{"id":208,"date":"2008-06-13T06:15:20","date_gmt":"2008-06-13T11:15:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/\/?p=208"},"modified":"2008-06-20T16:54:02","modified_gmt":"2008-06-20T21:54:02","slug":"never-ceese-by-sue-dent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/?p=208","title":{"rendered":"Never Ceese by Sue Dent"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It is time to play a Wild Card<\/span>!<\/strong> <\/span>Every now and then, a book that I have chosen to read is going to pop up as a FIRST Wild Card Tour<\/a>. Get dealt into the game! (Just click the button!) Wild Card Tours feature an author and his\/her book’s FIRST chapter!<\/p>\n

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!<\/em>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n


\nThis Friday the 13th — A vampire . . . a werewolf . . . can two who were wronged make it right? By their Faith!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Today’s Wild Card author is: <\/strong><\/div>\n
Sue Dent<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n

and her book:<\/span> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Never Ceese<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Journey Stone Creations (February 1, 2006)
\n(Autographed copies can be ordered through www.thewriterscafepress.com\/<\/a>)<\/p>\n

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:<\/span> <\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>Sue Dent hails from Mississippi. She graduated from Mississippi College in 1983. Since graduating she\u2019s sold computers, taught computer classes and has worked as a Technical Specialist IV for the Mississippi Department of Natural Resources.<\/p>\n

Her first book Never Ceese was published in May of 2006. It has since been short-listed for a Bram Stoker Award in the category of Superior Achievement in a First Novel.<\/p>\n

This past March Sue was an invited guest of Nicholas Grabowsky to the World Horror Convention in Toronto Canada. Never Ceese was also at Comic-Con 2007 in San Diego and represented by Head Press Publishing.
\n\"\"<\/a>
\nOf her writing, which continues to successfully cross both Secular and Christian boundaries, Sue says, \u201cWell, somebody had to do it. Might as well be me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her much anticipated sequel Forever Richard <\/a>is due out in 2008 published by The Writers\u2019 Caf\u00e9 Press. As always, watch www.NeverCeese.com\/<\/a> and www.ForeverRichard.com\/<\/a> for updates.<\/p>\n

Visit her at her website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Product Details<\/p>\n

List Price: $17.99
\nHardcover: 300 pages
\nPublisher: Journey Stone Creations (February 1, 2006)
\nLanguage: English
\nISBN-10: 1599580179
\nISBN-13: 978-1599580173<\/p>\n

AND NOW…THE FIRST CHAPTER:<\/span> <\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>\"\"<\/a>PROLOGUE<\/p>\n

She was finally alone, all alone. Merideth had taken all six children with him, and she wouldn\u2019t see them again until much later, after the church service Merideth was leading ended. The weathered, horse-drawn wagon had never looked so full, and for a brief moment, Julia wanted to go along, too. Holding back tears as they pulled away wasn\u2019t easy. Yet when she could no longer hear the wagon wheels creaking along, or the steady plod of their mare pulling it, she regrouped. They would be back soon enough, and until then, she should enjoy this free time. After all, Merideth had planned this time alone for her. Julia wouldn\u2019t spoil it by being sad.<\/p>\n

She would work in the garden. No, she would sit in her garden, and absolutely no one would bother her. But first, she must tidy up. Yes, she thought. I will tidy up, then relax.<\/p>\n

She started in the small kitchen, but only had to spend a little time there. Her two daughters had cleaned it before they left. She moved on. Instinctively, she kept looking for a child to come darting out, a daughter or a son, calling to her for one thing or another. She paused, fought back another tear. Even when they weren\u2019t there, they were. She went along, picked up a shirt and scolded the child who had left it, though the child was nowhere around to be affected by her words. This time Julia laughed, realized how ridiculous she sounded. I\u2019ve been a mother far too long! But she wouldn\u2019t have it any other way.<\/p>\n

Julia didn\u2019t look at all like someone\u2019s mother. After six children, she still looked very much like an older sister. She and Merideth married young and had gotten started early. She hadn\u2019t had time to think about growing old and, consequently, it didn\u2019t seem she had. Her face was smooth, not one line or blemish, and only seemed to attract more attention than when she was younger. Men took notice, but she wanted none but Meri. He doted on her, took care of her and loved her like no other could.<\/p>\n

Meri was a fine catch in his own right: a man of God, strong and humble, captivating and caring. She smiled knowingly, then carried the shirt she had collected from the floor back to where it belonged, all while thinking of the one person she could never get enough of.<\/p>\n

In the small room where the boys slept, she placed the shirt on the bed closest to the door. But just as she began turning around to leave, a shadow overtook hers, a much larger one.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s there?\u201d she said, rattled. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d But she got no answer.<\/p>\n

She turned slowly, and stifled her scream. The man was much too close, blocking her way out of the room.<\/p>\n

She would go. She would run. He would never catch her. \u201cIf . . . AWRIf you\u2019re here to see Mer\u2014 my husband . . . he\u2019s just out back. I\u2019ll go and get him.\u201d<\/p>\n

But he grabbed her arm tight when she tried to get by.<\/p>\n

\u201cHusband not here. Children not here. Julia all alone. Julia woman of Go\u2014\u201d He stopped, placed the palm of his free hand against his forehead, as though trying to force some unimaginable pain away. After a moment, he spoke again. \u201cWant Julia and husband to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why was he talking like that? What was wrong with him and how did he know her name? The questions came to her at once. She didn\u2019t care about the answers though; she just wanted to leave. She pulled again. \u201cPlease, let me go.\u201d<\/p>\n

But he didn\u2019t. Instead, he led her outside, took her into the woods that thickened just past the garden, and handed her off to another man whose grip was just as firm.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo words,\u201d the first man said. \u201cNo kill.\u201d<\/p>\n

A feeling of dread overcame her as she watched the first man leave, then turned to face the one who now held her. She\u2019d seen his lustful smile before. When Meri couldn\u2019t accompany her on her errands in town, she got those looks sometimes. They always made her feel awkward, uneasy. But not terrified, as she was now.<\/p>\n

The remainder of that time was a blur as Julia forced herself not to think about what the man was doing as he forced himself on her. Finally it was over, and he left.<\/p>\n

Julia felt sick, rolled over onto her side and took deep breaths. A twig snapped behind her. She started, managed to get to her feet but froze in fear. Why won\u2019t they just leave me alone?<\/p>\n

The first man was back, moved toward her cowering form and spoke. \u201cJulia not forget this day. Julia never forget. Tell husband to go. Only evil will stand here.\u201d<\/p>\n

What happened next, Julia was sure no one would ever believe. Right before her eyes, the man turned into a wolf. The wolf came at her, tore his claws at her right side.<\/p>\n

She managed to get to a tree and hid behind it, certain the wolf would come after her and kill her. She waited, eyes screwed shut, but nothing happened. Long moments passed, and she finally opened her eyes to see that the wolf was once again the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave,\u201d he grunted at her.<\/p>\n

Holding her bleeding side with her hands, she pushed through the pain and ran\u2014stumbling, falling to her knees more than once\u2014but eventually making it back to the house. The door was still open, she noticed, and, with what energy she had left, she stumbled inside, bolted the door and collapsed. When she was able, she tore at her already-ripped blouse to make long strips. Using them as bandages, she dressed the wound.<\/p>\n

As she worked, the room became steadily darker; the sun was setting, her family would be home soon. She did what she could to pull herself together for their sakes. They couldn\u2019t know. No one could know. No one could ever, ever know!<\/p>\n

When her family returned, they found her sitting in the tiny parlor, sewing.<\/p>\n

She fumbled through the next few days. When emotion overwhelmed her, she simply went to her room. One morning her oldest son questioned her. She told him it was nothing, but his face told her he didn\u2019t believe her. She knew he\u2019d go to his father, but no longer cared.<\/p>\n

* * *AWR<\/p>\n

AWRThe garden was where Julia went often to seek solace, and she was there when Merideth found her that afternoon, sitting and staring vacantly at her favorite rosebush, the one he gave her on her birthday: the one she nurtured like her seventh child.<\/p>\n

In May of 1785, Merideth answered the call of God to go to Llandyfan, Wales. He took Bibles, medicines, his wife and small son. To the Baptists, who had established themselves in this new territory, Merideth was a Godsend. To the evil that had taken root all around, he was an adversary. Merideth won many souls over. For him and his family, it was a new beginning, something they were looking forward to. But now, his dear wife was troubled, and that troubled him mightily.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what thought has you staring so intently?\u201d Merideth asked, his kind voice offset by his worry.<\/p>\n

Julia broke herself from her trance, shook her head. \u201cNothing, Meri.\u201d She tried but failed to smile.<\/p>\n

Merideth took a few steps closer, sat on his heels next to where she\u2019d settled on a small wooden bench, one he\u2019d made for her so she could sit while tending to her roses. \u201cOur oldest son has come to me with concerns about his mother. I have been far too busy, I should have seen. You haven\u2019t been yourself, and I do so miss that. What is troubling you?\u201d<\/p>\n

She wanted to tell him but her words caught in her throat. The memory of that horrid day was still too fresh. All at once she felt the man\u2019s hands on her again, could hear him breathing close to her ear, smell the earth as he pinned her to the ground. She stared at Merideth, tried to push the memories away, but they couldn\u2019t be stopped. Tears threatened.<\/p>\n

Merideth, seeing this, attempted to pull her toward him with gentle hands. But all Julia could see was the man in the woods. \u201cNo,\u201d she said, and flung her hands in front of her.<\/p>\n

His alarm grew. \u201cJulia, please, I just\u2014 If I have done something, please tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n

She was staring at the ground when she spoke. \u201cIt is not you, it is me. I . . . I have shamed you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShamed me?\u201d he sputtered. \u201cWhat are you saying? You could never shame me.\u201d<\/p>\n

She took a wavering breath. \u201cTwo days ago, there was a man. When you took the children with you. He-He came into the house while I was alone\u2014 I tried to run, Meri, but he grabbed me and took me to the woods . . . to where another man waited and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJulia,\u201d Merideth said, his breath going out of him, and then again, \u201cJulia.\u201d<\/p>\n

He took her by her shoulders this time, and Julia froze. After a second, though, she realized this was Meri, her Meri, and not some terrible memory. Seconds later, she relaxed, allowed him to hold her close, drew from his strength.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe you kept this from me,\u201d he said, his voice catching. \u201cI can\u2019t believe you\u2014 that you didn\u2019t say something sooner. Right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI . . . I didn\u2019t want to upset the children.\u201d<\/p>\n

In awe, Merideth held her at arms\u2019 length. \u201cThe children? Julia, what about you? What did you think would happen if you kept this inside?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI also didn\u2019t want to lose you. I couldn\u2019t bear it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs if I would ever consider leaving you!\u201d<\/p>\n

A tiny wave of relief washed over her.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are my life, Julia. My world.\u201d He pulled her close again. \u201cWe\u2019ll get through this. God will help us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s more, Meri,\u201d Julia said, pushing herself farther away on the bench. \u201cThe man . . . the first man, he-he came back after the other man had . . . had\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Merideth put a finger to her lips before she could finish. \u201cNone of it matters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s not what you think.\u201d She wanted to get the words out before fear overwhelmed her. \u201cThe first man, he . . . he talked about your mission, about the work you do.\u201d The words rushed out now. \u201cHe said we should leave this place and never come back. Said there was no room for good here, that evil prevailed. He then said . . .\u201d she took a deep breath, \u201cif we didn\u2019t leave, he would come back for the children and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

She couldn\u2019t finish, and he wouldn\u2019t make her. Neither did he hesitate to respond. \u201cThen we shall move\u2014as soon as possible. We will leave this place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Meri, this is where you felt the Lord leading you! You have sacrificed so much, worked so hard\u2014it would be like giving up.\u201d She was remembering the stir he\u2019d caused when he started baptizing. Immersion in water wasn\u2019t something familiar to anyone in the area then.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Lord will understand,\u201d he said without compromise. \u201cI must protect you . . . our children.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you have done so much good here. If only I could have gotten away\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cListen to me, Julia! This was not your fault. It was a terrible thing that happened to you, but we will get through it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Meri . . . I fear . . . I fear I am with child. His child.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meri\u2019s eyes widened, but held none of the censure Julia had dreaded. \u201cYou really believe you are with child?\u201d he said, wiping a wayward tear from her face. \u201cHis child?\u201d<\/p>\n

She could only nod.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it has only been two days, how can you\u2014? The midwife was certain you could bear no more. We have tried, and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

At last, her eyes met his. \u201cI know how it must sound, and I don\u2019t want to believe it either. But I\u2019ve had six. I . . . I know how it feels. All six times, I felt like I do now.\u201d<\/p>\n

A long pause later, Meri said, \u201cThen we will have another child\u2014another AWRblessing.\u201d<\/p>\n

The words sounded harsh to Julia. No, they sounded foolish. How could this child ever be a blessing? \u201cNot like this, Meri,\u201d she said, more tears breaking free. \u201cNot like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be fine, Julia. You\u2019ll see. We will call it a miracle. The children will be overjoyed. No one will know the truth but us . . . and we will never tell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could love this child?\u201d she said, not believing.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs if it were my own. I love you, Julia and if this child is yours, then it is mine and it always will be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMeri . . . there is one other thing.\u201d Because of the bizarre nature of what she was about to say, she didn\u2019t wait for him to ask. \u201cBefore the man left\u2014 the first man, the one who led me into the woods, he . . . he turned into a wolf.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the first time, she saw disbelief pass over his face\u2014and something else.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps you were just overwhelmed by what happened,\u201d he said. \u201cDelirious. It-It must have been horrible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Julia eased up her blouse, carefully removed the strips of cloth she kept over her wounds and revealed what was beneath. The marks were deep and still looked fresh. \u201cHe told me . . . before he changed . . . you might need proof.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her tears returned, but Merideth could only stare glassy-eyed. He had seen marks such as these before. A young boy and two men from his last mission. All three had died after being attacked by a wolf. All three bore marks identical to the ones his wife was showing him now. And all three had given him a message before they breathed their last breath. They had told him to leave and never come back.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid he bite you?\u201d he asked awkwardly. \u201cWhen he was the wolf, I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

Julie shook her head. \u201cNo. Just left these scratches.\u201d She had a hard time figuring out why he asked something so odd. \u201cIs there a reason why you need to know that? Would-Would it make matters worse?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust different,\u201d Merideth said, and reached out to help her ease her shirt back down. \u201cNow, let\u2019s go have those scratches looked at.\u201d<\/p>\n

* * *AWR<\/p>\n

As he left with her, the two responsible looked on from behind thick bushes. One was a man, the other . . . not quite. He\u2019d been cursed centuries ago, his soul held captive by his own evil. He had cursed many, and would therefore remain cursed forever.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d the one beside him said. \u201cI did what you asked. Yet I still don\u2019t understand why you couldn\u2019t have done it yourself.\u201d He gave the same leering smile that had so frightened Julia. \u201cYou might have enjoyed it. I rather did.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man listening wasn\u2019t bothered by the comment. His curse lessened his desire to indulge in the act the other man referred to, even made it difficult. Even if he had been able to, there was no way for him to do what the other man had done. The act, yes, but his seed wouldn\u2019t yield any offspring. He had tried many times before without success.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust seems odd to me you wouldn\u2019t want her for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man gave a distant nod, but said nothing. He had other ways of getting pleasure. Spreading his curse was one of those. But since this interfering minister had come to live in the town, pleasure was hard to come by. It wasn\u2019t easy to get close to people who forever had a prayer on their lips or a cross around their neck.<\/p>\n

He had to get rid of the minister . . . make an example of him so others wouldn\u2019t feel inclined to take up his cause. This was his territory. He was here first, and the minister was in the way.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo when do I get the money you promised?\u201d his companion said. \u201cI need to be on my way.\u201d He gave a furtive grin. \u201cOr maybe I\u2019ll just visit Julia again.\u201d<\/p>\n

He put a hand to the talkative man\u2019s throat and squeezed. \u201cJulia with child. No touch Julia!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would you care?\u201d the man croaked. \u201cIt\u2019s not your child, but mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

The accusation was true, to a point. Yet the scratches he\u2019d left for the minister to see were potent enough to affect the child. Perhaps it would develop keen hearing or an enhanced sense of smell. He\u2019d heard of a similar attack, which yielded a boy-child who could pick up a scent as quick as any dog. When the child was old enough, weaned from its mother\u2019s breast, the attacker, the one who\u2019d done the scratching, took the child from his parents. In the same way, Julia\u2019s child would be his child. When the time was right.<\/p>\n

Gasping sounds brought his attention back to the one at the end of his arm, and he loosened his grip slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d the man sputtered. \u201cI won\u2019t touch her. Just give me my money and I\u2019ll be on my way.\u201d<\/p>\n

He might have screamed if he\u2019d known what was coming, but he was dead the second the canine-like fangs pierced the large vein in his neck. He never felt his mutilated body being dragged, then dropped near the spot where Julia\u2019s attack occurred.<\/p>\n

* * *AWR<\/p>\n

The gravedigger stood knee-deep in what he\u2019d already dug out and shoveled a little longer, his task not far from done. The man\u2019s remains lay, covered, a few feet away.<\/p>\n

There were no mourners.<\/p>\n

Merideth was there to read last rites at the request of another who\u2019d had other obligations, and Julia had come along with him. She often did when she could arrange to be away from the children. And Merideth had said the one they were burying had no family, no friends anyone knew of, and this bothered her. Julia believed everyone deserved a proper burial, so she stood by the grave of someone she didn\u2019t know, face veiled and head bowed, to pay her respects.<\/p>\n

The gravedigger worked a little longer, then climbed out, plunged his shovel into the fresh pile of dirt and stepped far back, wiping beads of sweat from his forehead. \u201cWhenever you\u2019re ready, Minister.\u201d<\/p>\n

Merideth nodded, clutched his Bible, and knelt beside the body. When the gravedigger bowed his head, Julia raised hers, and when Merideth lifted the shroud covering the man\u2019s face, as he typically did to begin the service, Julia gasped, \u201cIt\u2019s him!\u201d<\/p>\n

Stunned, Merideth looked back toward Julia, turned slightly to the gravedigger. When it was clear the man hadn\u2019t heard her, he turned back to Julia. \u201cYou\u2019re sure?\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

She brought a shaky hand to her mouth and nodded. Merideth got up and went to his wife, pulled her close, noting her rapid breathing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m taking you home,\u201d he said, lifting her up to carry her back to their horse-drawn wagon.<\/p>\n

The gravedigger was paying attention now, and looked confused. \u201cBut what about your duty?\u201d he called after them.<\/p>\n

Merideth\u2019s words were hard. \u201cYou shall have to find the Devil himself to bury that one.\u201d<\/p>\n

A week after, Merideth and his family loaded their possessions and moved on.<\/p>\n

MY REVIEW:<\/h3>\n

Never Ceese<\/a> was definitely a new experience in Christian fiction for me. I don’t think I have ever run across a novel in this genre dealing with vampires and werewolves. The book was very well written and drew me in immediately. Back in the days when I did read books about such subjects, they were usually pretty horrific and dark. Never Ceese<\/a> approaches the subject from an entirely new angle.<\/p>\n

Richard, the vampire and Ceese, the werewolf have been brought together by their mutual friend Penny who wants to help them both overcome their curse. As their story plays out, the reader gets an intimate view of their struggles with the strong urges that come from their curse as they attempt to keep the curse from becoming permanent. As they travel to New York in their quest to be free of their curse, they cross paths with a man who wants to use them for his own purposes.<\/p>\n

Never Ceese<\/a> is definitely a change from the ordinary and pushes the boundaries of both traditional Christian fiction and traditional vampire\/werewolf lore. In Never Ceese<\/a> the “fiends” are the victims and heroes who are willing to risk everything to break their curse and return to their original faith.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It is time to play a Wild Card! Every now and then, a book that I have chosen to read is going to pop up as a FIRST Wild Card Tour. Get dealt into the game! (Just click the button!) Wild Card Tours feature an author and his\/her book’s FIRST chapter! You never know when […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-208","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-books"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/208","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=208"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/208\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=208"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=208"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=208"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}