GRAVE ATTRACTION
Grave Series
Book Four
Lori Sjoberg
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Date of Publication: January 5, 2016
ISBN: 9781601832719
ASIN: B00VZZM4YE
Number of pages: approx. 247
Word Count: approx. 90,000
Cover Artist: Lyrical Press
Book Description:
He’s a reaper who works by the book. But a sexy shifter will have him changing the course of fate just to be with her—if a killer doesn’t get to her first…
After four years as a reaper, helping souls cross into the afterlife is a job Adam Javorski has finally gotten used to. But when he arrives at the site of a serial killer’s latest victim, finding a living—not to mention gorgeous—hostage is the last thing he expects. The young woman captivates him in a way no one ever has—so much so, he breaks rule number one by helping her escape…
Marlena Walther doesn’t remember the man who rescued her. But when she sees Adam again, she recognizes him instantly as her soul mate. While the two work together to track down a killer determined to finish what he started, their undeniable attraction draws them even closer. Now Adam is the only one who can protect Marlena from a vengeful murderer—if he’s willing to sacrifice everything for her.
Interview With The Villain
Character Name: Samuel
Character Bio: I am Death Incarnate, the right hand of Fate. Over the years she’s taught me many things: respect, determination, patience, and strength. I’m afraid I’m still working on patience. My job is to ensure Fate’s rule over this world is undisturbed and unchallenged. Some may find my tactics to be…harsh. They’re right, but that’s not my problem.
Lori: Thanks so much for hosting today’s stop on the tour! For those who don’t know me, my name is Lori Sjoberg. I’m the author of GRAVE ATTRACTION, a paranormal romance. Today, I’m interviewing one of the main characters. Thanks for being here, Samuel.
Samuel: You didn’t give me a choice, remember?
Lori: Yes, well, I still appreciate you taking time out of your busy day. You’ve played a role in each book of the Grave series. Do you see yourself as the villain that others paint you out to be?”
Samuel: Of course not, because I’m no villain. I work for Fate, and the scope of my duties requires me to do whatever it takes to ensure her directives are achieved. Sometimes, that leaves me in a position where extreme measures must be taken.
Lori: Extreme measures. By that you mean torture and threats of eternal damnation?
Samuel: My subordinates are damned souls. They’ve been given one final chance to earn their salvation by harvesting the souls of the dead. How do you suggest I keep them in line, harsh language? Experience has taught me that you can achieve far more with a kind word and an iron fist than with a kind word alone.
Lori: You ran into a bit of trouble in Grave Attraction. Specifically, you lost your powers. That had to be a terrible experience for you.
Samuel: You have no idea what it’s like for an omnipotent being to suddenly become…human. So degrading. Even worse, I was forced to rely on others to protect me from those who wanted to exploit my weakened condition.
Lori: Could you describe yourself to those who haven’t read the Grave series? What are your worst and best qualities?
Samuel: I’m loyal. Some might say that’s a good quality to possess. For me, it’s been a blessing and a curse.
Lori: What is the one thing you wish other people knew about you?
Samuel: Knowledge is power, so the less people know about me, the better.
Lori: If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
Samuel: What’s the point of the question? We are what we are. I have lost much, endured even more, and sacrificed greatly. If I haven’t changed at this point, it’s simply not going to happen.
Lori: What’s your most treasured possession?
Samuel: In my line of work, it’s best to travel light. I have no treasured possessions, only treasured memories.
Lori: What kinds of memories?
Samuel: Springtime in London. A good cup of tea with friends who have long passed. A time when the only thing I worried about was making my wife—nevermind.
Lori: Whoa, wait, you were married?
Samuel: A long time ago. That’s all you need to know.
Lori: What’s your current relationship status?
Samuel: Single. In my line of work, emotional attachments are weaknesses I cannot afford.
Lori: Do you have a hobby? What do you do in your spare time for enjoyment?
Samuel: I have no time for hobbies. As it is, I rarely have time for sleep.
Lori: What is your current state of mind?
Samuel: I’m in the mood for retribution. Someone has to pay for everything that happened to me in this godforsaken book. Are there any more questions, or can I go?
Lori: No, I think that just about covers it. Thank you, Samuel, I appreciate you taking the time—and he’s gone.
Excerpt 2:
“Who the hell are you?” Her husky voice sounded harder than iron, but her eyes were wide and unblinking.
Adam didn’t answer. He was too busy appraising the locks. With enough time and the proper equipment, he could override the electronic keypad. Unfortunately, he lacked the luxury of either. Besides, it wasn’t his business. As a reaper, his obligations lay with the dead. He had no right to interfere with the living. Those lessons had been drilled into his head countless times. Always collect your appointed souls. Do not alert humans to our presence. Do not question Fate. And for the love of God, do not alter destiny. His mentor’s words echoed in his ears, the only thing keeping him from running to his truck for a hacksaw.
Frustrated, Adam balled his hands into fists. If he had a lick of sense, he’d leave the house before he did anything stupid. But something about the young woman called out to his soul, tugging so fiercely he found it impossible to turn away. A deep sense of connection flashed through his blood—swift, strong, and given the situation, completely inappropriate. He’d never experienced anything like it, and it knocked him completely off balance.
His phone vibrated in his back pocket, jarring him from his thoughts.
“Get your ass out of there,” Martin said when Adam answered the call. “Your boy’s on his way back to the nest, and it looks like he brought company.”
Shit. According to his notes, the killer worked alone. Since when had he recruited a partner? “All right, I’ll be there in a minute.” Adrenaline surged through his veins as he disconnected. There wasn’t enough time to break the blond free. But what kind of man would he be if he left a defenseless woman in the hands of psychos? Fuck destiny. The least he could do was give her a fighting chance at survival. To the best of his knowledge, she wasn’t fated to expire any time soon, and in his book that made her fair game.
“Hey!” the blond shouted when he stormed out of the room, fear rising in her voice. “Come back! Let me out of here!”
The sound of the garage door opening shot Adam’s pulse into overdrive. With time running out, he rushed to the kitchen and grabbed the cordless phone from the charging station. He dialed as he walked, and by the time he reached the back room, a 911 operator had picked up the call.
“Please state the nature of your emergency,” a woman said on the other end of the line.
Adam shoved the phone through the narrow steel bars. His gaze locked with the woman’s long enough to insert a mental suggestion.
You’re at 816 Heron Cove. I was never here.
She stared at him, a puzzled expression on her face as he turned and raced for the exit. He heard her speaking to the emergency operator, and relief flooded his heart. With luck, the police would arrive within minutes and free the poor woman from captivity.
The sound of a car engine shut off in the garage. Adam’s pulse pounded in his ears as he flicked off the lights and yanked the front door open. As he stepped over the threshold, he heard the creak of the door that connected the garage to the kitchen. Quietly, carefully, he closed the front door, praying they wouldn’t notice the unlocked dead bolt.
Not looking back, Adam ran to the truck and slid behind the wheel.
“What took you so long?” Martin’s nose crinkled. “Dude, you smell like roadkill.”
Adam shot him a withering glare as he turned the key in the ignition. “What did you expect? It doesn’t smell like fucking lilacs in there.” He twisted his neck and sniffed the sleeve of his shirt. Yep, he reeked of death, which meant a shower and a fresh change of clothes before heading out to the bar. After he clicked on his seat belt, he reached over and switched on the police scanner.
Martin glanced down as Adam adjusted the dial to pick up the right frequency. “What are you listening for?”
“Nothing.” The code for a drunk and disorderly came over the speaker, followed by an officer acknowledging the call and stating that he was en route. What the hell? Where was the dispatch to save the woman? Maybe they’d already made the call and he’d missed it. He drummed his fingers against the gearshift, hesitant to leave the scene until he knew an officer was on the way.
Martin’s thick eyebrows furrowed. Even in the darkened space of the cab, it was obvious he wasn’t buying Adam’s bullshit. “What did you do?”
Before Adam had the chance to think up a lie, another call came over the scanner. Possible kidnapping and murder, suspects armed and dangerous. Dispatch advised officers to approach the scene with no lights and no sirens. Good. At least they were taking the call seriously. From the sound of it, one of the units was close enough to arrive in under a minute. Thank God. Adam slipped the truck into gear and pulled away from the curb. The last thing he needed was to get dragged into a multiple murder investigation.
Martin’s mouth dropped open as they sped past the killer’s house. “You didn’t.”
“What was I supposed to do?”
“Your job.” Martin let out a grunt of disgust. “Fucking Boy Scout. You know better than that. Samuel’s gonna tear you a new one.”
“Only if he finds out.” The memory of what happened to his mentor sprang to mind and an icy ball of dread settled in his stomach. Samuel always found out.
About the Author:
Lori Sjoberg is the award winning author of the GRAVE SERIES. She lives in Florida with her husband and four-legged fur baby.
Growing up the youngest of three girls, Lori never had control of the remote. (Not that she's bitter about that. Really. Okay, maybe a little, but it's not like she's scarred for life or anything.) That meant a steady diet of science fiction and fantasy. Star Trek, Star Wars, Twilight Zone, Outer Limits - you name it, she watched it. It fed her imagination, and that came in handy when the hormones kicked in and she needed a creative excuse for being out past curfew.
After completing her first novel, she joined the Romance Writers of America and Central Florida Romance Writers. Now she exercises the analytical half of her brain at her day job, and the creative half writing sensual paranormal romance. Grim reapers are her specialty, but she loves to write about all creatures of the night.
You can read more about Lori at
http://lorisjoberg.com/
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLoriSjoberg
@Lori_Sjoberg
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6574214.Lori_Sjoberg
