Monthly Archives: March 2024

3013: Claimed – 3013 The Series Book 3 by Laurie Roma

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The Year Is 3013.

Earth barely survived the Alien Wars that have ravaged the planet, and an unknown virus had nearly wiped out the entire population. On the brink of extinction, humans struggle to rebuild their civilization, although nothing would ever bring back what once was.

Enforcing martial law, a new age of mankind is born,
where warriors rule and women are the ultimate prize.
Only the elite earn breeding rights and are granted leave
to claim a woman in pairs. Men dream of the day
that they will be able to claim a woman to love,
but for those chosen being bond with two strangers.
The warriors may have the choice, but the battle
for their woman’s heart has only begun…

Claimed
3013 The Series Book 3
By
Laurie Roma

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As one of Earth’s greatest leaders, Commander Jax Spartan lives his life by a strict code. Dedicated and alpha to the core, he is the epitome of what every Elite soldier aspires to be. Second-in-command Sullivan Archer rules by his best friend’s side, and together they form an unstoppable force that few are foolish enough to challenge. Jax and Archer have always known they’d share their chosen, but their hearts have already been claimed by the woman they’ve vowed will belong to them.

Alliance scientist Serra Lysander is a genius who has kept the planet safe with her inventions. She’s lived a sheltered life, separated from society by her brilliant mind and her overprotective mother. The only time Serra has truly ever felt accepted is with the two men that will cost her everything…

When danger leads Serra straight into the arms of Jax and Archer, they will do anything to keep her safe, even claiming her despite the fact she is off limits. With the future of the Alliance on the line, will their love and dedication be enough to save them, or will they be too late to stop the growing threat from destroying them all?

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This book opens as Commanders Jax Spartan and Sulivan Archer are observing an interrogation. The woman, Serra Lysander, is someone they’ve both known since childhood and they know she has nothing to do with the problem being investigated, but she needs to be cleared.

Regent Marie Wyland-Ross and High Commander Roman Newgate are conducting this interview/interrogation. Jax would have stopped it if he could, but he was too late. He could however keep an eye on things, so they don’t go too far.

Unfortunately, things were about to as Serra begins to panic. To end things, Jax and Archer claim her.

This is a favorite scene.

To the outside world Jax and Sully were men to be feared, but they were gentle with her and never hesitated to show her how much they cared.

She had fallen in love with both Jax and Sully before she ever even knew what love really was, and when her mother had torn her away from them, she had been devastated. Because she was underage, she had to abide by her mother’s wishes when Tania had taken her off planet. She had always known she would make it back to Jax and Sully one day, but over the years it hadn’t happened.

Something had changed.

Serra wasn’t sure how it had happened, but Jax and Sully had faded from her life. She had tried to write to them for a while, but after they had stopped responding, she had given up sending the messages and simply stored them in her data files. She enjoyed her life of traveling. Her work was challenging and kept her busy. Still, she’d wanted to reach out to them, but every time she thought about it, she felt a little sick. Her heart would race and her head would begin to throb with a massive headache.

Every year she arranged to have time away from her mother and her work to attend the Freedom Day Gala back on Earth for one simple reason. She wanted to go to Jax and Sully, to seek them out and tell them how much she missed them. But something always stopped her. For some reason she couldn’t do it.

Every time she thought about Jax and Archer, the panic would take over, and when she saw them, terror made her flee even as her heart sang at the sight of them. She didn’t know what was wrong with her, but she knew something was. Hell, she had even gone as far as getting a med-scan to see if there was some medical reason for her abnormal response to them, but the results hadn’t given her any answers. Despite her severe reaction every time she thought of them, she still loved them, even if she couldn’t have them.

But she wanted them now.

Desperately.

A hand slammed down on the table, jerking Serra from her thoughts and had fear surging through her. “Ms. Lysander. You have to give us something. If you keep stonewalling us, there will be nothing we can do to help you when official charges are filed,” High Commander Newgate ordered.

“I don’t know what you want from me,” Serra whispered. “I told you, I don’t know anything. I don’t know what else I can say.”

Whenever she got agitated to the point of having a panic attack, she knew she needed certain things to help her combat the fear. She needed to find a quiet place where she felt safe and could refocus herself. Even better would be to wrap herself in her gravity cloak and curl up in a corner somewhere until the dread faded.  

She needed to get the hell out of that room before she completely lost her shit.

“I need a moment…”

“Ms. Lysander. This would all go quicker if you just answer our questions,” Regent Wyland-Ross said, sympathy showing in her eyes.

“I can’t answer what I don’t know!”

“You know something!” High Commander Newgate accused. “You’re not leaving here until we find out what you’re hiding.”

Serra knew she was in trouble as her breath began coming in harsh gasps as the terror spiked through her. Buzzing sounded in her ears as her vision blurred. Damn it, damn it, she knew she was headed toward a full-blown attack, and if High Commander Newgate and Regent Wyland-Ross didn’t know about her condition they could see her breakdown as guilt.

Please, please god, don’t try to touch me.

When she was in full panic mode she couldn’t stand having people touch her. She was hypersensitive to most things, and it only got worse when she was in this type of condition. Wrapping her arms around herself tight, she tried to regain some semblance of control as she became light-headed. She began tapping the fingers of each hand to her thumbs in sequence, counting silently in an attempt to calm herself with the gesture she had learned as a child. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. If she couldn’t regain some control, soon she wouldn’t be aware of anything around her. She was dangerous if that happened and would react without thinking.

“Ms. Lysander?”

Regent Wyland-Ross stood and started around the table as the door burst open.

“Don’t touch her!”

Serra turned her head and blinked rapidly. As if they’d heard her silent plea, Jax and Sully stormed into the room. Ignoring the others, they came to her, and she knew they could see how precariously close she was to losing herself to the hysterical blindness that could consume her. She wanted to tell them how happy she was to see them, how much she needed them there with her, but the words were locked in her throat that had all but closed as the muscles of her body locked up.

“Commander Spartan, Commander Archer. That door was locked. You’re not authorized to interrupt this interrogation,” High Commander Newgate bit out in a harsh tone.

Ignoring him, Sullivan Archer yanked Serra’s chair to the side so he could kneel in front of her. Gripping her chin he raised her head so she was staring into beautiful light-brown eyes. Just the sight of them calmed her more than anything else could.

“Hello, hummingbird. Just breathe. I’m here. Nothing is going to hurt you.”

She focused on Sully as pain surged through her head. It hurt to look at him, but she couldn’t seem to look away. She needed to see him. Needed him there with her.

High Commander Newgate made a move to push Archer away, but Jax shoved him back before he could get close.

“Commander Spartan, you are very close to being brought up on charges.”

Jax ignored the cold fury in High Commander Newgate’s voice. “You can’t touch her when she’s in this state. She’ll react without thinking and lash out. If you read her goddamn file, you would’ve known that.”

High Commander Newgate relaxed at the reminder. “Yes, I did. You’re right.”

“I’m sorry,” Regent Wyland-Ross said softly, shaken herself for almost making such a costly error. “I shouldn’t have tried to touch her, but I just wanted to make sure she was okay.”

“Archer and I will see to her.”

“You shouldn’t be in here,” High Commander Newgate said, but the heat of anger had faded.

Jax’s deadly smile would have made a lesser man shiver with fear. “Serra Lysander is ours to protect. And we will, from anyone. Even you. We claim her.”

He ignored High Commander Newgate’s curse and Regent Wyland-Ross’ sharp inhale, and turned at the sound of Archer’s voice. It was low, but there was a sense of urgency in it that instantly alarmed Jax.

“Jax. Something’s wrong.”

Dismissing everyone else, Jax quickly squatted down next to Archer so he could look into Serra’s eyes. Damn, the impact of those light-green eyes seared straight through to his soul. He could see that they were glazed with pain and fear, but there was something else shining back at him. There was relief. Relief at seeing him and Archer. She should have known they would come to her when she needed them.

This woman owned them.

And now they would own her as well.

“She’s in pain, but I don’t know why,” Archer whispered as he reached up to wipe away the sweat beading her brow. “Something is really wrong. This isn’t just a panic attack.”

“What is it, son?”

Gone was the powerful regent, replaced by a concerned father as Jax felt a hand grip his shoulder. “I don’t know. Get a med tech in here. Now!”

Jax didn’t look away from Serra as he barked out the order. The sound of scrambling feet behind him assured him that help was coming, but seeing the pain in her eyes was making him crazy. Beside him, Archer ripped off his uniform top and wrapped it carefully around her shoulders when she began to shake.

Serra winced as she raised a hand up to touch her fingers to her temple and Jax grabbed her other hand, gripping it tight in his own. Fingers wrapped around his like a vise, as if she were desperate to hold onto something. Her skin was cool to the touch, and he could feel her trembling increase. “What is it, sweetheart?”

“Don’t…know…head hurts…”

“Everything is going to be okay. We’ll take care of you. You know we will. You belong to us, Serra. Do you deny it?”

The throbbing in Serra’s head was making it hard to think, but she was aware enough to give him a small smile. “There is no denying it. Jax, I—”

Her words were cut off. The moment she said his name, stars exploded behind her eyes, making her cry out. She heard Jax and Sully both let out savage curses as she pitched forward in her chair. Her body never hit the ground as she felt Jax’s strong arms surrounding her, cradling her against his hard body. Unable to combat the pain any longer, she let the darkness claim her, knowing they would watch over her and keep her safe.
Roma, Laurie. 3013: CLAIMED (3013: The Series Book 3). Kindle Locations (338-417). Unknown. Kindle Edition.

Things are far more complicated than they could have imagined as the medical personnel can’t find anything wrong with Serra. Jax calls in Dominic Stryker and Arik D’Vir for help. Arik is a D’Aire and could read through her mind in a truth test. He would do that but not without her consent. However, before they could ask her, Dom asks her if she wants to press charges over Jax and Archer claiming her. The intense pain she gets as she tries to answer has Arik stepping forward to tell them she has a blank space in her mind that he could feel without probing. He believes her memories have been altered and that is what is causing her pain. Most likely with the use of the drug xili thought to have been destroyed.

The memory erased shows a deep betrayal and Serra will need to deal with that. Arik does help a bit by showing her some of his own of Jax and Archer always speaking of her with affection.

The most obvious person to be behind the current investigation really couldn’t be, but it also has to be someone close. The path to the truth adds intrigue, suspense and danger to an already tense situation.

I love Jax, Archer and Serra together. They will have much to work out with their professional lives, but compromise is always the key.

I will be continuing to read this series, I love these characters!

5 Contented Purrs for Laurie!

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Laurie Roma mainly writes contemporary, romantic suspense, fantasy, and sci-fi romance. She can usually be found tapping away on her keyboard, creating worlds for her characters while she listens to music. Of course, her playlist depends on her mood…but then again, so does her writing.

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3013: Renegade – 3013 Series Book 2 by Susan Hayes

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The Year Is 3013.

Earth barely survived the Alien Wars that have ravaged the planet, and an unknown virus had nearly wiped out the entire population. On the brink of extinction, humans struggle to rebuild their civilization, although nothing would ever bring back what once was.

Enforcing martial law, a new age of mankind is born,
where warriors rule and women are the ultimate prize.
Only the elite earn breeding rights and are granted leave
to claim a woman in pairs. Men dream of the day
that they will be able to claim a woman to love,
but for those chosen being bond with two strangers.
The warriors may have the choice, but the battle
for their woman’s heart has only begun…

3013: Renegade
3013 The Series Book 2
By
USA Today Bestselling Author
Susan Hayes

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In the aftermath of a war that almost destroyed Earth, the Alliance now rules, but not everyone chooses to live by their laws. Alayna is a rebel living by her own rules in the harsh badlands, outside the Alliance’s control. She is a thief, stealing from the wealthy to provide for those who cannot survive on their own, all while hiding the tattoo that marks her as one of the few remaining fertile women on Earth…making her a target.

Alliance Elites Nikolai Grekov and Colin Nielson are stationed at a neglected base on the edge of the badlands after years spent in space. Their orders are to track down an elusive thief that’s been plaguing the area’s outposts, but they also have their own agenda. Both men want to find and claim a fertile woman to call their own and fulfill their dreams of becoming a family.

When the men catch the sexy, headstrong, thief breaking into their home, they claim Alayna for their own. Nikolai and Colin may have claimed their chosen, but the battle for her heart has just begun. Can they find a way to win her trust or will their beautiful renegade’s need for freedom destroy their chance of happiness?

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We meet Alayna as she’s casing the house she’s going to break into. The elite soldiers make it easy for her, following a set schedule every day. She’s just waiting for them to leave. Once they do, it starts to rain. It would make her task a bit more difficult since she didn’t want to track mud inside or leave any DNA trace that could alert the Alliance one of their missing scrolls was alive and well in the badlands. As she’s searching for their office only finding bedrooms, she hears them return. Flooding. She has to get out, but she doesn’t make it.

Generals Nicolai ‘Griz’ Grecov and Colin ‘Ghost’ Nielson are discussing their plans for the evening when they are stopped by a flood. Apparently, no one mentioned flash floods were a thing here and no one thought to build a bridge or culvert to avoid the issue. Beyond annoyed they return home to see a thief running out the door. When they catch her and interrogate her, she realizes she’s probably going to prison.

However, she notices they are as attracted to her as she is to them and makes a change of plan. One night of pleasure couldn’t hurt, right?

This is a favorite scene.

It was close to morning before they finally let Alayna fall asleep. As she slumbered between them, Colin stared at her, feeling more than a little awed by their unexpected bedmate. She had gifted them with her passion and her body without reservation, making this night one he knew he’d never forget.

They had never met anyone like her, and it was almost a curse to know that someone that suited them both so well actually existed. The odds of finding a fertile woman with even a fraction of her sensual fire and sass were not even worth calculating. Thief or not, she was as close to perfect for them as they were ever likely to find. If only she could have children.

He and Nikolai had worked for years to earn the right to claim a fertile woman and start a family of their own. They had been in service to the Alliance since their testing, pushing themselves to be the best every day they had worn the uniform. For Colin, it wasn’t because he wanted prestige or promotion, but because he wanted to father children someday. He wanted the same love and laughter that he had grown up with, once his mother had been chosen by the only fathers he had ever known. He knew that Nikolai wanted that, too.

Nikolai loved spending time with Colin’s family, but avoided seeing his own unless protocol demanded it. It was one of the many reasons they intended to share their lives with a single woman, because they were seeking the same things. Not just a breeding partner, but a friend and a lover to share a life with.

If they were lucky, they’d find someone like Alayna. Hell, even the fact she was a thief was oddly perfect, given Griz’s love for rebelling against his family’s expectations every chance he got. Colin glanced over at his best friend, who was drifting off to sleep, his breathing already dropping to a sonorous rumble. A single reading lamp was the only light, and it was barely enough for him to make out the details of the small star tattoo on Alayna’s face. If they weren’t looking for their chosen, he’d be tempted to ask her to consider staying with them for the time being. But if they did that, what would they say to her when they found the woman who would bear their children?

He knew of other men who kept infertile lovers on the side even after taking a fertile chosen, but he had no intention of being one of them. He only wanted one woman in his life, and in his heart. Anything else would be dishonest somehow. That was something else he and Nikolai had agreed on. They weren’t going to claim just any scroll. They wanted one who had at least some chance of making them happy, and who could be happy with them.

Colin brushed a few strands of hair away from Alayna’s face, his fingers running over the star as he did so. The line smudged.

What the fuck?

“Griz, wake up,” he hissed and Nikolai came awake in an instant. His eyes flew open and he turned his head, looking completely alert despite having been asleep the previous second.

“What’s up?” he asked, his voice hushed.

“I’m not sure.” Colin kept his voice low. He didn’t want Alayna awake yet. Not until he knew for certain that his suspicions were correct.

“You woke me up because you’re not sure about something? What the fuck, man?”

“No, moron. I’m pretty sure about this, but you need to see it to believe me.” He pointed to the star on Alayna’s face and then ran his index finger through the center of it, pressing down a little harder this time.

The line blurred under his finger, and he knew he’d been right. The marking on her face wasn’t permanent, and that meant it wasn’t a real tattoo.

“Fuck me,” Nikolai swore under his breath as the implications of what they were seeing sunk in.

“I know. The question is, what do we want to do if that fake tattoo is covering a real one?”

Nicolai’s dark brows shot up and he looked from Colin to the still sleeping Alayna. An expression Colin had never seen crossed his best friend’s face, and he recognized it as longing. He knew it right away, because it was the same feeling he had every time he looked at her.

“If she’s a scroll, then we claim the little minx and deal with the consequences later.”

“I agree. And if she’s never been tested?”

“Then we get her tested right away, and pray she’s fertile. I don’t want to let her go. She’s perfect.”

“Yeah, she is. And she’s going to try to kill us if we claim her.”

Nicolai grinned at him. “I know. That’s part of what makes her perfect for us. She’s worth the risk.”

“Then let’s find out what’s under that star and go from there.” Colin eased himself away from Alayna, slipping out of bed with care so that he didn’t wake her. Once she figured out what was going on, she was going to fight them tooth and nail. Whatever her secret was, that star helped her keep it. If it hid the scrollwork tattoo of a fertile woman, then all three of their lives were about to change forever.

Alayna hadn’t intended to fall asleep. She wouldn’t have thought it possible considering her surroundings. She never slept well away from the security of camp. Years of living rough had honed her instincts, to the point that couldn’t happen. At least she had thought so. The fact she had woken up still wrapped up in the arms of her lovers would be pretty damning evidence her instincts were not as good as she thought they were.

Fuck. Disgust at her failure to stay awake turned to ice-cold terror as she felt something scrubbing at the right side of her face. Adrenaline flooded her system even before her eyes opened and she launched herself out of bed. At least, she tried to.

Instead, it felt as though a pair of steel bands tightened around her, pinning her arms to her side and holding her tight against a solid mass of muscle. Colin was the only one she could see, and he had an expression of wary determination on his handsome face. A trickle of water ran down her cheek, and she knew what he was doing. While she’d been asleep, her make-up must have smudged, betraying her secret.

“Get your hands off me!” She channeled her fear into anger, desperate to somehow salvage the situation. Her arms might be held, but her legs were free and she lashed out with them, hammering her heels against Nikolai’s shins.

“Not going to happen, vorovka. We need to see what you’ve been hiding from us,” Nicolai murmured from behind her. He threw one leg over hers, quelling her thrashing.

“You’ve seen me naked. Just what exactly do you think I’m hiding?”

Colin swiped something across her face again and then exhaled sharply. “That, for starters.” There was only one word to describe the expression on Colin’s face as he stared at her. Longing. She had expected anger, condemnation or even a gleam of greed. Instead he was looking at her as if she was the most incredible thing in existence. For the first time in her life, words failed her.

He reached for her slowly and she was surprised to see his hands were shaking. His fingertips danced over the surface of her skin, tracing the scrollwork tattoo that few people had ever seen.

“Is she?” Nikolai asked, his tone almost reverent.

“She is. We found her, Griz.” Colin’s gaze met hers and he spoke the words that Alayna had hoped she’d never hear. “We chose you, Alayna.”

“No!” This wasn’t happening. The universe wasn’t so fucking cruel that it would take away her freedom over a night’s pleasure and a few stolen hours of sleep.

“Yes.” Both men spoke at once.

“You know the law, Alayna. You’re not allowed to deny a claim,” Colin added.

“Like hell I’m not. I don’t want this. I don’t want you! Either of you. If you don’t let me go I swear I’ll make your life a living hell, and the first time you turn your back I’m going to be gone. I’m not going to give up my life to be your sex slave! I have people who depend on me. You can’t do this!”

“We can. We will. And if you run from us, we’ll come find you and bring you home again. Hold her still, Griz.” Colin reached for something beyond her range of vision and Alayna knew she was running out of time. Fear and fury fueled her actions and she fought Nikolai’s hold with everything she had.

“I’m trying. Our minx is stronger than she looks.” Nikolai grunted in pain as she managed to dig an elbow into his ribs.

Colin held up a small device, letting her see it clearly. She’d never seen one before, but there was no mistaking what it was. They were going to mark her right here and now, and once it was done there would be no escape. She would wear their initials on the left side of her face for the rest of her life, branded as property just like they once marked livestock. It would mean the end of everything.

Alayna found herself begging. “Please, don’t do this. You don’t want me. I hate the Alliance. I was raised in the badlands. I have lousy manners, I swear. Fuck, I ran away less than a week after they tested me. I haven’t even had the full array of enhancements. You two can do better.”

“Alayna, stop it,” Nikolai growled in her ear. “Please stop. We do want you. I know you’re not going to believe that yet, but you will, in time. We’ll prove it to you. You’re perfect for us.”
Hayes, Susan. 3013: RENEGADE (3013 – The Series Book 2). Kindle Locations (604-672). Black Scroll Publications Ltd. Kindle Edition.

To say Nicholai and Colin have their work cut out for them to gain Alayna’s trust is an understatement.

Alayna has been taught a lot of misconceptions about claiming and they were going to give her the time she needs to discover it’s not what she thinks it is. She also values her freedom and expects she will be totally under the control of these men.

It’s going to take time to gain her trust, but they work hard at showing her that they would take care of her and respect her independent streak.

I love the way this plays out, the love that is poured into the relationship and the way they complement each other’s personalities. There’s plenty of sizzle, some action, some drama and a few surprises as well.

I have fallen in love with this multi-author series and will be reading more of it.

5 Contented Purrs for Susan!

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Susan Hayes

Susan lives on Vancouver Island, off the Canadian west coast where the waters are patrolled by orcas, and the sighting of snowflakes leads to citywide panic. She’s jumped out of perfectly good airplanes on purpose and accidentally swum with sharks on the Great Barrier Reef.

If the world ends, she plans to survive as the spunky, comedic sidekick to the heroes of the new world, because she’s too short and out of shape to make it on her own for long.

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Sincerely, The Duke – Say I Do Book 2 by Amelia Grey

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Sincerely, The Duke
Say I Do Book 2
By
Amelia Grey

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Miss Edwina Fine has one shot at finding a husband before the ton learns her secret. With red hair, green eyes and being one of triplets, she knows the superstitions and rumors about women like her. So when a marriage proposal from the Duke of Stonerick arrives by mail, Edwina jumps at the chance to solve her problems. But nothing could prepare her for the attraction that sparks between them when they finally meet. It will take more than Edwina’s wit to navigate her past, reservations about marriage and the passion that ignites within her for the irresistible duke.

Rick, Duke of Stonerick, enjoys his life exactly as it is: honing his expert marksmanship, playing cards and fencing with his friends. He even enjoys exchanging affectionate humor with his mother about his lack of matrimonial engagement. But when a recurring illness reminds Rick he has no heir, he picks a name from the list of prospects his mother presents and writes a simple marriage proposal. Then he forgets about it—until that very lady with an iron will and breathtaking bravery shows up at his doorstep, ready to accept. Edwina tempts him like no other and suddenly, marriage doesn’t seem much of an inconvenience after all. But will keeping his illness a secret cost him her love?

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As this book opens, we see Roderick ‘Rick’ Cosworth, the Duke of Stonerick as he visits with his mother Alberta Fellows Cosworth, Dowager Duchess of Stonerick. She’s informed him his cousin has produced an heir and she’s pretty much demanding he find a wife this season. As he gets his mother and himself a brandy he sees the list of the year’s debutantes. In an effort to appease his mother and because the recurring fever has him deciding to marry, he picks a random name from the list and writes a quick proposal. He then tells his mother to let him know when she accepts and takes his leave.

After fighting the fever with the tonics prescribed by the doctor and apothecary, he’s finally resuming his daily activities. Then he’s interrupted by his butler. His visitor that he tries to send away is determined to see him and only him. Listening from his doorway Rick is intrigued as the young woman doesn’t back down from the threat of being physically thrown out. He decides to hear her out and is attracted to her strength and beauty. However, he is shocked by the mention of his proposal.

Edwina Fine and her aunt traveled to London to confront the Duke rather than answer via the post. Edwina needed to be sure of the intentions behind the proposal before accepting it.

Rick remembers writing the missive through the fog of the onset of the fever. Though he never expected his mother to send it. It’s a matter of honor now and he would do the right thing.

This is a favorite scene.

He was certain she assumed he was a man of his word. Instinct told him inside she wasn’t as brave as she appeared or pretended to be. Behind her undoubtable strength, something troubled her. Whether it was not knowing what his reaction was to why she was there or something deeper, he wasn’t sure. But he sensed she held a secret. Her heartfelt response, her sudden fragile expression and vulnerability tightened his gut.

Compassion for her rippled through him once again. He unfolded the sheet of parchment again and looked down to study it. Those few words could alter his life.

Surely, she saw in his face that he knew it was his signature at the bottom of the letter and his mother’s seal on the back of it the moment he saw them. Yet, she gave him opportunity to admit or deny it. All he had to do was lie and say it wasn’t. Or perhaps he could get by with simply hedging on the truth and say it wasn’t a prank, but it wasn’t exactly an official proposal of marriage either and send her on her way.

Then again, cynical, mistrusting scoundrel that he was, and had been most of his life, he was, above all, a man of honor. She was innocent in the back-and-forth that had happened between him and his mother that night. Her story was legitimate in every way as far as he could tell. In his hand he held her proof of the claim. That’s what should make the difference in how he answered her.

A chill worked through him as he studied the paper. Miss Fine had a legitimate marriage proposal from him. He was tempted to take the easy way out of this misfortune and end the discussion here, now, and forever. What was he going to do? Marriage was for better or worse. For life. Could he do the right thing and agree to marry her? Or should he send her on her way?

She would never know the truth.

But he would.

Unable to stop himself, Rick allowed his attention to linger on the delicate line of her nose and delicious fullness of her lips before trailing down to the hollow of her throat, barely visible above the neckline of her clothing. The thought of kissing her caused a whorl of desire to coil tight and spread through him. His attraction to her was real, though he wasn’t certain she’d returned it. Thus far.

She remained still, quiet, and continued to watch him as he glanced from her to the letter and back again. Actually, she was being very patient with him.

There was much to appreciate other than her intense comportment and lovely features. Starting with her nerves of iron. She was exceptionally brave, strong-minded, and had a sense of self-reliance about her that impressed him. And the Duke of Stonerick was not easily impressed by anyone. He’d want his son to have those qualities.

She wasn’t very practical, which was evidenced by her showing up at his door, no matter the reason or how good it might be. That could be overlooked in a lady. Many things could be understood or entirely excused when it came to a lady. Including her overzealous attitude that she had the right to confront him.

He was perplexed because she wasn’t flirtatious in the least considering she was looking at the prospects of marrying him. She hadn’t batted her eyelashes at him once. Nor had she given him a shy smile that so many young ladies liked to present. Someone should have schooled her on the proper way to woo a man. Maybe that was one of the reasons he felt so drawn to her. She wasn’t using anything but the weapon he gave her.

However, he couldn’t get away from wanting to know more about her. What pushed her to seek out a duke who wrote a proposal on unofficial stationery and had the confidence to hand it back to him. Trust him with it. He could have easily kept it or tossed it into a fire and there would be no proof it ever existed.

She looked sturdy without being robust, healthy, and her lineage had to be solid or she wouldn’t have been on his mother’s list of making their entrance into Society. For that reason too, she would have been schooled in all manners of the elite ton, whether she chose to always abide by them, and well-trained to manage an array of extensive households. She’d just tackled the haughtiest butler in London.

The high fevers, sweats, and agonizing weakness he’d experienced the past few days swept through his mind again. It had taken a long time to recover from the ailment both times he’d had it. He was reminded there was the possibility a time would come when the willow bark and other tonics and teas no longer brought the episodes under control.

He didn’t know if or when the fever might return. Or, when he married, how long it would take for his wife to get in the family way. It had taken Shubert’s wife mere weeks, but Wyatt and Fredericka had been married almost a year and still had no babe on the way.

No matter which way it would go for him, Rick needed an heir. And by gambler’s luck— or the more likely scenario, his mother’s interfering mischief— he had an acceptable, desirable, and intriguing lady standing in front of him expecting to be his bride. He could handle her bold way, yet there was something delicate about her inner being as well. He felt it and wanted to explore it.

That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to have a few words, strong words, with his mother for taking this matter into her own hands and not even alerting him to what she had done.

Exhaling deeply, Rick folded the note, tapped it into the palm of his hand a couple of times, and then without further hesitation, extended it to Miss Fine. “It’s not a fake. I wrote and signed the letter.”

Immediate relief was evident. Her whole body seemed to relax and settle into itself for the first time since he’d seen her. It was obvious from her gaze held firmly on his that she still had questions. She didn’t reach for the proposal yet her breaths were short, deep, and choppy.

“Without persuasion or force?”

“What?” She was more formidable than he imagined. This was ridiculous. Why was she questioning his admittance? Didn’t she know when she had won? One of his hands sailed through his hair before it landed with a thud on his hip. “You doubt my word or you think someone could have forced me to propose to you?”

“It took you a long time to answer. I don’t want to impose myself on you if it was not your intention without unnecessary influence on you.”

“Take the letter. I wrote it to you of my own free will.”

She did so and carefully stowed the proposal back into her reticule and closed it. Her breathing slowed and her gaze held firmly to his as she returned to the fearless, competent lady he first saw. And why wouldn’t she? He’d just acknowledged he’d asked her to be his duchess without manipulation from anyone. He had no doubt she was assuming he was a man of his word.

“I need an heir, Miss Fine. The sooner the better. I stand by the proposal and will now do what I should have done before and ask you in person. Will you marry me?”

She swallowed hard and kept her gaze straight on his. “I accept,” she said without hesitation.

Rick blinked as surprise flashed through him. Just that quickly he was betrothed. To a near stranger. He’d never really appreciated how complicated the idea of selecting a bride and marriage would be. Now that it was done, he realized he’d been caught in a parson’s mousetrap of his own making. Or perhaps it was his mother’s. He supposed fault lay with both. He wrote the letter and his mother mailed it. Yet, Miss Fine wasn’t agreeing as happily as he would have expected with a belle who’d landed herself a duke for a husband without doing much more than lifting one of her delicate fingers to do so.

“With some stipulations,” she added with quiet resolution.
Amelia Grey. Sincerely The Duke (Kindle Locations 334-389). Kindle Edition.

Before disclosing the stipulations, Edwina brings up her coloring. The red hair and green eyes that are the basis for some superstitions has her questioning him on them. She is also not disclosing that she and her sisters are triplets. That was the reason her father withdrew from the public eye, and they haven’t come out into society. She needs the Duke to not only take care of her sisters but also find them husbands.

Rick isn’t concerned about the superstitions or the stipulations that would be a bit challenging for Rick, since he makes some assumptions about the age of her sisters.

I truly love the way this story plays out. From getting her sisters to London, to their wedding, his mother’s superstitions and the way the truth of them being triplets is revealed, will have you turning the pages to see what will drop next. All of that with the vivid backdrop of a London Season during the Regency.

I can’t wait for the next book in this series!

5 Contented Purrs for Amelia!

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 Amelia Grey

Amelia Grey (aka Gloria Dale Skinner) grew up in a small town in the Florida Panhandle. She has been happily married to her high school sweetheart for over twenty-five years. She has lived in Alabama, Connecticut, New Hampshire and now lives in Florida.

Amelia has won the coveted Romantic Times award for Love and Laughter, the prestigious Maggie award for best historical and Affaire de Coeur’s best American historical award. She has been a finalist for the Golden Heart and the Holt Medallion awards which are given by Romance Writers of America and numerous other awards. Her books have been sold to many countries in Europe, Russia and China.

Amelia likes flowers, candlelight, sweet smiles, gentle laughter and sunshine.

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Undercover Emissary – Protectors Undercover Team One Book 2 by Heather Slade

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Undercover Emissary
Protectors Undercover Team One Book 2
By
USA Today Bestselling Author
Heather Slade

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One secret emissary.
One internal affairs investigator.
When their jobs threaten to tear them apart,
can they find their way back together?

COPE

Intelligent, fiery, and sexy as hell, she’s everything I’ve ever wanted, but she’s a hiding something and my gut is telling me she’ll ruin my mission if I don’t find out what it is. As a senator’s son and an emissary for the CIA, I must tread carefully and keep my distance. But her body and brains make it very difficult. I want her in ways that I can’t even explain. When her life is jeopardized, it becomes my business, my job, to protect her, in any way I can.

ALI

Strong, determined, and smart as hell, he’s everything I’ve ever wanted, but I have to keep my cool, I can’t want him like I do. If he’s the traitor I think he is, it’s my job to take him down. I have to keep my head and not get distracted, even if he makes it extremely difficult. When I need his help, his protection, I can’t deny the truth. All I want is to be protected by him.

NOTE:
Undercover Emissary was previously released Handled in K. Bromberg’s Everyday Heroes World.

Ali has just moved to D.C. when she meets Cope. She didn’t expect to meet him until the trial starts. However, meeting him in the café across the street from her building and him being a jerk just pisses her off. Their meeting at the Courthouse doesn’t go much better than the first, but she doesn’t get thrown out of the building. She also meets AP reporter TJ Hunter. When Cope greets TJ, he calls her Stella and for some reason calls her Tally.

For Cope and Irish there’s a lot riding on this trial. Being as it involves espionage and the CIA, there would be no one allowed in the courtroom especially not the press. After a frustrating morning with Cope wondering if he was going to end up in jail with Irish, he notices Ali having trouble with her car and offers to help.

He almost forgets about her when he sees an AP headline and starts to seethe. He has to go to his office first, but he would help Ali out. At least until he forgets about her.

Ali waited two hours and finally decided to leave and do it herself. After spending way too much money, she gets her car towed and herself home. Only to be greeted by Lindsay from the café and then Cope.

This is a favorite scene.

The driver pulled up to my building, and I crawled out of the back seat, dead tired and laden with my messenger bag, my gym bag, and some other stuff from my car that I’d thrown into a paper bag. I was about to walk into my building when I heard someone shouting.

“Miss, miss, wait!” I turned around and saw Lindsey from the café running toward me, carrying yet another bag.

“Can I help you?” I asked.

“This is from… damn, I’m out of shape.” She tried to catch her breath. “Anyway, this is from Cope. You just missed him.” She took another deep breath. “He was waiting to give it to you himself, but then he got a call.”

“Look, Lindsey, right?”

She nodded, still trying to catch her breath.

“This is really sweet, but I’ve had a really long, really hard day, and I don’t have much of an appetite.”

“He told me. At least his part in it. I’ll tell you, he really feels awful about it. Just take this. It’s dinner, plus stuff for breakfast and lunch tomorrow. By the looks of you, it’ll probably last you all week.”

“By the looks of me?” I asked, not bothering to hide my scowl.

“You’re tiny. You probably don’t eat more than a bite or two at every meal, am I right?”

I was dead tired, my feet were killing me, I was starving even though I’d lied and said I wasn’t, and I was irritable. Nothing I was going through was the fault of the woman who’d run across the street to give me food.

I smiled and shook my head. “You’d be surprised how much I can pack away. My grandma always said I had the appetite of an offensive lineman. Thank you for this. I really do appreciate it.”

“There’s silverware in there and napkins, plus instructions for heating it all up. Oh, and there’s dessert too. I’m sorry you had such a shitty day.” She tried to hand me the bag, but with everything I was carrying, I had no way to take it.

“You want me to bring this upstairs for you?”

“No, thanks. I’ll get it.”

I looked up when I saw the man who’d left me sitting in the lobby of a building for two hours, about to cross the street. “I gotta go. Thanks again.” I stuck out one finger, and she hung the bag on it.

“You sure you don’t want help?”

“Nope, I got it. Thanks,” I said, hoping my finger wouldn’t bend back any farther before I got upstairs.

I rushed in the revolving door and over to the elevator, willing one of them to open when I hit the call button with my elbow.

“Ali,” I heard Cope call out, but pretended I didn’t. Not that it mattered, because the damn elevators seemed to all be stuck on the tenth floor. Where the hell was the doorman, anyway?

“Ali, I’m glad I caught you.” I wasn’t. I heard a ding and the sound of doors opening.

“I’m sorry about earlier. Things really hit the fan, and it took a lot longer—”

“Tell the truth,” I said, stepping into my escape route. “You forgot all about me.” I set the bag of food down on the floor and rummaged around for my key card, only remembering I needed it when the elevator didn’t move. In that time, he’d stepped inside.

“You’re right. I did forget.”

I found the card and looked up at him. “Okay. Well, thanks for the food.”

“Can I ride up with you? Help you with that?”

“No, I got it.”

Someone else rushed into the elevator and stuck his card in the slot. “What floor?” he said, looking first at me and then at Cope.

“Thirtieth.”

The man hit the button for twenty-four and then the one for thirty. I didn’t speak again until he got out.

“How did you know my floor?” I said as soon as the doors closed. They opened again, and he still hadn’t answered me.

“Well?” “I’ll explain when we’re inside.”

“Inside? You’re not coming inside.” I did my damnedest to pick up the bag of food while juggling the rest of my crap.

“Quit being so stubborn and let me help you.”

Cope grabbed the food and then took my messenger bag off my shoulder. He motioned toward my door, because he knew which one it was. That alone was enough to give me a panic attack.

I stuck the key card into the slot in the door, and when it clicked, Cope grasped the knob and held it open for me. I stepped over the threshold, dropped the bags I was still carrying, and held out my hands for the two he had.

“Thanks for your help.”

He shook his head, turned his body sideways, and walked past me and into the kitchen.

“Hey! I didn’t invite you in.” The heavy door slammed behind me as I stalked after him.

He set the bags on the kitchen counter, and instead of walking back out, he sauntered toward the windows.

“Come here,” he said, motioning to me.

“What?”

“Come here,” he repeated, waving his arm. I walked as far as I comfortably could.

“Here,” he said again, pointing.

“Just tell me.”

“I’m not going to tell you; I’m going to show you how I know.”
Heather Slade. Undercover Emissary – Heather Slade (Kindle Locations 355-399). Kindle Edition.

Taking care of Ali’s car has Cope driving hers to the courthouse while she drives his. An accident puts an interesting twist on everything, especially when Ali’s apartment is broken into.

We meet Chloe, Ali’s best friend who comes to help her out while she recovers, but then ends up leaving for a business emergency leaving her in the hands of Cope and his mother.

In spite of everything, these two have a chemistry that just jumps off the pages. Both have secrets having to do with the trial, but Ali’s is the one that could ruin any relationship that begins. Decker, Buck and several other of the ‘Invincibles’ provide protection for Ali as tensions increase.

From the very first page this story grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. With intense intrigue and a sizzling relationship fraught with secrets, guaranteed to leave you with a book hangover.

I can’t wait for the next book in this series!

5 Contented Purrs for Heather!

Click the Cover for Buy Links and More!

Heather Slade

My books are filled with things that bring me joy: music, wine, skiing, families, artists, and cowboys. Not always in that order.

I’m an Amazon best-selling author, and a PAN member of Romance Writers of America. I speak, teach, blog, am an executive sommelier, and all-around entrepreneur.

I grew up an east coast girl, and then spent half my life on the west coast. Now my husband, our two boys, and I happily call Colorado home.


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3013: Mated – 3013 The Series Book 1 by Laurie Roma

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The Year Is 3013.

Earth barely survived the Alien Wars that have ravaged the planet, and an unknown virus had nearly wiped out the entire population. On the brink of extinction, humans struggle to rebuild their civilization, although nothing would ever bring back what once was.

Enforcing martial law, a new age of mankind is born,
where warriors rule and women are the ultimate prize.
Only the elite earn breeding rights and are granted leave
to claim a woman in pairs. Men dream of the day
that they will be able to claim a woman to love,
but for those chosen being bond with two strangers.
The warriors may have the choice, but the battle
for their woman’s heart has only begun…

3013: Mated
3013 The Series Book 1
By
Laurie Roma

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Alexis Donovan is a woman whose dream of falling in love with the perfect men has been dashed because of her infertile status. Still recovering from a war that almost destroyed the world, humans have fought to rebuild and have once again opened their shields to outside visitors. As a liaison officer for alien races that are visiting Earth, Alexis does her best to ignore what she can never have, but when she is put in charge of four visiting alien warriors, her entire world changes…

Dragons Warriors from Arcadia, Xavier and Galan Tesera and their best friends Thorn and Brydan Volis, have been curious about Earth ever since they helped the humans defeat their enemy years ago. As commanders of their own space vessel they travel the galaxies searching out the unknown, but in their hearts they know they will never truly be satisfied without a mate by their side.

When the four Dragon Warriors land on Earth they are instantly enamored with the sharp-tongued liaison who ignites a burning passion in their hearts, and know that she is the mate they have been searching for who will complete their souls. Will Alexis take a chance on four alien warriors or will the fear of leaving everything she has ever known destroy her chance of finding true love?

This book opens first with a disbelieving tone in Liaison Alexis Donovan’s statement, then a bit of history about technology, war, allies and testing, both fertility and military, before the conversation continues. Her boss Director Farris is assigning her to four visiting Arcadian VIP males. Something unheard of since a liaison stays with the visitors in the guest suite and protecting the liaison is important as well. He does offer an alternative though and one that turns her stomach. Good thing she’s recording this. She downloads the information on the Dragon Warriors and leaves.

Once she’s outside we get more insight into Alexis from her appearance to a disappointing and later annoying dating experience. Pushing those thoughts aside she calls Commander Jax Spartan, he runs the Capitol with a fair but iron fist and is her friend. When she tells him she needs to speak with him, he tells her where to meet him, now.

Jax is giving a dressing down to a couple of officers when she arrives and interrupts him. He sends them on their way and gives his attention to what Alexis needs from him.

This is a favorite scene.

Alexis sobered as she noticed the glances being cast their way.

Although both Jax and Archer thought of Alexis as their sister, she had never flaunted her connection to them in front of other soldiers, or at least she tried not to. She cleared her throat. “Jax…Commander, there is something I have to report to you.”

His eyes narrowed on her, and she fought not to squirm. “Spit it out, Lex.”

She held up her wrist unit, fighting back the embarrassment that stained her cheeks pink as she re-played the conversation she’d had with Director Farris back for Jax. She watched with increasing trepidation as Jax’s jaw clenched and rage flared to life in his eyes.

“I’m going to fucking kill him,” he said softly.

Uh oh.

“Umm, I don’t think that—”

Jax leveled a glare at one of his minions that snapped to attention. “Barker! Get Director Reginald Farris in my office. Now!”

“Yes, sir. What should I tell him this is regarding?”

“You don’t tell him shit. Just get his ass in a chair and make sure he doesn’t move till I get there,” Jax ordered harshly.

“Sir!”

Jax turned back to stare at Alexis as the other man ran off like the hounds of hell were at his heels. “How many other women are in your department?”

She sighed. “There are six total, well five now. Two are in bonded units who work exclusively with their men. Then there is Chloe, Morgan, and me. And as you know, Skylar just got transferred out. The rest are all men.”

Jax grunted. He had been the one to make Skylar’s transfer happen. Where Alexis was considered a Class-A Empath, her friend Skylar Aris was a Class-A Conduit. An empath could feel the emotions of others and had to work to keep from being swamped with those feelings so they couldn’t be used in interrogation and other dangerous divisions.

Not like a conduit could.

Conduits were very rare individuals who could basically read other people’s energy, and if they were strong enough, could use that energy for their own purposes. After years of requests that had been refused by her commanding officers, Alexis had quietly brought Skylar’s latest request directly to Jax. Upon seeing her credentials and ratings, he had personally granted her transfer to the interrogation unit.

“I’m not worried about Morgan. She would skin any man who came at her wrong, but you and Chloe are too nice for your own good.”

Alexis’ jaw dropped at that. Her friends Chloe and Morgan were also infertile females, but all three of them were equally capable of taking care of themselves. Well, Morgan did have a pretty nasty temper if pushed too far.

Jax frowned at her. “You know what I mean. I’ll have Director Farris replaced by tomorrow. I don’t know what the hell he was thinking assigning this to you, considering it’s against regulations for a single female liaison to be matched up with four male visitors.”

“It’s not against regulations, it’s just highly unlikely that one of the directors would be stupid enough to arrange it. I think Farris was hoping I turned down the assignment and took him up on his other offer,” Alexis said wryly.

“I’ll take care of that son of a bitch,” Jax swore then turned as another one of his aides that were forever following him called out his name. Officer Ryans panted for breath as he came to stop in front of them, his boots practically skidding on the concrete.

“Commander, sir! The Dragon Warrior visitors have arrived early and are waiting for permission to enter the shield.”

Jax heaved out a sigh. “Shit, they’re early. Ryans, open the shield and give them the coordinates over the Capital where they can enter our airspace. Have them land here in Dock C.”

“Right away, Commander Spartan.”

Officer Ryans relayed the information into his comms as he typed frantically on the tablet he held in his hand.

“Well, it looks like I’ll be acting as liaison after all,” Alexis said nervously. She’d thought she would have a few days to sort out the assignment, but it didn’t seem like that was an option anymore. Even though she was a little worried, a part of her was excited to spend some time with visitors from Arcadia. She’d studied the Dragon Warriors but had never actually met one in person.

Suck it up, she told herself. Shaking off her nerves, she straightened to her full height. She was a top-level officer for god’s sake.

She could…would handle this assignment.

Jax crossed his arms over his chest as his eyes narrowed. “I still don’t like this, Lex. I never thought Farris would be stupid enough to assign one of our female officers for this visit. You don’t have to take this assignment if you’re uncomfortable with it. I can order a replacement. Taking care of four males would be difficult for anyone.”

“I believe she will be more than capable.”

The deep voice that sounded out right behind her had Alexis spinning around, one hand on the hilt of the blaster at her hip. No one could have snuck up on both her and Jax without making a sound, not with their training.

But someone had.

Oh, my stars…
Roma, Laurie. 3013: MATED (3013: The Series Book 1). Kindle Locations (326-378). Kindle Edition.

Their apparent leader, Xavier introduces himself and his brother Galan of House Tesera, and Thorn and Bryden of House Volis.From here things get extremely interesting as the Dragon Warriors recognize that Alexis is their mate. Alexis has no idea and while she has some knowledge of the Dragon Warriors not much information is available on them, other than they travel around the universe instead of living on their home planet. She also seems to have lost a bit of self-control.

I love the way this plays out, this book just sizzles and there are some very interesting twists as well.

This is a multi-author series and I love that two of these authors are new to me. Laurie is one of those and I will be reading more of her books as well as the rest of this ongoing one.

5 Contented Purrs for Laurie!

Click the Cover for Buy Links and More!


Laurie Roma mainly writes contemporary, romantic suspense, fantasy, and sci-fi romance. She can usually be found tapping away on her keyboard, creating worlds for her characters while she listens to music. Of course, her playlist depends on her mood…but then again, so does her writing.

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Until Posey by TL Reeve and Michele Ryan

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Until Posey
Aurora Rose Reynolds’
Happily Ever Alpha World
By
TL Reeve
&
Michele Ryan

1cf2a-addtogoodreads

The BOOM.

The heart-pounding, inexplicable sensation of falling in love. An emotional pull that can complete a man in one second and destroy him in the next.

Hunter Banks, eldest brother, consummate bachelor, and family protector. When he receives a call from Cobi Mayson, needing his help, Hunter agrees. He’ll do whatever it takes to keep his family safe. Including going undercover and back to where everything started for Ireland—Lux Automotive.

However, helping a friend comes at a price, and now, the balance is due.

Posey Roberts doesn’t like liars. Even lies of omission. If a person couldn’t tell the truth, they’re either hiding something or guilty of doing something else. She’d learned that lesson several times over while in the foster care system until her adoptive mom stepped in. Now, as a social worker, Posey helps children in need, including Destiny Banks, a six-month-old baby girl.

When she arrives at Hunter’s home, Posey’s ready to tear Hunter apart. Until she meets the Viking-God in person and everything else disappears. Unfortunately for her, Hunter is off limits. She has a job to do, protect Destiny at all costs.

The web of lies Hunter has woven to safeguard his family are coming apart at the seams. Telling Posey the truth could put her and Destiny in danger. Continuing to lie to her will tear them apart. Meeting his Boom was supposed to be an adventure, but when the truth comes out, Hunter will have no one else to blame but himself.

The Boom is supposed to be forever.

What if this time it’s not?

In the prologue of this book, we learn the sequence of events that is key. Hunter is approached by his friend Cobi to assist in a joint investigation and sting operation. The main player Pedro brought with him his girlfriend Hope and during the op Hunter did his best to persuade Hope to leave Pedro to no avail. The sting was successful, capturing many but Pedro escaped taking Hope with him.

As this book opens, Hunter is babysitting his nephew Mack Jr. and listening to the news. Hunter had a running conversation with Mack as they ate breakfast, and we also get more back story here. The knock on the door and the woman standing there would change everything, she is his Boom.

Posey Roberts from Department of Children’s Resources–Davidson County, asks if Hunter Banks lives there. As Hunter observes the baby carrier in her hand, and confirms he is Hunter Banks. Posey requests entry as Hunter asks who the baby is.

Posey makes many assumptions about Hunter and references the accident that is on the news. She’s obviously made judgements about his character, and it shows. Hunter’s thoughts go a mile a minute as he processes what Posey is saying about the accident and how Destiny was found. Since Cobi is in charge of the accident investigation, and he’s sure Hope had her reasons for putting him on Destiny’s birth certificate, he takes responsibility for her. He won’t let her go into the system and would do his own search for any relatives she may have. His family would have questions he wouldn’t be able to give a truthful answer to and that would be the hardest part of this.

Once Posey leaves, she evaluates the way she acted to Hunter. She really was unfair to him and much of that came from her own experiences within the system. She feels she now owes him an apology.

Already we know these two are attracted to each other. However, the circumstance of their meeting is not conducive to a relationship.

Things almost immediately become more problematic for Hunter when his sister Ireland arrives to take Mack Jr. home. She sees Destiny and starts questioning Hunter relentlessly. She really can be quite persistent.

For Hunter and Posey, that complication doesn’t become apparent until her second visit. At the end of which Hunter has a family emergency and asks Posey to stay with Destiny.

This is a favorite scene.

me. “Mr. Banks. I trust since the last time we talked, you’ve made proper living arrangements for Destiny.”

Goddamn, she had a whippish tongue. She could flay me open without even trying. “I have. If you’ll come this way, I’ll show you to her room.”

Her gaze burned a hole through my back as we climbed the stairs to the second floor. Goosebumps formed on my skin as my balls drew up in anticipation. I’d experienced eye fuckings before, but this… She was so fucking sweet. Innocent if I had to venture a guess. “I’d like to schedule another drug test, just to be sure there isn’t anything we missed the day I picked Destiny up from the hospital. Things were chaotic, and I’m very protective of kids.”

I pushed open the door to Destiny’s new nursery. I’d spent some money, but in the end, it was worth it. This was her room, and she needed something comforting after everything she’d been through. There were toy shelves and a glider. Books and a soft rug. Her crib was one of those convertible ones that made a twin to double bed conversion. On the walls were photos of my family and a couple of cartoon stickers. “As you can see, I’ve done tons of work since you were last here. I also agree with you about the blood test. I’ve worried about the same too.” Then I hurried to add, “not that I’ve seen anything out of the ordinary, but I can’t stop thinking about the way you found her.”

“Hope’s autopsy said a lot of nothing.” The disappointment in Posey’s tone shocked me. “Not that I was hoping to find anything significant. Other than she was a few weeks pregnant at the time of the accident.”

My gut twisted. Damn it, Hope. What the fuck were you thinking? “You were assuming because of the scene?” I shook my head. “Hope wasn’t like that. At least when I knew her. She didn’t drink. Didn’t even smoke. She was super sweet and wanted to be cared for.”

“I suppose we all failed her then, didn’t we, Mr. Banks?”

Ouch. My feelings.

Nevertheless, Posey said exactly what I was feeling. Guilty because I couldn’t save her, though I tried. I’d been a de facto therapist for Hope. I’d even pleaded with her to leave with me, but she chose the life over stability. “You can say that again.” The second I felt Destiny go limp in my arms, I put her down into her crib and stepped back. “For what it’s worth, had we all met under different circumstances, I don’t think Destiny would have been on your radar.”

“Maybe.” Posey murmured. “I know I came at a bad time. So, if you don’t mind, I thought I could stop at the auto shop and talk to your siblings there.”

“That’s fine.” I shrugged, trying to control my raging libido. “What else do you need to see?”

“I thought we could talk about your plan. Goals you want to accomplish with Destiny.” She followed me out of the room, then back down the steps to the living room.

“I haven’t given those much thought.” I turned on the monitor next to the couch and sighed as I sat back. “I’m still trying to get my feet under me. I found a babysitter, though. She’s a good kid. Works for Mack Redman at Flame. Her name is Mindy, and Mack will vouch for her.”

Posey nodded as she made a series of notes. “How are Destiny’s sleeping patterns?”

Fuck if I knew. She slept when she was tired. Ate when she was hunger, and pissed, and shit on schedule too. As far as I could tell, the little girl was right on track. But something told me that wasn’t the question Posey was asking. She wanted to know if Destiny exhibited signs of having nightmares. Is it possible for babies to dream about bad shit if they didn’t understand what happened?

“They’re good. She naps two or three times during the day, but her pediatrician said because of the trauma and malnourishment that was to be expected, for now. She has put on almost two pounds in a short amount of time. I think she’s happy, too.” I frowned. “She also teething again, I think. It’s been a while since I’ve been around a baby full time.”

Posey laughed. The melodic sound went straight to my chest, mule kicking me with pleasure. I coveted hearing her joy. “She is almost seven months now. Cutting teeth is a never-ending cycle from now until she turns three.”

“Happy days,” I mumbled.

A knowing smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Are there any concerns you have about her health or anything you might have noticed since Destiny has been with you?”

I shook my head. Unlike last time, the superiority complex little Miss Social Worker displayed wasn’t there. It was almost like she flipped a switch and was willing to help me. I’d have to keep a vigil over her.

“Then I think we’re almost done until the next time we meet.” Posey stood then and started for the door before she spun, almost smacking into my chest.

Instinctively, I braced her, holding her shoulders so she didn’t face plant. Didn’t need her trying to sue for insurance money. The second my fingertips grazed her soft tanned skin, electricity skirted up my arm and settled over my heart. A soft gasp fell from her lips as she stared up at me, shocked like I was that I touched her and hadn’t let go.

“You, okay?”

She nodded. “Yes. I meant to apologize for our brisk first meeting. I may have made some assumptions and treated you unfairly. I can see now you meant every word you said. This is my mea culpa to you.”

“I appreciate you—” My phone rang, cutting off the rest of my sentence. Holding up a finger, I answered the call, seeing Mack’s name on the screen. Perhaps he had the information I needed. “Hey, Mack. Good to hear from you. Posey is here now and she—”

“Have you turned on the television yet today?” Mack’s question made little sense. I never watched TV during the day unless something tragic happened.

“No,” I said, furrowing my brows. “Why?”

“Turn on the news,” Mack said. “Now.”

Posey’s body language flipped the second my shoulders sagged. She followed me back into the living room, where I did as Mack asked and turned on the flat screen. “Holy fuck.” There in fifty-five inches, 5HD quality picture was a scene outside the hospital where Waverly worked, and a ticker tape ran across the screen with the newest update. “Oh, shit.”

“Waverly’s inside, Hunter. Everything is so fucked up. We’re taking Jackson over there. You should be there too. We’re family now.” Mack’s tone was hollow, filled with such deep emotion, my stomach became a giant knot of anxiety. “I’ll let Cobi and Franks know you’re on the way.”

“Yeah, sure man. Of course. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” I ended the call, dropping onto the couch as the reporter described what happened inside the hospital the night before. A father had taken the whole Labor and Delivery floor hostage after his wife tragically passed away in an accident. “Posey… Miss Roberts, can I ask you for a favor?”

“Anything,” she said, concern filling her tone. “Would I be right to assume someone important works in that hospital?”

I swallowed hard and nodded. “Yeah, Mack’s little sister. My sister-in-law. Fuck…” I ran my hand over my hair. “I have to get to my family, but I don’t think taking Destiny with me is a good idea. Can you stay here and watch her for me? I know this doesn’t look good right now, but I can’t—”

Posey held up her hand. “Yes, you don’t have to ask. I’ll stay and help with Destiny. Your family is important to you, Hunter. Will your sister need someone to watch over her son as well?”

Fuck. Mack Jr. “Yes, she will. I don’t want to burden you with our issues right now.”

She waved me off. “You go help your family. I can be here today for you.” She picked up my phone, then asked me to unlock it for her. When I did, she put her number into my device and added it to speed dial. “Keep me in the loop. We’ll be fine here.” Thank fuck. Because I didn’t think my family ever would be the same after this.
Reeve, TL; Ryan, Michele; Until Posey. Boom Factory Publishing, LLC. Kindle Edition. Kindle Locations (690-756).

Posey’s conscience gets the best of her after she tells a little white lie about why she’s not returning to the office. She takes care of Destiny’s needs, then orders pizzas, enough for Hunter and his brother when they get home. Once Destiny is settled, she falls asleep on the couch.

From here things between start evolving when he asks Posey to dinner. She says no, but she really wants to say yes.

I love the way this story unfolds. Between his family, the trial, and Posey there is never a dull moment. In spite of the conflicts there are also plenty of sizzling scenes in this book both fantasy and actual.

Since I read this book first, I now have to go back and read Ireland and Waverly’s stories.

5 Contented Purrs for TL and Michele!

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TL Reeve

TL Reeve, a bestselling, multi-published author, was born out of a love of family and a bond that became unbreakable. Living in Alabama, TL misses Los Angeles, and will one-day return to the beaches of Southern California to ride the waves at Huntington Beach. When not writing something hot and sexy, TL can be found curled up with a good book or spending quality time with her college-bound daughter.

Michele Ryan

Michele Ryan is a multi-published author. She embraced her creative passion and co-authored several books with fellow author TL Reeve. Michele has also published two solo novellas. Michele is a lifelong resident of the state of New Jersey, along with her husband and three children, whom she refers to as her hobbits. When Michele is not plotting or writing, she can be found either volunteering at her children’s school or reading.

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Cruz’s Watch – Brotherhood Protector’s World: Team Watchdog Book 3 by Stacey Wilk

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Cruz’s Watch
Brotherhood Protector’s World:
Team Watchdog Book 3
By
Stacey Wilk

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Former Lieutenant Colonel Cruz Lacerda, wants to move past his failed marriage. He should be focused on his new job with the Brotherhood Protectors or on the treks he takes to put miles between his broken heart and his soon-to-be ex-wife, but he’s not. When Ayla interrupts his plans for another hike, he can no more refuse her than he can stop himself from planning every detail of a combat weatherman’s mission. Before he knows it, he finds himself, standing before her faced with a choice he’d rather not make.

Professional photographer Ayla Lacerda chases tornados. She takes footage of the extreme storms, standing only feet from danger as she snaps and records. Deadly weather gave her a career but took away so much more. She can’t stop running toward the storms, even if she wanted to—and she just might this time. Before she makes that crucial decision to end the career she loves, she needs Cruz to help her catch nature’s uncertainty and will do whatever necessary to have him by her side.

In a race to intercept the menacing twisters, Ayla and Cruz will be forced to reexamine their relationship and decide what’s most important—holding onto the past, finding a path toward the future, or capturing the monster in the sky.

We meet Cruz as he’s about to embark on an extreme hiking trip with his friends and teammates Mason and Asher. He’s thoroughly researched this trip as he does everything. Nothing he does is done without lots of research and calculating the risks.

Mason and Asher aren’t thrilled with the idea but are going to keep Cruz company. Cruz uses the hikes to help him get over his soon to be ex-wife.

As they’re about to board the bus said almost ex calls, he isn’t going to answer but Mason grabs his phone, says hello then hands it to him. Ayla always calls him with her problems, and this time is no different. This time it’s a flooded basement. He isn’t going to go help, but he can’t in good conscience leave her to handle it alone.

Ayla has an agenda, she’s about to lose a lucrative contract if she can’t provide video and pictures of a tornado. She’s lost her assistant and Cruz is the only one she can turn to for help. The question is would he. The biggest problem is that she has major panic attacks when she gets near a storm, ANY storm, and she can’t tell him that or he’d never agree.

After much consideration, he finally agrees to go with her. With conflicting emotions this trip will be fraught with issues both personal and professional for Ayla and for Cruz, well he still loves his wife but is afraid of being hurt by her again.

Ayla puts her almost full panic attack off to illness as she misses filming a tornado. They decide to check the nearest town for damage and to possibly help and get pictures of the devastation a tornado can cause.

What they find causes an interesting reaction in Ayla as Cruz helps to deliver a baby in a wreaked day care center.

This is a favorite scene.

“We were thinking about naming him Alexander, after his daddy. Al didn’t want that. He said it would be too confusing for them both to have the same name.” Erin looked down at her baby again. Her eyes filled with love. “I’m thinking his name should be Cruz Alexander. Then he will have the first name of the man who delivered him and his middle name will start with an A for Ayla too.”

Her body flushed with heat again. Cruz put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against him. “How about that, babe? A baby named after us.” He beamed at her.

And she burst into tears.
Wilk, Stacey; Cruz’s Watch: Brotherhood Protectors World (Team Watchdog Book 3). Kindle Locations (920-979). Twisted Page Press, LLC. Kindle Edition.

After that very emotional episode, they travel to another small town to find a place to eat and sleep.

So much emotional turmoil with these two as they confront not only the weather but also their feelings. I swear I was sniffling through most of this book.

I love the way this plays out, with the dangers, emotions, interesting characters and some sizzle too.

5 Contented Purrs for Stacey!

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Stacey Wilk

From an early age, Stacey Wilk told tales as a way to escape. At six she wrote short stories in composition notebooks, at twelve she wrote a novel on a typewriter, in high school biology she wrote rock star romances in her binder instead of paying attention.

But it wasn’t until many years later, inspired by her children and a looming birthday, that she finally took her story-telling seriously. And published her first novel in 2013. Since then, she’s gone on to publish fourteen more so women everywhere could fall in love and find an escape of their own.

She isn’t done telling stories. Not by a long shot. If you want to read her emotional and honest books about family, romance, and second chances.

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The Ritual – Life of the Chosen Book 1 By Rebecca Royce

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The Ritual
Life of the Chosen Book 1
By
USA Today Bestselling Author
Rebecca Royce

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Imagine a world gone mad, post-apocalyptic and teetering on the edge of chaos. They call it “The Ritual.” Every four years, they test girls like me, looking for that special second sight, a power that can see the monsters and help fight them.

I’m Sloane, and I never asked for this gift. When I realize the truth about the Warriors they want to match me with, I run for it. Can’t blame me, right? But fate has a funny way of working things out, and my escape turns into an unexpected alliance with these mysterious Warriors.

As we grow closer, I can’t shake these haunting visions of a sinister demon who insists I’m its target. With everything always exploding around me I must confront my own inner demons while unraveling secrets that could shatter everything.

Amidst the chaos and danger, I find something I never expected—a connection that transcends fear and blossoms into something none of us see coming.

As this book opens, we meet Slone and Jayne as they are camped on the way to the trials. Families would be gathering with their daughters from the age of sixteen and over for the trials, as ordered by the Judge. The trial selects those with the gift of visions to then go through the Ritual which Chooses both the woman and the warrior group for her to marry.

Both Sloane and her sister Jayne would be going through the trial. Sloane knows she has the gift of visions, she’s had them since she was thirteen, but she’d never been summoned to the trials. We also find Sloane has a tendency to get lost in her thoughts to the point of not being aware of things around her.

As they approach Hawkseye, Sloane is astonished at the many buildings. Her father tells them they were from before and can’t be built that high anymore. The houses while grand, are all the same brown with red roofs. The only difference is in the elaborate plaques near the front doors. It was pouring rain and cold, yet they stopped suddenly as four Warriors approached. Sloane is shocked when they stop next to them, and the leader, Truett, greets her father by name. It seems their son, Pascal would be taking his place as a Warrior and perhaps he would be paired with one of Craig’s daughters.

Their mother led them until they reached the line for the sorting, and then she gave them their small bags. Everything would be provided from here and there is only enough in the bags to get back home if that is the outcome.

They meet Caroline while on the line, she’s a local and has seen this process many times. There are fifty signed up and they gather in a ballroom that has been decorated by Judge’s wife. Jayne and Sloane sit across from Caroline and three of her friends and then we meet Hannah, she smiles at Jayne and declares Sloane her best friend. All before things officially start.

After being shown to their rooms, stylists show up one for each of them and they are fitted with new gowns, hairstyles and makeup. All in preparation for mingling with the Warriors that evening.

Jayne and Sloane meet up with Hannah again in the courtyard that had been converted to a party location. Pascal joins them and introduces his group, Alex, Chris and Matthew and offer to escort them inside. Then Caroline joins them and captivates the group. There’s a crack of thunder and then rain pours down on them, but before they could run inside the manor Charles from Truett’s group stops them, pointing at the sky. Fredrick directs Pascal to gather the women under the trees for their protection and then turn to the battle at hand.

This is a favorite scene.

Several other groups of Warriors joined them on the hill.

“Okay,” the one called Chris said as he nodded. “Ladies, come with me. Head over to that hill. We’ll keep you safe while they do whatever they are going to do.”

Like sheep being herded by a dog, we moved as a group toward the hill while the flying beast— I liked the description— swept in and out of the party location. So far, they hadn’t hurt anyone, just messed with the furniture, so what was happening?

I whirled around. The Warriors huddled together to discuss their plan. We stayed under the trees and… Oh no.

I spotted one of the ritual ladies, frozen out in the open. Mouth hanging agape, she stared up at the flying beasts and didn’t otherwise move a muscle.

“Hey,” I called out to Pascal. “A woman over there needs help.”

He stared for a moment and then started running toward her. The beast noticed him moving. With a swoop, he spat fire at Pascal, who darted out of the way only to have the tree next to him go up in flames. Everyone gasped, and the rest of his group ran after him.

“Oh, I hope they’ll be okay.” Caroline took my hand.

I nodded, because I did, too, but I had to admit, it wasn’t a great showing on their part.

“See?” Jayne looked at me. “Very cocky. Nothing to show for it.”

“What are you doing?” This time, it was Truett who yelled at them. Still, no one had gone for the woman. Well, fine. If no one else would get her, then I would do it.

I let go of Caroline’s hand and stepped away from Jayne. “I’ll be right back.”

Luckily for me, the flying things seemed utterly occupied with trying to catch the group of dashing Warriors. That’s good. I stayed behind the trees, out of the way of anyone noticing my movement until I absolutely had to dart across the field to get to the frozen woman.

Then I ran full speed. I was fast, always had been. Maybe the nobility here didn’t have to run often, but we did. Tornadoes could happen at any time, and you didn’t want to get caught outside when they showed up to destroy things. Once, I outran a herd of goats that had not been happy to see me when I stumbled upon them one night. I knew how to run.

But my shoes were not helping.

I kicked them off as I ran. Barefoot and wearing a ballgown wasn’t conducive to running, but I grabbed onto the woman’s arms. “Come on. You can’t stay here. It’s not safe. Come.”

She seemed to blink into reality, staring at me for a second. “You’re Sloane.”

“That’s right. I’m Sloane. Come. Please. Now.” I pulled her along with me. She was older and slow, and I didn’t know how long we’d have until one of the flying beasts decided to shoot his flames at us. I hoped we could get back to safety in time.

An arrow shot above our heads, and I glanced back to see Oliver holding the bow. A rope was attached to the arrow, and it hit the beast. Although the arrow itself didn’t break the skin of the creature, the rope wrapped around the beast.

He’d clearly done this before.

Frederick grabbed onto Oliver’s back and together they pulled the beast to the ground. Cheers sounded as other Warriors took down the other beast.

The rain put out the fire on the tree, and in seconds, although I still held the woman in black against me, it was as though the whole thing had never happened.

People laughed and the men were shaking hands. Well, almost all of them. The young Warriors weren’t part of the group, and I seemed to have gotten a lot of attention from Oliver, Truett, Frederick, and Charles.

The last one walked over to me. “What the hell were you thinking?”

“Excuse me?” I steeled my spine.

“I asked you a question.”

I gritted my teeth because, although I hadn’t been struck dumb in my run across the field, I couldn’t think of a less than rude response.

I swallowed and tried to breathe my temper away, only it didn’t work. As I met his eyes, my temper boiled over, and I answered him. “You don’t really expect me to answer you when you speak to me like that, do you? If you want an answer, I’m sure you’ll decide instead to speak to me like one civilized person to another?”

“She was saving my life.” The old woman still in my arms whimpered. “I froze… I’ve never seen one before.”

Suddenly, I was surrounded. Jayne, Hannah, Caroline— they all started talking at once, but it was Caroline who yelled the loudest. “She wouldn’t have had to rescue her, if any of you had done it. Why were you all just standing there?”

Charles didn’t seem the least bit concerned with being berated by us. “She was never in danger. We knew where she was and what those things would have done if you had all stayed where we told you instead of making things considerably harder. They’re only nuisances.”

Jayne pointed at the tree. “It was on fire.”

“And now it’s not.” He shook his head. “Stay where you’re told next time. We can’t be expected to rescue you if you’re going to be stupid about it.”

With those words, he left us standing there in the rain. I regretted immediately standing up for them to Jayne. She was right. Maybe she hadn’t meant them specifically, but she was right just the same.

I squeezed the woman. “Let’s get you inside.”

“Thank you. We’ve all waited for you.”

I didn’t know what she meant, and I deliberately didn’t ask, because if she said what I thought she might, I didn’t want to know.

“Truett,” Judge’s wife called. “If all of you were trying to be funny by standing on that hill and doing nothing while the potentials were terrified, then you can take your high handedness and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine.”

He bowed slightly to her. “Miranda, your use of language never letting the manor burn to the ground and taking care of the pests that came into the sky tonight. The archers must be failing. How did they get so close to Hawkseye?”

She turned red. We shouldn’t have been watching them, but we were. How could we not? It was like a train wreck. “Thank goodness you were here to save us. If it had just been your son, we would all be dead.”

I felt that dig as if she’d directed it at me. Judge’s wife wasn’t kind in her anger. Truett took a step toward her. “Everyone suffers their first year. He had the sense to do something, and that is half the battle. You wouldn’t know, since you wouldn’t even let your own son try out for the role. Not one of them, and you have five of them. Surely one of them has a spine?”

She seemed so calm, I wondered if she’d become a statue. “Why would I want that for him, when living that life killed my sister? Oh wait, I’m sorry. That was the four of you who let her die. I pity any woman who has the bad luck to be paired with you. Any member of your family, actually. Good night and my thanks, of course.”

Oliver put his arm around Truett. Not like he was hugging him but more like he stopped him from surging forward. Whatever he said, I couldn’t hear.

“Young ladies,” the old woman spoke to us, “ we shouldn’t eavesdrop. It’s not polite.”

Well, it was over. I’d heard enough.
Rebecca Royce. Ritual – Rebecca Royce (Kindle Locations 458-517). Kindle Edition.

The short battle ended the evening, and while Jayne fell asleep, it was allusive for Sloane. She decides to have some warm milk to help her sleep. In the kitchen the green Warrior’s wife startles her when she asks to join her. While they drink their milk she tells Sloane of her mother at the trials and her father’s failure to become a warrior. She also says how much she’d like to see her mother again as she once saved her life. It seems Sloane’s mother was good at cleaning up messes. We also learn her name is Carissa and she hopes both Sloane and Jayne return home as she wouldn’t wish this life on anyone.

The next day they line up outside a cabin for the Ritual. As girls start entering the cabin Hannah says whether or not they’ll be chosen. Apparently, Hannah can tell by the girl’s eyes if she’ll be a yes or a no. At Caroline’s turn Hannah says she’s a yes and also tells Sloane she’s a yes too. Jayne is freaking out a bit and Sloane lets her go in before her. As Caroline comes out one of a group of Warriors runs to catch her before she passes out. Then Jayne enters the cabin, and she’s a yes, her Warrior group is Pascal’s and Alex cradles her as they walk away.

Sloane enters next, and the three Ritual Ladies were seated there. They explain if she’s gifted, she would be matched and become a Chosen woman, wife of Warriors. If she isn’t she’d remember nothing of what happened within these walls. She is Chosen and the Warriors waiting for her as she emerges are Truett, Charles, Oliver and Frederick. She is not happy since she knows they don’t want a wife.

Things get very interesting from her as it seems Sloane is like no other Chosen as we follow her antics once she awakens. Far earlier than she should have.

I love the way this story progresses, Sloane is a strong woman and will not be intimidated by her Warrior husbands. However, there is something else going on here. Something far more sinister that we learn of as we make our way to the OMG cliffhanger ending.

I really can’t wait for the next book in this series!

5 Contented Purrs for Rebecca!

Click the Cover for Buy Links and More!

Rebecca Royce Rebecca Royce

As a teenager, I would hide in my room to read my favorite romance novels when I was supposed to be doing my homework. I hope, these days, that my parents think it was worth it.

I am the mother of three adorable boys and I am fortunate to be married to my best friend. I live in Austin Texas where I am determined to eat all the barbecue in town.

I am in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and try to use all of these elements in my writing. I’ve been told I’m a little bloodthirsty so I hope that when you read my work you’ll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. I love to write series because I love to see characters develop over time and it always makes me happy to see my favorite characters make guest appearances in other books.

In my world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.

I’d love to hear from you!

Cheers!!


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Asher’s Watch – Brotherhood Protector’s World: Team Watchdog Book 2 by Leanne Tyler

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Asher’s Watch
Brotherhood Protector’s World:
Team Watchdog Book 2
By
Leanne Tyler

1cf2a-addtogoodreads

Civil Liberties Attorney Liberty Killion came to Colorado to visit Justus at the end of the spring semester only to find her and one of her roommates missing. Details about their hiking trip make Liberty uneasy and she fears foul play. Her search for Justus and her friend leads her to Fool’s Gold.

Former Air Force Combat Controller Counterterrorism Officer Asher Nolte meets Liberty after her car breaks down. When someone shoots at them, he rescues her and learns about her search for her sister. Asher’s job now involves helping Liberty find Justus and keep her safe.

Can Asher keep Liberty alive without losing his heart to this captivating woman as they search for her sister? Or will they both risk everything to be together?

In the prologue of this book, we meet Liberty. She’s just flown in from New York for a planned shopping trip with her sister Justus. Only she finds her sister and her best friend Chaney went on a camping trip over the weekend and didn’t return. They went with Justus’ new boyfriend Kurtis and one of his friends. The whole thing makes Liberty very suspicious. She gathers as much information from the roommates as she can, warns them to lock their door and leaves. She’s seen a lot as a civil liberties lawyer and doesn’t have a good feeling.

Liberty is traveling through Ute Pass to Fool’s Gold Colorado having already reached dead ends in both Garden of the Gods and Seven Falls, where the girls were supposedly headed. She’s already tried calling the girls and then filed a missing person report with the Colorado Springs police. Liberty is feeling really guilty for not spending more time with her sister, the twelve-year gap is a lot and having to raise her once their parents died, moved them into a different relationship. She is thinking of all of that when her car starts shaking and then backfires. She checks the gauges and she’s out of gas, she shouldn’t be she just filled the tank as she left Colorado Springs, half an hour ago. She got out of the car trying to get a cell signal, then someone starts shooting at her.

Asher is on his way back to Fool’s Gold after his morning climb near he calls Three Guys Garage, before he reaches the vehicle since cell service is spotty up here. When he approaches, he hears someone yell get down and take cover. Someone is shooting. He gets back to his truck and approaches the car from the other direction so the driver can get into his truck. He drives away for a bit before pulling over to talk to the woman.

Liberty explains she was heading to Fool’s Gold and what had happened. She doesn’t know why anyone would be shooting at her, she’s not from around here. Once Asher knows the garage truck is almost there they meet it at her car so she can get her purse. It’s then that they introduce themselves more formally and she tells him she’s looking for her sister and her friend as they drive into Fool’s Gold.

Breakfast and phone calls are on the top of the list for Asher to get things organized to help find the missing women. First stop is Maddie’s Diner and Breakfast.

This is a favorite scene.

The town became visible up ahead and the sheriff’s office was on the right side of the road.

“Are we going to stop in there?” she asked.

“No. First thing we’re going to get you some breakfast and then we’ll see the sheriff. Besides, if I know Sparrow, she’ll probably be at Mattie’s diner anyway picking up her morning coffee. So, we might just get lucky and kill two birds with one stone.” His grin widened and then he laughed.

“Why is that funny?”

“Her husband’s name is Stone.” He glanced at her. “Stone Bishop is on the Team Trojan unit of the Brotherhood Protectors.”

Liberty nodded again. “It sounds like there are a lot of these Brotherhood Protectors living here in Fool’s Gold.”

“Yeah. About seventy-five or so now. Maybe more.” Asher slowed his truck as they passed Peak Realty pointing to the right. “There’s the bed and breakfast I was telling you about and beside it is Mattie’s Diner.”

He turned onto Bear Paw Trail and found a parking spot on the street, and they got out, walking back to Main Street. “There’s also Team Falco, the firefighting five brothers who pull double duty working for the Colorado Division as well as the Fool’s Gold Fire Department. Then there is Team Raptor who runs The Centre on the outskirts of town. It’s this great place to work out, take yoga classes, and train. If you get a chance while in town, you should really check it out.”

“Are you part of a team?” she asked when he opened the door to the diner for her to enter.

“I am. My buddies from service and I compose Team Watchdog.”

She giggled. “Watchdog? Are they all lean and mean like you?”

He arched his brows a few times at her. “Honey, I’m far from mean. I might be bad, but that’s when I’m at my best.”

“Modest, are you?” He chuckled.

“We were dubbed that because we do recon and are watching over everything.”

He walked into the dining area and looked around. “Looks like we’re sitting at the counter. Do you mind?”

She shook her head and followed him over to the vinyl stools where Mattie, the owner, was wiping it down where two spots had just opened.

“Morning, Asher, how are things out at the Lost Valley?” she asked.

“Fine.”

“I’m surprised you’re in town instead of eating there,” she filled their coffee cups and placed two menus in front of them.

“I was out early scaling the rocks at Ute Pass when I came upon Ms. Killion stranded. Her car broke down, so Joe from Three Guys has it checking it out. We’re going to get some breakfast while we wait.”

“Deanna’s got a breakfast casserole this morning, buttermilk biscuits, and a side of ham, bacon, or sausage, your choice as the special. Or you can order off the menu. I’ll give you a few moments to look it over.”

Once she was gone to help another customer, Asher laid the menu down and looked at Liberty, “I’m partial to the hotcake platter.”

“I had a feeling that’s what you’d order,” she said. “You can get away with eating like that and not worry about where those carbs go.”

“I burned up a lot of calories climbing this morning.”

“I’m sure you did,” she said, not once looking up from her menu. “There’s not a single healthy option on here.”

“Don’t let Mattie hear you say that. She prides herself on serving a good variety of food. Eggs are healthy. The bacon is lean, and so is the sausage.”

“Turkey sausage would be better for her customers and an egg white omelet option wouldn’t be a bad choice either.”

“At least you aren’t a vegan,” he muttered.

“No. I’m not. I like my meat.” She laid down the menu and sipped her coffee. Then she gave a sigh. “What if I can’t find my sister? What am I going to do?”

He laid a hand over hers. “Let’s not worry about that just yet. Getting you something to eat is our priority right now.”

Mattie returned. “Are you ready to order?”

“I want the hotcake platter, eggs scrambled, covered, and smothered. Bacon crisp.”

“And for you?” Mattie asked.

“Toast with two eggs over easy. Do you have yogurt?”

“No. But we have a fresh fruit cup.”

“I’ll take that,” Liberty said.

“Bacon?” Mattie asked. “I’ll just steal a piece of his.”

“Hey now!” Asher objected.

Mattie laughed. “I’ll be back to refill your coffee cups.”

“I’ll be right back as well.” Liberty got up and looked around. “Um… which way to the restrooms?”

Asher rotated his stool and pointed her in the right direction. “Hurry back.”

She smiled and made her way through the maze of tables to the powder room as it was called on the door. The décor was quite chic for such a small town, and she was shocked by her reflection in the mirror. She quickly dug in her purse and found a comb, running it through her shoulder-length blonde hair so it didn’t look so stringy from the heat. Her hair was one area she always had trouble with, but Justus didn’t.

Her hair had body and was easier to manage, just like their mothers had been.

Damn it.

Hot tears threatened to spill forth and she closed her eyes to keep them at bay, but it did no good. They fell down her cheeks and she was sniffling like a child when the door to the restroom opened, and a brunette entered.

“Are you okay? Would you like me to get someone for you?” she asked.

Liberty shook her head, unable to speak, as she tried to stop the tears. “I–I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry for. Sometimes we must cry,” the woman said, grabbing tissues from a nearby box and handing them to her. “I saw you were with Asher when I came in with Simon. I’m Jocelyn. Simon is a Brotherhood Protector like Asher, but he works at The Centre on the outskirts of town.”

Liberty wiped her eyes and then she blew her nose, tossing the used tissue in the trash. Then she washed her hands, splashing cold water on her face before blotting herself dry with a paper towel. “He mentioned that to me, but he didn’t tell me about the individual members who worked at The Centre or their girlfriends.”

“Wife.” Jocelyn held up her left hand, wiggling her fingers to show off the lovely diamond band on her fourth finger. “We haven’t been married long. I have my own PI office in town at the other end of Bear Paw Trail here. I guess he didn’t tell you that either?”

“Actually, he did say something about introducing me to the local PI.”

“He did?”

She nodded. “I’m Liberty Killion. My younger sister is missing. That’s why I’m blubbering in the bathroom. I guess I held it together as long as I could. It didn’t help getting shot at this morning out at the pass after my car ran out of gas.”

“What? Oh, honey, you have been through a lot. I’d be falling to pieces right now. Tell me more and maybe I can help.”

She retraced her story from arriving in Colorado until meeting up with Asher and arriving at the diner for breakfast. “He thinks I should just focus on getting some food down first and then looking for her.”

“I can understand his reasoning. And those circles under your eyes tell me you haven’t slept much since you got off the plane either. I don’t want to give you false hope, but I believe that between the brotherhood, my services, and our tapping into Chambers Search and Rescue we might be able to get you one step closer to having your sister back with you. And I’m sure Asher would have told you about Rita once you’d eaten breakfast.”

“Rita?”

“She owns Chambers Search and Rescue. Of course, we don’t know that we need her services, but we can alert her team and they can be on the lookout for Justus and Chaney when they are out on the trails around here and in Colorado Springs. But as for figuring out who was shooting at you, that is a tough one. Have you reported it to the sheriff’s office yet?”

“No, but Asher is expecting to see the sheriff when she comes here for coffee.”

“True enough. Sparrow does visit Mattie for that,” Jocelyn said. “I’m sure he has you covered.”

Liberty nodded, tucking her hair behind her left ear, and smiled, feeling better hearing this possibility. “Thank you for talking with me. I think I can go back out and eat my breakfast now.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear it. Have Asher bring you to my office once you’re finished. We’ll map out a search plan to find your sister and go from there,” Jocelyn said. “I’ll definitely have him bring me by.”
Tyler, Leanne, Asher’s Watch: Brotherhood Protectors World (Team Watchdog Book 2). Kindle Locations (284-353). Twisted Page Press, LLC. Kindle Edition.

From the diner, Asher calls Swede to get him started on the cell phone numbers as they head to meet with Jocelyn. Asher leaves her with Jocelyn while he heads to a meeting with his team. Later they would file a full report with the sheriff. Before that Liberty needs to check into the bed and breakfast and have a nap. She can’t keep going on no sleep.

The meeting with Jake and the other Brotherhood Protector teams centers on the new information of a crime ring functioning in or near Fool’s Gold. They know drugs are involved and quite possibly sex crimes as well. With that in mind, Asher shares what happened with Liberty this morning and the information on the two missing girls. The information Swede found puts the crime ring somewhere in the vicinity of Ute Pass, it’s also noted to be wary of a sniper in that area now. Jake puts Asher on Lead for this since he’s already close with Liberty.

We meet some interesting characters like the coroner Dr. Millard Palmer and the two retired reporters, Frank and Silas. We also see Rita, RJ, JoJo, and Sparrow along with Asher’s teammates Mason, Cruz, and Kent. Jake is around for all of it too.

This is a very emotional book, and Asher does everything he can to help Liberty up her protective skills while she insists on continuing her own search for Justus and Chaney.

There’s laughter, tears, action, attraction, romance, and sizzle too.

I really love this multi-author mini-series in the Brotherhood Protectors World.

5 Contented Purrs for Leanne!

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Leanne Tyler

Award-winning author Leanne Tyler writes sweet and somewhat sensual romances whether historical, contemporary, or romantic suspense. Her newest series the Chicago Protection Task Force is part of the Elle James’ Brotherhood Protectors World. Other series includes her popular The Good Luck series–a collection of short contemporary romantic comedy romances set in East Tennessee. In addition to her contemporary novels, she writes American historical novels set prior to and during the Civil War.

Leanne lives in East Tennessee with her young-adult son and three-year-old Yorkie, Willie.

She invites readers to step into her world and enjoy the passion.

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His Sunshine Mate – Dungeons & Gargoyles Book 2 by Sidney Bristol

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His Sunshine Mate
Dungeons & Gargoyles Book 2
By
NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author
Sidney Bristol

1cf2a-addtogoodreads

Gwendolyn

The only way I’ll survive this carnivorous forest is with Kanza. It’s time for the performance of my life. If I don’t sell the defenseless damsel act I can’t give Kanza the opening he needs. Without him I won’t get out of here. Too bad he hates me with every fiber of his being, because he’s starting to grow on me.

Kanza

She’s betrayed me. I should have seen this coming, but I was blinded. It makes sense. Why would she choose a runt of a monster like me when she could be saved by her own kind? If only she realized she is playing right into their trap. I’ll save or, or I’ll die trying. There is no other option for me.

Lies and deception come to the surface as Gwen and Kanza begin the fight of their life. If they’re going to survive the dungeon, they’ll have to take a step of faith and trust one another. Otherwise, this encounter will be a critical failure.

If you haven’t read Her Grumpy Stone Guardian, STOP! Go back and read it, this book begins where that one left off.

When we last saw Gwen, Kanza and Sara, Kanza had figured out she wasn’t what she appears to be. I believe Gwen had as well but at the moment Sara has a gun to her head.

That’s where we begin this book as Kanza thinks about his brother Micco and how he’d love to see him again, but not at the expense of Gwen’s life. As he follows Sara’s instructions and enters the cabin that now exists in the forest. Sara continues her demands and just when Gwen is about to break, Shane the redcap who captured them, and Maxine’s second in command shows up. Sara isn’t happy since they are on camera, and she can’t talk back to him.

Even as Shane ups the plays here, he doesn’t know what Kanza does. The collar Sara forced Gwen to put on him, doesn’t take his strength, it only took away his magic.

Big surprises for the bad guys here, and I loved every minute of it. Especially when Kanza finds what Shane has on him, two warding stones. They could very well be their ticket out of this hellish place.

The exchange between Maxine and her boss Lauren is very informative and doesn’t bode well for Maxine at all.

Kanza now with his magic creates a safe place for Gwen and him for the rest of the night as they get cleaned up. Gwen needs to forget, and Kanza is more than happy to oblige. Working on a plan to get out of here would happen tomorrow. They can’t find a door, apparently, they shift along with the landscape. Instead, they set traps for the next thing that is sent in to attack them.

Only it’s something that flies. Several a’baliy begin their attack. They aren’t very big, but they are vicious, intelligent and determined. Kanza is protecting Gwen when they steal the amulet that blocks the daytime stone curse. Gwen is alone now with Kanza a stone statue and she needs to get that amulet back.

This is a favorite scene.

My gaze snags on a glimmer of movement. I see it.

The blue one swipes at a branch getting too close and something dangles from its clawed hand.

Kanza’s amulet.

If they attack as one, I’m done for.

Which means I have to surprise them. I have to act completely out of character for a human. They’re smart, they have instinct, and experience. And so do I. These creatures might not be the monsters I pictured, but that doesn’t change the fact that I have prepared myself for this. I might not be a trained psychologist, but I spent my spare time studying human behavior and profiling. Most of us are fearful animals that default to flight instead of fight.

What would Jill do?

I suck down air and bellow, though there’s nothing fearsome about the sound. The colorful creatures start and the two closest flit away from me when I charge forward. The blue one watches me a moment longer before diving away. It’s the last one, the rosy pink one, that watches me like a true predator might. But I pay it no mind. I have my target.

My legs burn as I streak after the creature. It’s fast, and I am not. I catch glimpses of its jeweled wings between the trees, but it’s already outpaced me.

Damn it.

I skid to a stop, and that’s when the rosy pink one pounces. I see it out of the corner of my eye, but I don’t have the opportunity to react.

Pain erupts as it crashes into me so hard we’re both knocked onto the ground, rolling one over the other.

These little terrors. Why? Why do they have to be so cruel?

I throw my weight into the roll and twist around until I’m able to jab at the rosy monster. The blunt edge of the long blade scrapes over the creature’s arm and straight through its butterfly wing. Its iridescent eyes go wide, and it opens its mouth, gurgling in what I assume is pain.

Something slams into me from behind. My nose connects with the ground and I see stars. Twig like fingers dig into my hair and slam my head on the ground two more times. I buck my hips and sling my elbows back, unseating the blue monster with Kanza’s amulet enough I can roll over. The long knife is gone, lost to the underbrush. Because of course it is.

Fuck all of this.

I’m done.

This whole time I couldn’t help but feel sorry for these toothy trees or even the barghest. They can’t fight their nature. They can’t help how the people behind all of this have twisted things from the natural order.

They prey on the weak and vulnerable. People like me. And they enjoy it.

Enough is enough.

I yank the canister from the side of the backpack.

I bought one of these a few years ago during the pandemic when I thought I would learn how to bake. I only succeeded in almost burning down my apartment.

The blue creature pulls back its arm to swing at me, but I squeeze the small blowtorch handle first and thrust my arm forward. The mass of hair on the creature’s back catches fire like it’s doused in gasoline.

It waves its arms and flings the amulet into the underbrush as it skitters backward away from me. But the fire is spreading up its back and over its wings.

Fire is a terrible way to die. One of the worst, as far as I’m concerned. I’ll hear the creatures’ dying screams for the rest of my life. I’m sure I could have done something else. Literally anything, but the blowtorch was the first thing I grabbed in my desperation.

I’m going to think about this moment for the rest of my life and wonder, could I have done something better? Anything at all?

Diving into the brush, I yank at the bushes, ignoring the thorns that shred my hands until I spy a bit of glimmering amber.

The amulet!

I grab the precious necklace and shove it in my mouth. My jeans are so ripped I don’t trust my pockets and my bra is damaged to the point I can’t count on it either.

Whirling around, I watch the rosy colored creature try to flit its wings and crash to the ground.

Some of the underbrush has caught fire. The trees quake and sway. I even see some roots beginning to surface in an attempt to carry the tree away.

I must get back to Kanza.

Right now.

Which way did I come from? Where is Kanza? And what about the other two?

I catch sight of something pink in the distance. I scramble that way, glancing back, only to see that one tree has caught fire. Its roots are pulled up like feet and it totters slowly this way and that. Other trees shove the burning one aside with their long limbs, only for it to be pushed by its neighbors.

Shit.

The fire is already spreading rapidly.

The trees are far more flammable than I could have expected.

This is really bad.

I tear through the brush, choosing a straight line instead of going around things.

I burst through some bushes right as the remaining pink creature smashes a rock against Kanza’s horns. The tip breaks off in a shower of rock fragments.

Rushing forward, I sling my backpack like a weapon, knocking the creature off Kanza. But it doesn’t flee. The pink creature does a neat flip mid-air and launches itself at me. Talons rake over my arms and shoulders as its feet cling to my hips. I scream my rage and slam the blowtorch against the creature’s chest and squeeze the trigger.

The pink creature pitches backward, screaming, buying me precious moments.

I spin to face Kanza, tears clouding my vision.

Vines have already wrapped around him and pulled him to one side. As if the trees are content to eat solid stone.

Rage boils my blood. I kick out, breaking the vines. These damn trees have plagued us at every turn. I press the blowtorch to the trunk of the closest tree and squeeze. I hate the relief I feel when the tree shimmies and shivers in place before swaying away from me.

Something cracks in the distance. The creaking of wooden limbs grows louder along with the dramatic rustling of leaves.

I have to hurry.

Turning back to Kanza, my breath catches in my throat. His horn on the right side is half gone. Just broken. And it’s all my fault. If he didn’t have to protect me, he wouldn’t have gotten injured. He wouldn’t have been here at all.

I spit the amulet back out. My hands tremble and my fingers are slick with blood, but I loop the broken cord around his neck and try my best to knot it.

“No. No. No!” I wail.

Is the amulet broken? Will it not work once the cord has snapped?

I cinch down the knot a moment before the remaining green creature waylays me. As I go crashing to the ground, I’m pelted with stone.

The sweetest roar I’ve ever heard rips through the chaos.

Kanza isn’t fully flesh before he pounces, ripping the creature off me. He digs his claws into the thing, shaking it with fury. It claws at his arm, struggling to get away. Kanza reaches out and snaps the creature’s wings off and hurls them both at the trees. Then his hands are all over me. I can’t help but sob. I know I’m holding him back. I’m weak and human. He’s sacrificed so much on my account, and now he’s lost part of his horn.

“Gods. Gods, you’re safe.” Kanza buries his face against my chest and squeezes me, all while the fire begins to spread. Dark plumes of smoke trail into the sky and between the leaves. “I couldn’t do anything but watch. Gods, Gwen!”

“Watch out!”

I shove at him, but he only holds me tighter as walls of earth shoot up on all four sides. I hear the hard thunk of one of the other creatures slamming against the wall.

“Get on my back,” Kanza orders.

I want to say no, that he should fight without me, but I don’t want to be separated from him.

He turns and crouches a little, allowing me to wrap myself around him like a monkey. I have to wonder, how long can I do this? The long, bloody gashes on my arms are worse than I realized.

“Hold on!” he shouts back.

Kanza leaps up and digs his claws into the dirt wall, then begins to climb up past the canopy and the danger into the sky. He climbs for what feels like forever, enough time for me to begin to catch my breath.

“Your horn. Kanza—”

“It’s just a horn.”

“It broke off! While you were stone!”

“I know. It doesn’t matter.”

“You knew?” I sob all over again. “But you were stone!”

“I lied,” he blurts out over me. “I’m completely aware when I’m stone. Totally aware of every aching minute when I didn’t know where you were.

Well shit.

I mean, I get why he wouldn’t have told me, but now I feel so silly. I kissed him. Unwillingly! That’s not very progressive of me.

We reach the top of what I can only call a dirt chimney. Kanza perches on the edge and we peer down at the fire quickly spreading below. In the distance, I can see trees moving away, distancing themselves from the threat.

“I want to rip each one of them limb from limb,” Kanza says in a low, deadly voice.

I hug him with all my strength.

All I want is for this to be over. To wake up to pancakes and video games. To spend lazy days arguing about silly things and learning about his world.

“Your arms…” His fingers slide over my fingers, which are blessedly uninjured.

“Don’t worry about that right now.”

“Can you hold on?”

“I’ll manage.”

He shakes his head and launches us into the air.

“Hold on tight,” Kanza says.

The air rushes up from below, pushing us higher and higher into the sky, while everything below us burns.
Bristol, Sidney. His Sunshine Mate: Gwen and Kanza Part 2 (Dungeons & Gargoyles). Kindle Locations (1290-1358). Inked Press. Kindle Edition.

Now free, Kanza brings Gwen to his nest and what a nest it is. He needs the tag out of his ear and while squeamish about doing it Gwen manages it. Gwen confesses that her jewelry recorded the beginning of their ordeal. Followed by some serious heat between them as they get cleaned up from their ordeal.

Gwen needs to contact Kyle and Dion. Kanza tells her what he believes and she’s about to shock her two friends. They need all the notes they’ve gathered on the Animal Attacks in order to make an airtight case.

One of the big things being in Kanza’s nest is that he really feels she’s his mate, but she has to want him as much as he wants her. There’s a lot to work out here and communication on an emotional level is more suggestion than fact. The mention of mates comes up in an obtuse way and has Gwen thinking but not putting all the pieces together.

Maxine isn’t giving up and she wants them or at least him back. Plus, she has to meet her boss Lauren’s demand of a dragon or die.

We get to meet some interesting creatures as this story progresses. Jacy, Micco’s partner, joins them and they have to get the Nue Warriors on their side.

There are many twists in this story as suspense ramps up and the authorities get involved. Kanza is quite the romantic at times and then there is that sizzling heat between them that is more than just attraction.

I can’t wait to read more about these characters, there’s still questions to be answered.

5 Contented Purrs for Sidney!

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sidney-bristol  Sidney Bristol

It can never be said that NYT & USA Today Bestselling author Sidney Bristol has had a ‘normal’ life. She is a recovering roller derby queen, former missionary, tattoo addict and board game enthusiast. She grew up in a motor-home on the US highways (with an occasional jaunt into Canada and Mexico), traveling the rodeo circuit with her parents.

Sidney has lived abroad in both Russia and Thailand, working with children and teenagers. She now lives in Texas where she spends her time writing, reading, hunting Pokemon, playing board games and catering to her furry overlords, aka the cats.

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