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First Chapter Preview: Demon

Demon: A Memoir

by TOSCA LEE

Chapter One

It was raining the night he found me. Traffic had slowed on Massachusetts Avenue, and the wan light of streetlamps reflected off the pavement. I was hurrying on without an umbrella, distracted by the chirp of a text message on my phone, trying to shield its illuminated face from rain and the drizzle off storefront awnings. There had been a mistake in my schedule, an appointment that I didn’t recognize and that I had stayed late at the office for — until six forty-five — just in case. Our office manager was texting me from home now to say she had no idea who it was with, that the appointment must have belonged on Phil’s calendar, that she was sorry for the mistake and to have a good night.

I flipped the phone shut, shoved it in my bag. I was worn out by this week already, and it was only Tuesday. The days were getting shorter, the sun setting by six o’clock. It put me on edge, gnawed at me, as though I had better get somewhere warm and cheerful or, barring all else, home before it got any darker. But I was unwilling to face the empty apartment, the dirty dishes and unopened mail on the counter. So I lowered my head against the rain and walked another two blocks past my turnoff until I came to the Bosnian Café. A strap of bells on the door announced my entrance with a ringing slap.

I liked the worn appeal of the Bosnian Café with its olfactory embrace of grilled chicken and gyro meat that enveloped me upon every arrival and clung to me long after leaving. That night, in the premature darkness and rain, the café seemed especially homey with its yellowing countertops, chipped mirrors, and grimy ketchup bottles. Cardboard shamrocks, remnants of a forgotten Saint Patrick’s Day, draped the passthrough into the kitchen, faded around their die-cut edges. A string of Christmas lights lined the front window, every third bulb out. On the wall above the register, a framed photo of the café’s owner with a local pageant queen, and another with a retired Red Sox player, had never been dusted. But no one, including me, seemed to mind.

I stood in the entry waiting for Esad, the owner, to notice me. But it was not the bald man who welcomed me.

It was the dark-haired stranger.

I was surveying the other tables, looking for inspiration — chicken or steak, gyro or salad — when he beckoned. I hesitated, wondering if I should recognize him, this man sitting by himself — but no, I did not know him. He impatiently waved again, and I glanced over my shoulder, but there was no one standing in the entryway but me. And then the man at the table stood up and strode directly to me.

“You’re late,” he said, clasping my shoulder and smiling. He was tall, tanned, with curling hair and a slightly hooked nose that did nothing to detract from his enviable Mediterranean looks. His eyes glittered beneath well-formed brows.His teeth were very white.

“I’m sorry. I think you have the wrong person,” I said. He chuckled.

“Not at all! I’ve been waiting for you for quite some time. An eternity, you might say. Please, come sit down. I took the liberty of ordering for you.” His voice reminded me of fine cognac, the Hors d’Age men drink aboard their yachts as they cut their Cohíbas.

“You have the wrong person. I don’t know you,” I insisted, even as he steered me toward the table. I didn’t want to embarrass him; he already seemed elegantly out of place here in what, for all practical purposes, was a joint. But he would feel like an elegant fool in another minute, especially if his real appointment — interview, date, whatever — walked in and saw him sitting
here with me.

“But I know you, Clay.”

I started at the sound of my name, spoken by him with a mixture of familiarity and strange interest, and then I studied him more closely — the squareness of his jaw, the smoothness of his cheek, his utter self-possession — wondering if I had indeed met him before. But I hadn’t, I was certain of it now.

Sample from Demon / ISBN 1-60006-123-0
Copyright © 2006 NavPress Publishing.
All rights reserved.
To order copies of this resource, come back to
http://www.navpress.com/.

So far this novel is one of the best novel's I have read. Great job!! Dee

Pen to Paper Literary Symposium

Get your manuscript critiqued, learn how to write a stage play, get inside info on the music biz, hear from the "frugal" promoter, Carolyn Howard-Johnson and get wise advice from best-selling Christian fiction author, Victoria Christopher Murray - and MORE. Great connections at the Fourth Annual Pen to Paper Literary Symposium this weekend in Dayton. Click here for details or watch the slideshow of the previous sympsium below.

3 Ways to Convince your Hubby to Take You to See Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?

3 Ways to Convince Your Man to Take You to See Why Did I Get Married?

1. Tell him Janet Jackson is in it.
2. Suggest a double feature: this for you and a dude flick for him.
3. Thank God that he is taking you during your dinner blessing.
4. Bonus, the one that really worked for me. Sincerely ask him that you want him to see it with you.

Any others?

Speedlinking Christian Fiction 9/27

1. The Christian Fiction Blog Alliance featured Victoria Christopher Murray's summer sizzler, The Ex Files. I'm glad Victoria considers her works Christian Fiction Novel. REad my interview with her here.

2. Brandilyn Collins has a nice debate going on regarding Flannery O'Connor's take on Christian Fiction.yibonyyy

embodies the same ignorance or rejection of God’s Word and the glorious power of Christ’s completed work and the same fascination with and promotion of mysticism, imagination, and the occult. As Dekker says, it’s entertainment. But fiction isn't just any entertainment; its power and danger lie in the fact that it can draw a reader into a worldview. It embraces the soul and the imagination. It brings to life conjecture and imagination. It teaches. And appearing as Christian, it can fool many.

-Richard and Linda Nathan reviews Dekker's Saint and two published novels of Robin Parrish's Dominion Trilogy

Faith in Fiction Retreat

The purpose of the Faith in Fiction Retreat is to allow readers to come together in a spirit of sisterhood and to get up-close-and- personal with their favorite Faith Authors!

In August 2007, the Faith and Fiction Retreat debuted in St. Simon's Island, GA. Readers enjoyed sessions, book signings and late night pj book discussions with some great Faith Fiction authors: Jacquelin Thomas, Norma L. Jarrett and conference host, Tiffany L. Warren. Also attending were Mimi Jefferson, Shelia Lipsey, Latonya Mason & Lacricia Peters.

Delegates from the following book clubs attended: Prominent Women of Color (Jacksonville, FL), Circle of Friends II (Atlanta, GA), Sip N Read Cafe (Atlanta, GA), Glory Girls (Rochester, NY), Sisters With a Purpose (Baytown,TX) & Spirit of Sisterhood (Atlanta, GA).

The 2008 retreat will take place in beautiful Destin, FL at The Palms of Destin Resort and Conference Center . Slated authors: Victoria Christopher Murray, Kendra Norman-Bellamy and Michele Andrea Bowen.

Author Panelists - There are limited number of author slots available. Send an email.

REGISTRATION:

• $249 for individuals
• $225 for book clubs (four or more members attending)
• $189 for Saturday only
• $119 for Sessions only (no meals)

Includes sessions, specified meals and retreat materials.The registration fee does not include lodging or transportation. A $75 non-refundable deposit is needed by February 1, 2008 to guarantee your spot!
Discounted rooms at The Palms will be available. (Jr. 2 bdrm. suite - $140/night, 2 bdrm. suite - $180/night, 3 bdrm. suite - $236/night, 2 bdrm. villa - $196/night). Reservations can be made by calling The Palms at 877-373-6729. Use the discount code "Faith and Fiction Retreat"

3 Reasons Why You Should Listen to Me Tonight

Tonight, Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 9:00 pm EST / 8:00 CST tune in to The Abundant Solutions Hour. Gregory Turner and Brian J. Henderson, the hosts have invited me to be a special guest on tonight's show, to help you achieve 3 things this week:

1. Worship God with Your Talent
2. Realize that God has prepared you to achieve your dreams
3. Gain a Basic Knowledge of the Christian Book Publishing Industry
Bonus. Share your story of God's faith with others who need encouragement.

You can listen to the show here.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/asemotivation
Or you can Tune in and Talk Here:

Dial In Number (718) 508-9600

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact:
Gregory Turner, CC
President & CEO
Abundant Solutions Enterprises, Inc.
GregoryTurner@AbundantSolutionsEnterprises.com
info@mindalteringstrategies.com
www.AbundantSolutionsEnterprises.com
In order for dreams to come true, you must first wake up. - Gregory Turner