Two years ago, Hayden Fox wasn’t sure she would walk again, much ride a bucking bronco. Being on the backside of a horse was bittersweet and while being a cowgirl was all she’d ever dreamed of, it came at a price.

One she knew this time she might pay with her life. However, she didn’t know what else to do. Her uncle had paid all her bills. He’d made sure she was well-taken care of and he never let her forget he’d given up everything to ensure she had the best doctors and the best training money could buy.

For the last ten years, Sawyer Lawson has been making his way from one country bar stage to the next. All he cared about was plucking his guitar, keeping his head, and staying out of trouble.

Only trouble had a way of finding him and this time it came in the form of a sexy cowgirl who needs the same kind of help that once landed Sawyer behind bars.

Hayden Fox is going to make a comeback, she has to make some good money to get her Uncle out of debt and away from her for good.

Sawyer sings at Boone’s, performing his own songs and hoping to connect to the audience. He’s a loner, with little interest in the women who proposition him. Often he slips out the back and walks home at the end of the night. It’s at the end of that walk he first meets Hayden.

This is a favorite scene.

However, when he stepped up on the shared front porch and found a young lady sitting on the swing by herself with a glass of wine, he wasn’t sure what to think, much less say or do.

“Hey there,” he said, deciding he couldn’t be rude, though he might consider using the back entrance from now on. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be social. Okay. He didn’t. It was just that this part of singing was fake, and he preferred to let the music speak for itself.

However, having a conversation with his neighbor wasn’t the same. It was a normalcy he needed to let into his life.

She raised her glass. “Hi.”

“We haven’t really had a chance to meet. I’m Sawyer Lawson. I rent the upstairs apartment.”

“The name is Hayden Fox, and my uncle Kevin and I rent the lower level.”

Sawyer had wished he could have afforded the four-bedroom apartment that made up the rest of the house, but instead he occupied the one-bedroom loft of the Cape Cod style home that might as well be a studio but who was he to complain. He had a roof over his head and every night he got to sing and thus far, for the last eighteen months, he hadn’t had to move because of his past.

However, his past always had a way of catching up to him and he was already considering moving on. He’d even gotten a couple of gigs a few towns away, just to check things out.

They weren’t Boone’s and Sawyer hadn’t the inclination to pack up just yet.

“Your uncle?” Sawyer leaned against the railing and folded his arms. He remembered the morning he’d been woken from a sound sleep when Hayden and her uncle had moved in. “I’m glad you clarified that.”

She rocked back and forth, sipping her wine, staring off into the night. She’d pulled her long blond hair into a high ponytail and she wore a pair of faded jeans, cowboy boots, and a red-and-white shirt tucked neatly into her slacks. She had a slender figure. Or at least he assumed she did, but it was hard to tell because her clothes were a tad baggy.

And he was surprised she wore a long-sleeved shirt when it was close to seventy-five degrees out.

He found himself slowly checking out the way she carried herself, looking for other signs.

Shit.

Just because a woman wore long sleeves in the middle of summer didn’t mean anything.

“The older couple next door might mistake your uncle for a dirty old man who likes young girls.” Sawyer laughed. “And if they thought it, I’m sure that rumor is spreading like wildfire through this small town.”

She cocked her head. “You don’t know who I am, do you?”

“Should I?”

“No. Not necessarily.” She waved her hand in front of her face. “I’ve been away from the rodeo for a couple of years, but most people around here know who I am and why I left.”

“Sorry. I barely know how to ride a horse and even though I’ve lived here for a year and everyone knows my name, I don’t think I know anyone but Boone and Crew and maybe a couple of the Whiskey brothers, but I always get them confused.”

She looked him up and down with a smirk. “You dress like a country boy. You sing like a country boy. But you can’t ride a horse? That’s shameful.”

He shrugged. “I was born and raised a city slicker. What can I say.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the man she called uncle strolling down the street.

She stopped swinging.

“You should be in bed, young lady,” her uncle said, waving his fingers. “And you certainly shouldn’t be drinking while training.”

“It’s just one glass to unwind and last time I checked, I was a grown-up.” Hayden leaned forward and groaned as she stood.

Sawyer reached out and curled his fingers around her forearm. “Are you okay?”

She shrugged free. “I’m fine.” She handed the wineglass to her uncle, then placed both hands on her back and stretched. “Sawyer, this is my uncle Kevin.”

“You’re the singer at Boone’s place,” Kevin said.

Sawyer winced as he watched Hayden twist her body and contort her face. He’d seen that look before on his mother’s face, though never in public. She always did her best to hide the pain and to cover up the shame whenever they were around other people. Whatever was going on with Hayden, it was out in the open and Sawyer should mind his own fucking business.

Something else that often got him in trouble and forced him to have to move on.

“I am.” “You’re pretty good,” Kevin said.

“Thanks.”

Kevin opened the door to the downstairs apartment. “Too bad we won’t be able to appreciate your music too often, but between my early morning work schedule and my niece’s training and traveling, we’ll be really busy, but it was nice meeting you.” He took Hayden by the arm and guided her through the door. “I’m sure you’re a stand-up guy, but my niece is trying to get her career back on track. I’d appreciate it if you kept your distance.” Kevin turned on his heel and tugged the door closed, clicking the lock.

Then the deadbolt.

The hair on the back of Sawyer’s neck stood straight up.

He ran a hand across his short, thick hair.

Something didn’t add up. He pulled out his cell, tapped on the internet icon app, and typed in Hayden’s name.

A few articles, images, and YouTube videos came up.

He scanned the headlines.

Hayden Fox may be only sixteen, but she’s going to give Cheyenne Hawkins a run for her money.
Hayden Fox is favored to make a clean sweep at the Twin City Rodeo.
Tragedy nearly takes Hayden Fox’s life.
Hayden Fox may never walk again.
Hayden Fox was seen leaving the Whiskey Ranch last month, making everyone wonder if she’s going to make a comeback.

Sawyer tapped the YouTube video of the accident that nearly crippled Hayden. It took eight seconds before he had to turn away. “Jesus,” he muttered. He blinked, watching the rest of the video, which was only nine minutes, documenting her recovery.

No wonder she wore clothes covering herself up if all this was true about her injuries.

The light in the front room flicked off.

At least she had someone who stood by her and helped to take care of her, even if he seemed a little rough around the edges.
Jen Talty. Whiskey Smash: It’s All In The Whiskey (Kindle Locations 258-311). Jupiter Press.

There is far more in play than Hayden knows. Her uncle is in far more trouble than he believes.

Sawyer knows a lot more than he’s telling as well, but much comes out as he and Hayden start a relationship.

Some intrigue combined with a simmer to sizzle romance.

5 Contented Purrs for Jen!

Jen Talty

Welcome to my World! I’m a USA Today Bestseller of Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, and Paranormal Romance.

I first started writing while carting my kids to one hockey rink after the other, averaging 170 games per year between 3 kids in 2 countries and 5 states. My first book, IN TWO WEEKS was originally published in 2007. In 2010 I helped form a publishing company (Cool Gus Publishing) with NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Mayer where I ran the technical side of the business through 2016.

I’m currently enjoying the next phase of my life…the empty NESTER! My husband and I spend our winters in Jupiter, Florida and our summers in Rochester, NY. We have three amazing children who have all gone off to carve out their places in the world, while I continue to craft stories that I hope will make you readers feel good and put a smile on your face.

At the end of ‘All Hail’ Avery finds what she believes is the Crow’s murder board and a man. She’s found out just who is in his basement but now she needs answers as to why her family is on that board.

She’s closer than ever to Aodhan and no matter what she’s not letting go. Whatever relationship she has with Atticus now will have to include the other man in her life. They are so different in the way they treat her, Aodhan gives her the wings to fly and Atticus tries to cage her.

This is a favorite scene.

The fishing docks are enough of a drive away that I can go through the photos again and try to decide what I think is happening. If he can’t explain it to me now then… then maybe it really is time to cut him free.

I can’t bring myself to actually say it though.

When we pull into the parking lot, Atticus’ car is already there waiting. I prepare myself to have to face Luca again, but when the driver’s side door opens, Atticus himself steps out.

He’s come alone.

Aodhan gets out of the car, and I wait for him to open my door for me, specifically because I know it will piss Atticus off and, sure enough, he stares Aodhan down like he’s plotting out his murder.

They’re so different.

Standing this close together here it’s so unbelievably obvious how different they really are and yet I crave them both the same.

Atticus is wearing his usual charcoal suit, pressed and dry cleaned to perfection, with a pair of Hermes leather shoes. The crisp white shirt he’s wearing under the suit jacket covers his tattoos I’ve only managed to get a peek at and he’s wearing, as always, the Rolex I bought for him years ago.

Aodhan is wearing jeans and a tee with a jacket thrown overtop like he couldn’t care less what he’s wearing. With the same biker boots every Mounty I’ve ever met has an obsession for, he looks as though he’s ready to wade into a street fight or a party by the docks, further down the coast from where we’re now standing.

I stay tucked into Aodhan’s side.

Atticus’s jaw flexes as he grinds his teeth. “Avery, I asked to meet so I could speak privately with you.”

Aodhan tenses but I shrug effortlessly, as though this is nothing to me despite my heart attempting to beat its way out of my chest. “You should have been clearer when you messaged; I don’t trust you enough right now to be here alone with you. There’s too many unanswered questions.”

His eyes narrow at me. “You mean other than you disappearing from my property in the middle of the night and then ignoring my calls? I had to call the Coyote to find out that you were safe.”

Aodhan stays silent, thankfully, but the two of them still glare at each other like they’re each waiting for the other person to make a wrong move.

It’s infuriating.

I need answers.

“Why is my brother’s photo tacked to the wall of your basement with his eyes crossed out? Harley, Blaise, Lips, half the O’Cronin family. Illi, Harbin, Roxas, the Boar… the list goes on, Atticus. Why? And while we’re on the subject of your basement, why is Bing down there?”

No one would be able to pick up that I’ve surprised him, but I know him far too well to miss the signs. Once upon a time I would’ve said I knew Atticus Crawford the same way I knew myself, except then I fell down his rabbit warren of lies.

“I’m not talking about this with him here, Avery.”

I huff and squeeze Aodhan’s hand. “Take me home, we’re done here. I’m done. I’m not going to be lied to and manipulated anymore.”

Atticus takes a step forward. “Avery, for Christ’s sake, all I have done is protect you! Everything, everything, I have done since I came to Mounts Bay has been a move to get you out from your father’s house.”

I step away from Aodhan and towards Atticus, my temper flaring. “You bought me, wasn’t that enough? You said you were worried about Ash? Then why the fuck was his photo on that wall?”

“How could you think I’d want Ash dead? You think that lowly of me, that I’d kill your beloved, asshole of a twin brother? For fuck’s sake, Avery!”

Absolutely not, I won’t stand for him using that tone at me. “You stood and watched Lips have her leg shattered to pieces. You told me yourself that you knew all about what my father was doing to Ash. I’m sure that you wouldn’t physically harm me, Atticus, but I’m not sure you have any other lines when it comes to my family.”

It’s bounced around in my head a hundred times since I stumbled across that wall in the basement, but I still haven’t figured out a plausible answer. “Explain to me why Ash’s photo was on that wall. Give me a good reason. And Harley, Blaise, Lips, Aodhan, Jack…these people are non-negotiable to me and you have them pinned up on your murder board with their eyes crossed out!”

Atticus takes a deep, ragged breath and steps forward, his face set like stone. Aodhan steps up to me again, his body slightly in front of mine like he’s prepared to dive in front of a bullet.

Or stop Atticus from snatching me and running.

The look that Atticus throws at him is purely the Crow, the man who walked out of his privileged life and into Mounts Bay to win the Game and become one of the country’s most feared crime lords.

I can’t stick around for this, my heart is aching at how badly he’s ruined everything for us.

I turn away from him, prepared for this to be the last time I ever meet with him.

“Amanda Donnelley has been sending those photos for months.”

I freeze but when I don’t turn around he continues, “She’s either the person sending them to you as well, pretending to be the Collector, or she’s working with someone else. I know you think she’s nothing worth worrying about but, Avery, she’s more dangerous than you’d ever think.”

I finally glance back at him and he’s finally looking at me, ignoring Aodhan altogether. “I’ve done a lot of things I’m not proud of, I’ve become the worst sort of monster, but some things are sacred and you, your family and your happiness included, are one of those things. I don’t care how much he hates me, I would never harm Ash.”

I turn back to the car, ready to head home and throw everything I have at finding and destroying Amanda fucking Donnelley.

Atticus calls out again, “All members of the Twelve have to sponsor at least one person into the Game. If the Wolf isn’t going to come home for the fights then you’ll have to name someone for her. The meeting is in two days, have your sponsors ready.”

I give him a curt nod because I’m well aware of the rules, but Aodhan tenses again, glancing down at me. I shrug at him because we’ll just find him some thug to throw in the same way Illi did for Lips the last time, but he lets out a sigh like the day just got infinitely harder for him.

I know the feeling.
Bree, J. The Ruthless: Queen Crow #2. Kindle Locations (567-617). Kindle Edition.

Things just keep getting more and more complicated as the the games begin.

I love Avery and Aodhan together, and Atticus well…

So much suspicion, so much tension, disrespect and Avery is growing stronger in many ways. Plenty of action, bloodshed and some OMG did that just happen.

The ending has me wishing for a time machine so I can read it now, is it July yet?

5 Contented Purrs for J.

J. Bree

J Bree is a dreamer, writer, mother, farmer, and cat-wrangler.

The order of priorities changes daily. She lives on a small farm in a tiny rural town in Australia that no one has ever heard of.

She spends her days dreaming about all of her book boyfriends, listening to her partner moan about how the wine grapes are growing, and being a snack bitch to her two kids.

If you want to hear more about all things Mounts Bay then join my readers group! There’s a lot of creative ways to dispose of a body in the Bay so come join the fun.

This is the start of a trilogy that is Avery’s story. Of course everyone else will be involved in one way or another so we’re definitely in for a wild ride.

The book begins with Lips, Blaise, Harley and Ash heading out on tour. Ash doesn’t want Avery to stay behind, but she needs the time. Time to come to terms with what happened in the Jackal’s lair, time to figure out what’s between her and Aodhan. She’s also the Wolf’s representative at the meetings of the Twelve and that’s something Atticus/Crow isn’t happy about. Well that and the investigating he’s doing on the the Lily Heart Killer. He thinks it’s the Devil/Nate and won’t look elsewhere.

At that first meeting of the Twelve she and the others find out about someone dealing the Jackal’s drugs, the only difference is the logo has the eyes crossed out in black marker. Something else for Avery to look into.

We find out exactly what happen to her and Aodhan in the Jackal’s lair and who else knows about it. She’s also looking into Lip’s siblings, but the Boar left one out. Avery is following every lead she can in finding out who that sibling is. Then there’s the photos that start showing up.

She also needs more influential people in her pocket and with that in mind she attends a Gala thrown by Blaine Morrison, Blaise’s father. A new player enters the scene at this event.

This is a favorite scene.

I’m sipping and glaring at Blaine when I feel a presence besides me, the scent of the Hermes perfume that comes with her screaming money.

I glance over, ready to just tell the gossiper to fuck off, but I don’t recognize this woman.

Perfectly styled blond hair, a stunningly understated Missoni gown, with neutral makeup and a red lip shade that might even be the same as mine.

I meet her eyes right as we’re both finished assessing each other. She smiles at me and there’s a flirty edge to it, something just a little too friendly. “The Galvan was a great choice; it fits the lines of your body perfectly.”

Illi smothers a cough next to me but I ignore him. “I know better than to attempt a Ferragamo nightmare at a gala like this. Missoni is a good choice, a little safe for my tastes.”

Every other woman I have interacted with tonight would have been pissed at that comment but the flirty smirk just widens on her face. “You must be Avery Beaumont. I’ve heard so much about you. How bold of you to bring the Butcher of the Bay so far from home but I suppose you’ve leashed him appropriately. Who knew he could look so good in a suit?”

It’s only through a lifetime of practice that neither Illi or I react. Although we haven’t tried to hide who he really is, we weren’t expecting someone to call Illi out like this and to call that stunning suit of his a leash?

Who the fuck is this bitch?

I let my eyes fall back on Blaise’s idiot father as I sip my drink. “What a shame, I’ve heard nothing about you.”

The woman’s head tilts like she’s being coy and I suddenly feel like I have no idea what is happening here. Is she actually flirting with me? Is this an act? Has she taken a hit to the head and thinks it’s funny to play with people who will murder her without second thought?

“Welcome to the bigger pond, Floss. Take care not to be eaten alive.”

What the hell?

Illi and I watch as she sashays away from us, the target painted very clearly on her back from the both of us because I might not know a thing about the woman right now, but I’m going to know everything about her the moment I leave this gala.

“Is there someone you can call about her? Fuck, I think she wants in you, Queenie. I’m not sure whether that was a sex thing or a blood thing but either way you’re on her radar.”

I shrug and lie through my teeth, mostly to comfort myself. “She’s probably just some bored socialite with a Fed for a husband. Or a high-profile drug lord selling cocaine in back rooms at these sorts of events.”

Illi huffs and shakes his head. “Fucking rich people.”

I smirk at him and we both stand there and watch as the woman works her way around the room. Every person she approaches greets her enthusiastically but every action is laced with fear.

Who the hell is she?

Illi progressively drinks his whiskeys, one after another, and I’m expecting him to actually get drunk but when I mention that to him he rolls his eyes at me. Apparently, he’s like Harley and has a ridiculous tolerance. I slowly sip at the champagne and just people watch, soaking in every last interaction around me until I have a running list to work with.

I don’t see Atticus arrive. I don’t even realize he’s here until he sneaks up behind us from the other end of the ballroom.

“Are you trying to get yourself killed?” he murmurs in my ear, and I sip at the champagne in my hand as though it doesn’t affect me at all.

Illi huffs and crosses his arms over his chest, still as fierce as ever in his suit. I glance over at him but he’s shaking his head.

“And what exactly have I done now? Am I not allowed to speak to people anymore?”

Atticus steps forward and takes the glass out of my hand, setting it down on the table behind us. I glare at him but he ignores it.

“Amanda Donnelley is not someone you own. She’s someone you court to get information from. You pay her, you owe her favors, you kill people at her request so she’ll open her books to you.”

I purposefully keep my eyes away from the smiling banshee of a woman, grinning and giggling as she drapes herself over Blaine Morrison. For that alone, I want to rip her throat out but the words out of Atticus’ mouth just make it worse.

“Is this your way of telling me you’ve been whoring yourself out to her to build your empire? I’m sorry to tell you that I’m not going to play that game. I don’t kneel for anyone.”

Illi murmurs praises under his breath but Atticus’ eyes narrow at him. “You belong to the Wolf. So does your little psychotic guard dog.”

I lean down to retrieve my drink and smirk at him. “We stand with Lips. We always have, being inducted just means that you know where my loyalty lies. If I gave a fuck about the validity of the politics of Mounts Bay, I’d join the Game but I’ll have a seat at any table I want.”

Atticus stares at me for a moment and then steps back to motion at me to follow him, the look on his face expectant and demanding. When I glance back over at that Donnelley hag again, he grabs my arm and tugs me to his side.

A snarl rips out of Illi but I shake my head at him. “I’ll be fine, Illi. Have a drink; I’ll be back in a minute.”
Bree, J. All Hail: Queen Crow #1. Kindle Locations (1402-1442). Kindle Edition.

Now more happens between Atticus and Avery than talking at the Gala and Avery isn’t letting that stop her from wanting or needing Aodhan.

Plenty of twists and turns in this one, along with bloodshed and interesting discoveries about the Crow part of Atticus.

The OMG ending makes me glad the next book is already out.

5 Contented Purrs for J.

J. Bree

J Bree is a dreamer, writer, mother, farmer, and cat-wrangler.

The order of priorities changes daily. She lives on a small farm in a tiny rural town in Australia that no one has ever heard of.

She spends her days dreaming about all of her book boyfriends, listening to her partner moan about how the wine grapes are growing, and being a snack bitch to her two kids.

If you want to hear more about all things Mounts Bay then join my readers group! There’s a lot of creative ways to dispose of a body in the Bay so come join the fun.