailer just now?”

“Yes, I know, I, uh, well…” Constance struggled to think. It didn’t help that his nose was inches from hers, or that he smelled like cinnamon gum. And she forgot how broad he was. She felt tiny by comparison.

Focus Constance, she told herself. This was a heck of a time to be distracted by a Garrett, especially one in a sheriff’s uniform sporting sharp brown eyes that seemed to know everything she was going to say before she said it. Not to mention, she was mad at him. Mad.

“Just trying to drum up business for the Magnolia Café,” Constance said, thinking fast. “I brought samples.”

Nathan slouched back against the trailer, crossing his arms across his broad chest. “I believe you’re lying to me, Constance Plyd.”

“Am not.”

“So you going to tell me what you’re really doing here?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” she managed, meeting his gaze with more bravery than she felt at the moment.

“Try me,” Nathan said, leaning even closer. She had to crane her neck to meet his eyes, which were so close to hers now that she could see his pupils. They were round and big and dark. He was moving in, and she reflexively put up a hand which met his chest. It was strong and solid, and she could swear she felt his heart beating beneath the uniform.

“I….” Constance began, faltering. She felt like he had her in some kind of magnetic lock, a Garrett tractor beam, and she couldn’t help but move closer to him. She found herself arching on tip toes.

And then she did something she never imagined she’d ever do again her whole life.

She up and kissed Nathan Garrett straight on the lips.

Liked what you read? Want to read more? Or, do you just want to help me put my two girls through college? (while neither has actually started kindergarten, yet, I should say it’s never too early to donate to the Lockwood Girls College Fund) Then, by all means buy my book. You can find it on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Every-Demon-Has-His-Day/dp/1416550526/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235839353&sr=1-1) or at Barnes and Noble (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Every-Demon-Has-His-Day/Cara-Lockwood/e/9781416550525/?itm=1).

Leave Cara a question about her article or book and your email addy to be entered to win one of two signed books that she will be giving away. Winners will be announced at the end of the week.