Wanting a new life... The Demon Series by Shiela Stewart

"Shiela Stewart is a "new to me" author, and I LOVE those first reads, the first "aww's," the first "laughs" and the first "what the hells?" After reading Awakening the Demon I am happy to report that this was a win for me and I absolutely recommend Shiela Stewart!" Drmgrl99, Goodreads

Description:

Awaken the Demon (#1)

Abused for years by a sadistic fiancé, Missy Green has finally had enough. Running away is her only recourse. Wanting a new life, she takes refuge with a group known as the Stargazers. Taken in by the illustrious Draco Starr, Missy is elated to finally find peace. Yet, something doesn’t seem right about her host.

Born in the pits of hell, Draco Starr was once a fearsome Demon. For centuries, he collected soul s for Satan. Having done his time, Draco sets out to start a new life. Even with more wealth and prestige than anyone could ever want, something is missing in his life.

Love.

Missy is about to have her world turned upside down. Discovering Draco is a demon is terrifying enough, but finding out she too is a demon is more than she can handle.

Can Missy deal with her new life, and the affection she is beginning to feel for Draco, or will her past come back to haunt her? 

EXCERPT

What was so great about being a demon? Sure, she could have anything she wanted, but so what? She didn’t want to be an animal like Draco.

Downing the contents of the glass, she coughed and gasped for air as her body shook. That was the most disgusting liquid she’d ever tasted.

She envisioned her room filled with balloons in various shapes and sizes, hoping it would cheer her up. It didn’t. Missy felt miserable. Instead of admiring them, enjoying them, she decided to pop them, one by one, with only a thought.

Here’s to life.

Pop!

Here’s to having powers.

Pop!

Here’s to wishing a lifetime of pain and misery on Ronald and Draco.

Pop, pop, pop, pop!

“Amusing yourself, I see.” Draco appeared before her, startling her.

She caught her breath and replied calmly. “I’ve pictured your face on every one of them— no—that’s not true. That one is Ronald.” Lifting a finger, she popped the deep green balloon. She still felt miserable.

“Very amusing.” He pushed through the many balloons to get to her.

“I think so.” Pop, another one down. “So, Draco, to what do I owe the discomfort of your visit this time?” Pop, another one down.

“Aren’t we in a foul mood?”

“I am. I don’t know about you. Why are you here?” In the blink of an eye, all of the balloons disappeared. “Party pooper.”

“I wanted to ask you a few questions.”

She turned her head to face him and the room began to swim before her. “Questions, always questions with you. Let me ask you one for a change. Why are you looking for a mate?”

“To share my life with, of course.”

“Why me?” Now her vision was beginning to blur. Was this what being drunk was like? She’d never been before.

He blinked several times before responding. “You’re the only one of your kind.”

“And that’s it? You want me because I’m rare?”

“I did. Before I knew you. Where is this going, Missy?”

“I’m just curious if love played any part in this search for a mate. See, when I accepted Ronald’s proposal, I believed I was in love. I figured we would have a long, happy life together, have a few children, grow old and die together.” She looked over at Draco. “Well, that didn’t exactly work out, so I was just curious what your idea of happily-ever-after is?”

“I’ve never really given it any thought.”

“Well, I would think that would be something to think about when choosing a mate. However, I really don’t know what you feel, being a direct descendent of Satan and all. Can you feel?” she slurred.

“How did you find that out?”

“I have my ways,” she responded slyly. “Can you?”

“I didn’t come here to be grilled by you.”

“I wasn’t grilling you. I was just asking questions. What’s the matter, Draco? You don’t like being questioned?”

He got to his feet. “I think I’ll come back when you’re in a better mood.”

“Oh, don't go. I’m in a perfectly fine mood now, Draco.” She swaggered toward him.

“You’re drunk.”

“Yep, yep I am. Why is it I get the strangest urge to rip those clothes from your body and see what's hidden beneath all that black?” She ran a finger along his lapel. “Yet at the same time, I want to vomit at your feet.”

“What sort of response were you expecting from that question? Or was it a rhetorical one?”

“Yeah, the last one,” she slurred.

“This is all new to you. It will take time for you to adjust.”

“Oh, I’ve grasped it all. I’m now a demon who craves flesh and blood and my future is filled with uncertainty, but one thing remains.” The tears came up and flooded her eyes despite her fight to withhold them. “I can never go home again.”

“Missy.”

“No.” She waved him off. “Leave me be. I need some time alone.”

“You keep pushing me away, yet it’s me you need.”

“I don’t need you.” She stepped away and was shocked when he yanked her back toward him. Before she knew it, his mouth was covering hers. She felt the heat scorch her from the middle of her belly and down. Something inside of her beckoned her to surrender.

“I have never wanted a woman’s lips before.” He ran his thumb over her lips. “Yours tempt me beyond reason.” With that said, he vanished.

She slumped to the floor, her eyes flooded with tears.

Now why did he have to do that?

Offer the Demon (#2) 

Twenty-one years ago a bargain was made for her existence. Twenty-one years ago was the beginning of the end.

Born to serve Satan, Aurora Starr wishes she could lead a normal life. Being a demon, that’s not so easy to do. By night she takes the lives of those Satan chooses. Despite her hatred for her job, she knows she must continue, but all she wants is to live like a normal human.

Enter Scott Monroe.

Tall, blond, and gorgeous, he is more than Aurora can resist. Although mating with a human is taboo, Aurora throws caution to the wind and begins seeing Scott. But when Satan makes her choose between her family or the man she loves, Aurora has had enough.

Will love win in the end, or will Satan damn them all? 

EXCERPT

She didn’t want to do this, but the damn voice in her head screamed at her to take him. He was only eighteen. He had a long life to live yet. So she rebelled.

“Why, tell me why he has to go? He’s so young.” She clutched her head when the voice grew louder and more demanding.

“DO IT!”

 “What if I refuse to do it? What if I say no and walk away?” She suddenly fell to her knees as the pain sliced into her. Like fire erupting in every molecule of her body and it took more than her breath away. Clutching her head, her eyes tearing up, the pain radiated throughout her body.  Gasping, clinging to the edge of sanity, she cried out. “All right, all right, I’ll do it, damn it! I’ll do it!”

She took in a huge gulp of air when the pain subsided. The thought came to mind to call him several nasty names, but she didn’t think that would go over well. Instead, she stood, dusted off her black jeans, and turned to her next victim. 

He was so young, only three years younger than she. Much too young to die. The voice inside her head reminded her that the young man had just robbed a convenience store and had shot and killed the owner. Not his first offense.

“With help, he could turn out to live a better life.”

“Do it now.”  The voice screamed at her, filling her body with pain.

Having no choice, Aurora stepped up to the young man as he counted his money. She would make this one quick. He didn’t need to suffer. The wind swooped down, blowing her hair to fan her face, she touched the young man’s shoulder.

He spun around, and his face froze. What he saw wasn’t human.

“I’m sorry.” Opening her hand, she blew a cloud of dust into his face. In a matter of  moments he would fall into a deep sleep and never wake.

He gasped, his hands reaching for his throat as the air refused him. As he fell to his knees, gasping, she heard the crunch of gravel behind her.

Spinning around, Aurora saw him, the blonde angel that had come to the rescue last time. She lifted off only seconds before he reached her. He was most definitely a man, a human man, a gorgeous man.

Spotting the young man on the ground, he dropped to his knees, taking the boys head in his hands. He held him as the shadows took his soul away.

 “Who the hell are you?” he screamed into the warm dark night. “Why are you doing this?”

She stood atop the building, invisible, cloaked in the shadows and watched as the handsome man did everything in his power to revive the boy. She couldn’t answer the cries of the blonde man, couldn’t go to him and explain. The only thing she could do is stand by and watch.

She watched as the man called for help, watched as the police arrived, asked their usual questions, and cordoned off the scene. She was transfixed with him, by him. Something about that blonde haired man drew her in, making her want to risk it all. She followed him, cloaked in invisibility. When he pulled up in front of a tall building, she settled on the roof of his car and waited.

Stepping from the car, he paused, looked around, shrugged as he closed the door.

Oh my, Aurora thought, he looked much better close up. She smiled as she watched him saunter—and he did saunter—a slow, easy gliding of feet, into the building. He was tall, strong and gorgeous. Smiling, she looked up at the sign over the top of the door. Monroe’s Shelter. What kind of place was this? The temptation to step inside, unseen, and see what went on nearly took over, but she knew the rules. They didn’t spy on people. She huffed. Rules, she was sick of rules. Rules were running her life.

Well, maybe the time had come to make her own.

Conquer the Demon (#3) 

Bad boy rock star, Mick Monroe has never had to work for anything. One of the benefits of Satan giving him a phenomenal singing voice. So when he has a chance encounter with a sexy female officer, Mick is determined to make her his. She, on the other hand, refuses to give in.

Rookie Office, Laci Harris is a single mother with a strong determination to do it all herself. Being scorned by an ex-lover, the father of her son, she’s very jaded when dealing with men. Especially bossy, arrogant men. Despite being a fan of Mick Monroe’s band, she refuses to give in to his advances. Even if he is incredible with her son.

Mick never thought he would fall in love, not just with Laci, but her adorable son as well. But how was he going to explain to them that he’s part demon? When he learns of Satan’s plan to gather souls, using his music, he refuses to give in. But Satan doesn’t take no for an answer and threatens his loved ones. Torn between saving the world and saving his family, Mick puts a plan in motion.

Even if it costs him his life. 

EXCERPT

“We’ve got us a speeder. Fancy car, too.” Pulling up to the red Porsche, Briggs flashed the cruiser's lights, then beeped the siren to indicate he wanted the car to pull over. The car slowed and came to a stop at the side of the road. “I’ll call in the plates. You go check it out.”

Leaving the car, Laci headed to the speeder. She tapped the window with her knuckles.The window came down, and a full head of blond hair came into view. When he turned to her, his blue eyes shot right into her.

“Good day, officer. What seems to be the problem?”

No—could it be? It had to be. She shook her head. Mick Monroe would never be driving about on his own. Not the god of rock and roll. His scratchy voice couldn’t possibly belong to Mick Monroe. “You drove above the posted speed limit, sir. Can I see your driver’s license and registration, please?”

“Sure thing, Officer Harris.”

Glancing at his ID, she almost swallowed her tongue.

“Let me get out of here so we can see eye to eye.”

“It’s better if you stay in the vehicle, sir.” But when he climbed out of the car, she stepped back, prepared. She had to will herself not to gawk at him. She took the license he held out to her, trying not to babble like an idiot. For God sakes, she’d pulled over Mick Monroe, local boy and big time rock star, speeding. No one would believe her.

“I find this more personable.”

She fell under the spell of his charming smile. “Everything seems to be in order here, Mr. Monroe, but I’ll have to check for any priors or infractions on your record.”

“I can tell you recognize me. Are you a fan of my music?” He inched closer.

She backed off again, held up her hand. “Please stay next to the car, Mr. Monroe.”

“I won’t do anything rash. You have beautiful red hair. I happen to like red hair.”

Pulling out her ticket book, she began to write.

“Oh come on, Officer, I wasn’t going that fast. You’re not going to give me a ticket, are you?”

Laci snapped the ticked off, then held it out to him. “Yes, Mr. Monroe, I am serious.”

Instead of taking the ticket, he grabbed her wrist.

“Release me.”

“Why don’t we go somewhere private and discuss how I should pay for this ticket.”

She spun him, locking his arm high up his back, and shoved him, hard, against the car. “You have the right to remain silent—”

“Whoa there, Officer. Let’s talk about this for a minute.”

“Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.”

“Mind me asking what the charge is here, Officer?”

“Bribing a cop. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you.” She slapped the wrist restraints on, pressed the button to have them shrink tightly to his wrist.

“Oh, come on. You know who I am.”

“What seems to be the problem, rookie?”

“Rookie. Priceless. I’m being arrested by an amateur.”

“He attempted to bribe me out of the ticket.”

“Okay, let’s take him in. He’s got outstanding tickets as well, speeding mostly.” Briggs took hold of Mick, leading him to the car. “My kids are big fans of yours, by the by.”

“Thanks. If you remove the cuffs, I would be more than happy to sign a picture for them. I have some in my car.”

“You may be famous, Mr. Monroe,” Laci piped up, “but you’re not getting away with bribing a cop—correction—two cops. Cuffs stay on.”

“Two cops? What the hell are you talking about? I didn’t bribe anyone.”

“Why don’t you sit back, relax, and save the crying for your lawyer after we lock you up.” Laci pulled the door closed, blowing out a breath as the car started rolling. Holy hell! She had Mick Monroe in the back seat of her car.

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About the author: 

Shiela Stewart is a paranormal suspense author with a writing history that stems back to her youth. Always a dreamer, wondering if her stories would ever reach an audience, she was finally published in 2006 and hasn't stopped since. It is rare to find a stand-alone book as she prefers series stories. Her longest running series to date is her Darkness series which is a vampire romance.

Her joy for scary suspense is evident in each of her books. She has had several accomplishments including fighting for the top spot in rankings with author Stephany Myers, receiving glowing reviews as well as interviews on television.

When not writing, Shiela spends her time with the love of her life, William, and their children and grandchildren. She enjoys getting her hands dirty, working in her gardens and planting flowers. Her strong affection for animals is evident in the many cats, fish and birds she cares for.

Her favorite time of day is at sunset. 

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