C.L. Stegall<\/p>\n
C.L. Stegall is a former Military Intelligence Linguist with a love of carrot cake. Mutli-published, C.L. writes of dangerous situations and the relationships that get our protagonists through those situations (somewhat) safely. With a wealth of experience and hard living behind him (and, in between making a living and a family), he has published novels, novellas, and short stories, as well as edited two anthologies while running his own publishing company. These days, he continues to write and to speak at writers\u2019 workshops and events whenever he can.<\/p>\n When not writing or speaking to folks about writing, CL spends his time with his lovely, irrepressible Wife and shares his abode with two dogs who think they run the joint.<\/p>\n Description<\/span><\/p>\n Dracula meets Criminal Minds<\/p>\n Dallas Police Detective Sean Fennema has seen some very peculiar things in his career, some of which still haunt him. Having moved from Orlando to the bustling metroplex of Dallas, Fennema had no expectations of a simple case load. That was a good thing.<\/p>\n Now, a series of brutal murders is vexing the department and Fennema is feeling the pressure. Nothing in the case makes sense, yet he feels a strange connection to it, as if there is an odd familiarity that he can\u2019t quite place a finger on. It is even more frustrating that his prime suspect, novelist Damon Gables, seems to have an airtight alibi for each of the murders. The thing is, he even admits to be with the first victim a short time before her death.<\/p>\n Fennema finds himself searching down every trail, even through history books. He runs down every lead and soon learns that Damon may be in just as much danger as the murderer\u2019s victims. Suddenly, a terrible truth begins to unfold that not only seems implausible but even threatens everything Fennema believes in.<\/p>\n Could what began as a case of serial killing actually be a series of specifically chosen attacks spanning centuries? Could his murderer be more unique than he would have expected and more dangerous than he could have ever imagined?<\/p>\n If the seasoned detective is in over his head, how can Damon rise to the challenge? Can they face off against a sly monster with a heart full of vengeance? Or, will they both be victims in a case of wrath?<\/p>\n Combining the edginess of a police procedural with the dark twists of urban fantasy, A Case of Wrath is a powerful trek into an underworld we rarely witness. What\u2019s been said about \u201cA Waif\u2019s Tale\u201d \u2013 \u201cTakes the reader through the amazing life of Paris as she grows from homeless orphan to one of the elite in an underground vampire society. Full of intrigue, love, and betrayal, it’s a unique and fantastic addition to vampire lore.” – O. M. Grey, Amazon Gothic Romance best-selling author of Avalon Revisited<\/p>\n Book excerpt<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHe could\u2019ve changed his name,\u201d Anders said, pecking at his keyboard in what appeared to be slow motion to Fennema. They had been searching for information on the suspect for hours and had run into a blank wall.<\/p>\n \u201cThere would still be a record of that somewhere.\u201d He stared at his screen and scrolled back and forth through what little information he could dig up on Gables. \u201cWhat about immigration?\u201d Anders said, still tapping at his keys like a metronome.<\/p>\n \u201cNope. I checked. Interpol doesn\u2019t have anything either.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMan. It\u2019s creepy.\u201d Anders shivered with exaggerated motion, shaking his arms out after.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThose words. Eat your heart out. Gives me the willies.\u201d \u201cWhat you got, boss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t call me that,\u201d Fennema replied, still stabbing at the keys with fierce intent. \u201cThose words mean something to the killer. Something specific.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure they do. But, what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeems to be a few different schools of thought about how the phrase originated. Has to be a clue in here somewhere. I just know it.\u201d He continued typing, scrolling and then halted. Fennema\u2019s face clouded with concern. He\u2019d had a gut feeling that this case was going to be more unpleasant than usual. \u201cGreat,\u201d he muttered. \u201cSometimes I hate it when \u201cWhat? Spill it, Sean. Whatcha got?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt looks like this was never as simple a phrase as we use it today. Most believe the origin refers to the one being taunted as one who will have their heart\u2014the core of their very being\u2014eaten out with desire, bitterness, or pain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that ain\u2019t good.\u201d Anders\u2019 mouth quickly snapped shut on seeing Fennema\u2019s disapproving expression. \u201cWhat else?\u201d he said, leaning in toward the screen.<\/p>\n \u201cAs far back as the 16th century, it appears to have meant to suffer from extreme anguish or grief. Whoever wrote that message had someone particular in mind, and they meant it for that person or people specifically.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe meant for us?\u201d Anders questioned. It was a valid supposition. Over the course of modern history there were innumerable instances where criminals had left messages for their pursuers.<\/p>\n \u201cHell if I know.\u201d Fennema rested his cheek on his fist and skipped to another web page. He read aloud. \u201cHistorically, the phrase has been used in a myriad of manners and instances, but one is more memorable than most.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the mid-to-late 18th century, on the cusp of the French Revolution, in the small town of Codigoro, Italy, there was a local ruler who had basically proclaimed herself queen. The woman was brutal, intelligent and a force to be reckoned with. Her name was Cinzia Rada. She had the reputation for taking young men under her \u2018care.\u2019 They were almost never heard from again. The stories of her sadism and masochistic tendencies were almost as horrible as her propensity to simply execute those who stood against her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJesus.\u201d Anders sat in rapt attention, leaning forward in his chair. His gaze focused solely on Fennema as the detective continued his discourse.<\/p>\n Author Website <\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.everywritersresource.com\/selfpublished\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/A-Case-of-Wrath-FINAL-eBook-Cover.jpg?resize=190%2C300&ssl=1\")
Author Bio<\/span><\/p>\n
\nA Case of Wrath is the first novella in the Valence of Infinity series, written by C.L. Stegall. The first novel in the series, The Waif\u2019s Tale, is to be published in December of 2017.<\/p>\n
\nDamon (no middle initial) Gables had bought the house in Turtle Creek in 2000. His noted profession was writer but, other than a few online columns, Fennema couldn\u2019t find any books by the man. Prior to the purchase of the home, as far as they could discern, Damon Gables did not exist. There was no birth certificate, no arrest record, not even a parking citation on file. Fennema huffed in frustration and leaned back in his squeaky chair.<\/p>\n
\nFennema sat bolt upright and began banging on his keyboard hard enough to draw Anders\u2019 attention.<\/p>\n
\nI\u2019m right.\u201d<\/p>\n