The nine traditional Greek Muses,
who are now living on Earth, find their everyday lives disrupted by the
appearance of a mysterious mortal who is developing powers beyond human
capabilities. After Dan Gordon falls in love with Terpischore, he finds himself
in the midst of a power struggle between the forces of Heaven and the denizens
of Hades – with the winner claiming his heart and soul.
Bemused and Bedeviled takes you
into the drama-filled lives of the nine sisters, headed up by the impetuous
Terpischore, oversexed Melpomene, irascible Calliope, and the impossibly
cheerful Euterpe. On the dark side, Lucifer and his three Sirens – the
level-headed Calypso, wrathful Celestia, and the effervescent Chanteuse – deal
with their own darker issues. The representatives of good and evil vie for
Dan’s loyalty and allegiance, despite family issues that threaten to rip the
very fabric of the universe apart.
EXCERPT:
The
Siren Celestia has tracked down Dan Gordon and confronted him and the Muses –
Terpischore (Terri), Polyhymnia, Thalia, and Melpomene (MeMe) in Terri’s
apartment. Drama ensues.
“Well, are you all going to stand there
and gaze at my beauty, or do we go ahead and start the feast?” Celestia slashed
at the air and laughed. “Since, I’m saving the mortal’s heart for last, perhaps
his liver will do for an appetizer?” She scowled at the three Muses trembling
by the dining area. “Thalia, sweetie, grab us a nice Pinot Noir to drink.”
Terri shoved Dan backwards, sending him
stumbling into her sisters before breaking them from their fear-induced trance.
Thalia confidently stepped in front of Dan and held a palm out to Celestia.
“You know the penalties for physically
confronting us, Siren,” Thalia said softly. “Leave us now, or you’ll regret
it.”
“I’ve marked the mortal,” Celestia
snarled. “But don’t fret. I’ll leave his body here so you can give him a decent
burial.” She turned to Terri and grinned. “Perhaps you can lay him to rest
beside Thorvald’s rotting carcass.”
“Get Dan out of here!” Terri screamed,
keeping her eyes on the Siren, “Now!”
Visibly terrified, Polly and MeMe
restrained him from rejoining Terri and disappeared with him in their arms.
Thalia strolled up to her sister’s side and clenched her fists.
“I’ve got your back, Sister,” she said
calmly. “Be it for better or worse.
“You won’t be able to hide him from me
forever, Terpischore,” Celestia said, flexing her claws at the Muses. “I’ll
have Gordon’s juicy heart and tantalizing soul inside my stomach within the
week, Princess.”
“If I must, I’ll take him into Heaven much
like Father took Enoch and Elijah,” Terri hissed out. “You’d be welcome to look
for him, but I doubt you’ll ever get there – much less make it out alive.”
Celestia shrugged. “Then, I’ll have to
make do with yours, Muse. Since the dawn of time I’ve wondered what your blood
would taste like on my tongue.” She laughed. “I imagine it could rival
Thorvald’s in its sweetness.”
Thalia raised her fist. “You’ll do nothing
to my sister, Siren. There are certain rules even a lower class harpy like
yourself has to follow and, in my Father’s heavenly name, I’ll see you do.”
“Rules are meant to be shattered,”
Celestia said, sneering, “Much like your overrated list of commandments.” She
turned her glare to Terri, “Broken as easily as my hand tore through the ribs
that once protected your sweetie’s heart. You remember that, don’t you, Princess?”
She raised her claw to her ear. “Especially the sound it made when I ripped it
from Thorvald’s harvested husk and held it like a child while you helplessly
watched.”
Terri’s entire body
shook. “Say his name again, and I
promise you’ll regret it.”
John. D. Tucker is a longtime
Georgia native who began writing at the age of forty-three. He has
self-published three novels: Divisive – a psychological crime thriller, The
Little Girl You Kiss Goodnight – a young adult mystery, and Romancing the Fox –
a contemporary romance/drama. He seems to be becoming a jack of all genres with
his first novel under the GMTA banner – Terpischore in Love (Bemused and
Bedeviled Book One) a romantic comedy filled with mythological characters
interacting with contemporary mortals.
Author's Giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway
No comments:
Post a Comment