I’m handing over the blog to a fellow Soul Mate Publishing author, debut author Tracey A. Wood. Tracey shares her journey to that most exciting of days: release day! Yes, today is release day for Tracey’s suspenseful paranormal story, Midnight Angel.  Wait until you read the excerpt she’s posting!

Everything Happens for a Reason:

In 2010, I started to write my very first book, Midnight Angel. My husband and youngest son wondered why I was writing it and what I aimed to achieve? At that point, I didn’t really know, but I enjoyed myself and got those long dormant creative juices flowing. I tinkered with it on and off and even, at one point sent it to a publisher. Unfortunately, they turned out to be a self-publishing company, you know the sort. Have you written a book? We will publish it. Self-publishing is alright if you can afford to go down that route but their plans were an expense, I wasn’t prepared to pay. So I sat on my book and revisited it every now and then.

After going through a serious illness I decided to send my manuscript to Soulmate Publishing in New York and low and behold, Debbie Gilbert, the Senior Editor liked it. I had to tinker with it and then resubmit it but in 2015 she sent me a contract. Wooohooo!

I have been working hard, setting up my website, editing my book and generally preparing for my release date. If I hadn’t of been ill, I would probably still be sitting with my book on my computer. Reading it and re-reading it. So, in my opinion, everything does happen for a reason. I hope this give you, the reader, the push to follow your dreams. No matter what they are. Life really is too short.

Midnight Angel, the blurb:

After almost losing her life in a vicious, bloody attack. Kat Shaw, a thirty-something, divorcee, discovers that there are such things as monsters. And the predator who attacked her is not human. She starts to develop unusual skills which have murderous consequences. And is an unwilling witness to multiple, brutal murders, seen through the eyes a killer. Thrown into a battle of Good vs. Evil, she falls in love with two men who are not what they seem. While her attacker stalks her and continues to murder the innocent. She has to find the inner strength to take on and fight the demons from hell. To protect her family and friends while also trying to save her own life.

Midnight Angel, the excerpt:

The park was empty at this time of night. All the children had gone home hours ago. The nights were getting colder and the evening air bit through my clothes, making me shiver. A light dew clung to my hair and skin as the darkness closed in around me, shrouding me from the main road.

After a long day at work, I made my way along the manmade path. It was a good shortcut taking fifteen minutes off my journey. I would soon be home, safe and warm.

What to have for dinner? Hmm. Pizza! Yeah, I’ll dial a pizza. Treat myself. Why not?

Happy with my decision, I carried on my way.

Pulling my jacket collar up around my neck, I tried to beat the cold and the shiver running up my spine.

A sharp pain shot through my head, stunning me, and suddenly I was flying across the path. My forehead hit the ground with an audible thump. Another powerful flash of pain. Black blotches blurred my vision as I tried to focus on my surroundings.

I attempted to get up but something struck my back, flattening me to the ground. The wind rushed from my lungs. I couldn’t move! A heavy weight sat on my back, holding me down. I struggled to draw enough air into my lungs. Something sharp penetrated my back, then my arms and the top of my leg. It was pure agony!

What’s happening? Have I been stabbed?

Tucking my flailing hands under my body, I attempted to get up, a silent scream trapped inside me, but the weight held me in place.

Snaking my body, I wriggled across the compact soil of the path, attempting to pull myself forward. It was no use. I couldn’t even get to my hands and knees.

My clothes were ripped from my back as the onslaught continued.

The pain slowly dulled, even though I was still at the mercy of my attacker. My heart pounded with fear as this predator snatched at my body. I was shaken violently from side to side. My gut told me my attacker was male. He was dominant, strong, and overpowering.

Oh God, this can’t be happening. No, please. I don’t want to die!

Glancing around frantically for a weapon, I realized I still had my keys in my hand. Without thinking, I slashed them behind my back with as much force as I could. They bit into something soft. Warm fluid flowed over me.

I had hurt him and possibly made him angrier. This unseen person was going to do the unthinkable. He was going to violate me, rob me of my life, or both. I desperately needed to get away from this monster. But how? I couldn’t fight back. Damn it, I couldn’t even move.

Nausea washed over me as my body weakened, my life draining away. A dark mist clouded my mind, consuming me, consuming my thoughts. I was going to die here in a lonely, dark park in the middle of London. I would never see my family and friends again.

Why? Why? I want to live. Help me, please help me, someone!

As if this monster had heard my silent plea, the shaking suddenly stopped. The weight lifted slightly and I could breathe. Relief washed over me.

Had the attack finished? Did he think I was dead?

I lay still, faking death, struggling not to take deep, gulping breaths. I fought the panic pumping through my body.

I became aware of a stroking sensation on my back, a light caress. Small strokes, followed by a sound I could not identify. The strokes became harder and the noise louder. A wet, squelching sound.

What is that?

My head spun with confusion and panic as I strained to locate my attacker. I saw a movement from the corner of my eye. I turned but couldn’t focus. It was too dark and I was in shock.

Warm liquid ran down my back, arms, and legs. Blood. My blood, but there was no pain, still no pain.

In a moment of clarity, I knew I had to move. To get away before my attacker struck again.

About Tracey A. Wood:

Tracey A. Wood lives in Staffordshire, in the United Kingdom. She has been married for over thirty years and has two children. One of her boys lives at home due to being disabled the other has flown the coop. She has three cats that are her babies, and she talks to them all of the time. Funny thing is they don’t answer back.

She loves snowboarding, skiing, jumping out of aeroplanes and bungee jumping. Well, that is when other people are doing them. She prefers to have her nose in a book or writing one. She also loves to people watch which her husband is always telling her to stop doing. She has a job that she enjoys and works full time. Although if she won the lottery, that might change! She has also got a very good imagination.

In 2014, she decided to take the bull by the horns and send her manuscript to Soul Mate Publishing. She feels so privileged to have her book published, as this is the first one that she has written. It has made her dream of being a published author a reality. Life really is too short to wait, you’ve got to go for it. She is still working full time and is also working on another book in her limited spare time.  Her favourite saying is ‘Everything happens for a reason’ which she also believes is true.

Her books are fast paced and centred on a female lead who finds an inner strength after being thrown into situations that are beyond her control.

Find her at:

Website: http://traceywood.wix.com/tracey-a-wood

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TraceyAWood.Author

Twitter: https://twitter.com/traceya_wood

Google +: https://plus. google.com/+TraceyAWoodAuthor

Blog: http://tracey-a-wood.blogspot.com

WordPress: http://traceyawoodblog.wordpress.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/tracey_a_wood

Alina here: 

Thank you, Tracey, for stopping by my blog today! And I’m totally with you on the jumping out of and off of things business–great for other folks, not so much for me! Your book sounds amazing!

 

All images provided by Tracey A. Wood