Excerpt
Copyright 2011 Trinity Hart
Impact.
There was no screeching of tires, no horns bellowing in warning.
Just impact, the distinct sound of metal crashing in the rainy summer night, easily heard through the open bedroom window that drafted in humid air.
To the untrained ear, the sound might’ve been mistaken for thunder. But with twenty years in the force under his belt, a sleepless Caleb McBryde shot into preprogrammed cop-mode. Considering his newfound handicaps, he might be finished carrying a badge, could hardly be considered a superhero to the rescue. But someone out there was hurt, needed help. Badly, from the sound of it.
Heaving from bed, he tugged his jeans over his boxers, the speed he pressed for inhibited by the leg he practically drug behind him as he gathered his keys and hat. Samson, his collie pup, gave a, “Woof!” pouncing at his feet and attacking denim.
Caleb shook him off. “Sorry, boy. You can’t come along.”
A glance to the clock revealed it was ten past two in the morning. Who would be traveling at this late hour, this far out, was beyond him. Drunk teens, his guess. His brother Noah, Sheriff of Serenity Cove, had his hands full with ’em lately. Real shame, the recent problems the area was having with youths and dangerous partying. Good kids, mostly, but they were bored. Young and dumb.
God, he sent up a quick prayer, let them be okay.
Though he hated to waste time, there was no telling how long he’d be gone and Samson had an affinity for power cords. Cool sheets of rain gusted around him as he lugged the yet-to-be housebroken pup to the barn and locked him in a stall. Rushing in his awkward way, he limped to his truck and brought the rumbling engine to life, kicking up gravel as he hauled eight-cylinders down the long, lonely lane.
Minutes later, his headlights skated over a smashed-up car buried nose-first in a gully. Fear for whoever was involved washed cold over Caleb as he slammed on his brakes and thrust the truck into park. Need you now, Lord! Grabbing his heavy-duty flashlight, heart kicking into overdrive, he hopped out.
Rain besieged him, thunder cracking in the distance. From the looks of it, whoever had been driving lost control around the curve, sideswiped a tree and landed here. Drunk or high, not much debate about that.
Concern kicked in his gut as his yellow beam whisked across the car and he slid down the slippery embankment, utilizing his good leg. An American model, at least several years old, its white paint job now covered in mud, though the vehicle otherwise appeared well-kept. If he had to guess, he’d say it belonged to some punk’s clueless grandmother. “Hello there!”
He received no response as his flashlight revealed a mass of blonde ringlets pooled over the steering wheel. A lady, small in stature he gauged from the narrow slump of her shoulders. Could be a teenage girl. She wasn’t moving.
“Hey there!” Winging open the door with a creak, he placed his fingers to her neck, finding a steady pulse. As he did, she moaned and tried to lift her head. “Easy does it. Try not to move too much. What’s your name?”
“Hope.” She sat anyway, weakly pushing herself from the steering wheel and deflated airbag. “Oh, that smells.” Her fingers found the swelling on her face just beneath a pair of busted glasses, blood oozing from her delicate-looking nose. “Oh!” she wailed. “What happened?”
“You tell me, ma’am.” When she cast a pair of huge, confused eyes on him, he added, “You were in an accident.”
Talk about stating the obvious—either she had a concussion or she’d indeed blacked out on booze, though offhand she didn’t strike him as the drinking type. Nevertheless, in his previous line of work a man learned fast not to put stock in flowery dresses or innocent faces. After a while, enforcing the law made a man cynical—one part of the job Caleb wouldn’t much miss.
In any case, it was late, or rather, early. Pouring cats and dogs. Maybe she’d fallen asleep behind the wheel or any number of things. He’d best leave the judging to Jesus and concentrate on the rescuing.
“I’m going to call in your accident and we’ll see about getting you some medical attention.” He handed her his handkerchief. “Lean your head back and pinch your nose.”
With a stifled sob, she complied, tilting her head against the seat. “The car wouldn’t stop,” she explained nasally. “It just…” Fear sliced through her words. “It wouldn’t…”
Then she passed out.
Other Inspired titles you may enjoy:
* Special call for submissions! Send us your novellas! *
Prism has opened two new lines and our editors are eager to receive your short stories/novellas.
Diamond Facets.
Diamond Facets.
Pure Romance, Everlasting Love
Facets will feature romances between 10-30K that fall under the guidelines of our Diamond romance imprint. Facets should emphasize a romance that snags the reader’s heart right from the start and packs an emotional punch. Whether love at first sight or an old flame found again, a happily-ever-after is a must. Contemporary, historical, westerns, regencies, and suspense genres are encouraged.
Inspired Cameos
Romance that inspires, heart and soul...
Cameos will feature novellas between 10-30K that fall under the guidelines of our Inspired inspirational romance imprint. Uplifting, short and sweet, these novellas should always finish with a happily-after-after. All genres are encouraged, especially angels, Amish, and historical.
Thank you for your interest in submitting to Prism. Prism books are never boring and sometimes step out of the box. If you have written a manuscript that doesn't quite fit other publisher's guidelines, we'd love to take a look.
At this time, Prism Book Group is offering new authors a royalty rate of 40%. If you would like to review our standard contract, you may email contact@prismbookgroup.com with your request.
We are currently considering fiction manuscripts in the following genres:
We are currently considering fiction manuscripts in the following genres:
Please click the links above for more specific guidelines on what we will accept.
Please note:
- We have no interest in reading erotica, erotic romance, or stories where characters engage in casual sex. While natural sexual tension is encouraged in our romances (we want to feel the emotion the hero and heroine feel for one another) we have no interest in books that spend pages on the explicit, physical culmination of those feelings.
- Stories that promote atheism, witchcraft or devil-worship.
- Serious injury, rape, violence portrayed in a positive light
- Hate literature and positive portrayal of negative stereotypes
- Partial works. Only send your story when it is finished and polished!
Please meet our editors below to decide who is the right choice to submit to. Also please carefully review our general guidelines before submitting a manuscript.
Jacqueline Hopper, Acquiring Editor
Jacqueline Hopper never dreamed of becoming a writer until a teacher read her poem to her class. That event alone incited Jacqueline’s interest in the writing realm. However, it wasn’t until after she began taking courses and honing her skills that her short and novel-length stories sold.
Since then, Jacqueline has participated in critique groups, acted as ghostwriter, proofreader and copy editor while continuing to pen her own stories. Her favorite authors include anyone who can pluck her heartstrings, reduce her to tears or make her double over with laughter.
Jacqueline is interested in fantasy, sci-fi, historical, mystery, humorous and contemporary romance. Fresh ideas are most appealing.
Marcy Dyer, Acquiring Editor
Marcy Dyer will accept submissions in any genre but prefers those that fit within Prism's Christian fiction Illuminate imprint: Amish, Angels, Apocalyptic/Futuristic, Comedy, Contemporary, Historical, Holiday, Suspense, Western and Women’s Fiction.
Kerri Nelson, Acquiring Editor
Kerri Nelson discovered her love of writing at an early age and soon became a columnist for her local newspaper winning the Outstanding Young Journalist of the Year Award for her efforts. After a fifteen year career in the legal field, Kerri fulfilled her lifelong dream of publication and is now an award winning multi-published author of nearly two dozen books in every genre under the sun (and moon). With over a decade of writing and publishing experience, Kerri seeks to mentor new authors into the amazing world of publication.
Kerri enjoys anything in the romance and/or mystery genres and is seriously drawn to stories containing a surprise ending. She enjoys humorous heroines, heart-of-gold heroes, and books with the potential for a continuing series of interwoven storylines and characters. Preferred sub-genres include: Contemporary and Historical (Regency and Victorian England era or Civil War American era) Romance; coming of age Young Adult Christian fiction (where teens learn lessons in fun and unexpected ways); and Romantic Suspense or Cozy Mysteries (with a nail biting dose of danger included).
Both established authors and pre-published (new talent) writers are eagerly welcomed to submit. In addition to full-length novels, Kerri is the self-proclaimed “Queen of Novellas” so if you have a short story between 15K and 30K, please send it her way.
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