HALLOWEEN SCARE TRAIL

 

What draws me to the paranormal genre?

There are so many answers to that question, but I'll try to answer as best as I can. What draws me to the paranormal genre is the lack of rules. There simply aren't any. You can write whatever you can imagine. If you want your werewolves to be vegans, then they can be vegans. That would actually be quite funny. Or how about a vampire that faints at the sight of blood (I wrote that in "Wolf's Bane").

I once got into an argument with a friend who insisted vampires could not walk in daylight. Apparently, everyone knew that. It just wasn't done. My side of the argument was that vampires could walk in daylight, if you wrote them that way, and I have. I've also written stories where they can't walk in daylight.

Again, there are no rules. If you can think it, you can write it. The "paranormal world" is a blank slate. Go. Imagine. Create. Inspire.

Follow the scare trail and leave a comment each time for your chance to win one of our prizes.

RJ Scott - $20 Amazon Gift Card

www.rjscott.co.uk

 

Angel Martinez - $25 Pride Publishing Gift Certificate

https://angelmartinezauthor.weebly.com/from-angels-cave

 

V.L. Locey - $10 Redbubble Gift Card

http://thoughtsfromayodelinggoatherder.blogspot.com/

 

Jordan Castillo Price - Ebook or Audio of Reader's choice plus JCP Swag Pack

www.jordancastilloprice.com/blog

 

J.L. Merrow - Ebook of both newly re-released werewolf novels Camwolf & Midnight In Berlin.

https://jlmerrow.com/

 

Rick R. Reed - Ebook of A Demon Inside from DSP Publications

http://rickrreedreality.blogspot.com/

 

K.A. Merikan - Paperback

https://www.facebook.com/KAMerikan/

 

Charlie Richards - $20 Amazon Gift Card

http://www.charlie-richards.com/

 

Amber Kell - $20 Amazon Gift Card

www.amberkell.com

 

Eli Easton - $20 Amazon Gift Card and second prize of ebook copies of Gothika #1-4

www.elieaston.com

 

Charlie Cochet - 3 x $10 Amazon Gift Cards

charliecochet.com/blog

 

Meredith Russell - $10 Amazon Gift Card

http://meredithrussell.co.uk/ 

 

 

Alex Jane - $10 Amazon Gift Card and Ebook from back catalogue.

www.alexjane.info

 

Stormy Glenn - $20 Amazon Gift Card and backlist ebook.

http://stormyglenn.blogspot.com

 

 

Annabelle Jacobs - $10 Amazon Gift Card and backlist ebook

annabellejacobs.com

 



HOT MESS 6 TIDBIT

This still makes me laugh, and I wrote it!

 

"You still killed a DEA agent."

"He had it coming."

"You have to answer for that, Mr. Delvecchio."

I narrowed my eyes. "I've been kidnapped and nearly raped by a SWAT officer, kidnapped and tortured by a crooked cop, attacked by another cop, stabbed by an assassin, attacked by my father-in-law, held hostage at gunpoint, shot at by people who kidnapped my husband, assaulted by mob thugs, kidnapped by an insane doctor running a drug lab, sold as a sex slave, kidnapped and held hostage by drug dealers running a child slavery ring, hid out with an Irish mobster, crashed twelve cars, and—"

"Thirteen cars, caro," Sal added. "You forgot the one you drove through the front of the art gallery."

I shot Sal a quick smile before glaring at the DEA dick again. "I've crashed thirteen cars and been crushed by an elephant. My husband is commander of one of the most elite SWAT units in the city. My uncle is the police commissioner. My parents are Lancaster and Cynthia Harris. My best friend is the son of a mobster. My husband's best friend is an FBI agent. I have a blood bond with the head of the Irish mob. I have twin baby girls who went through teething at the same time."

I crossed my arms as I took a step closer to the DEA agent. I smirked when he took a quick step back. "Do you seriously think you scare me?"

https://www.bookstrand.com/book/hot-mess-6

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GSJS17G/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

 

FINISHED & SUBMITTED: Happy's Joy

HAPPY'S JOY

Cade Creek 19

coming September 20th

Happy and Marc have been together for a couple of years and things are going good for them. Once they bring a puppy into the family, Happy starts to wonder if they need to expand their family. He's positive Marc would make an excellent father, even if he's a little unsure if he would himself.

Deputy Marc Walker had no idea when he rescued Joy that she would come to mean so much to him and Happy. She was the little girl he had always dreamed about, and she was in need of his protection and the love of life only Happy could provide.

When someone comes for Joy, Marc has to decide if giving Joy up is the best thing for her or if it will destroy the sweet little girl he has come to adore. He'll need to call in his friends and co-workers to help keep her safe while they figure out who is after her.

http://www.stormyglenn.com/cadecreek.htm

STORY EXCERPT

Happy was going to bounce right out of his boots. He was...well...happy. Marc had the rest of the day off and they were spending it together, and they were attending Happy's first fireworks show, and he'd made a double batch of cookies.

Could the day get any better?

"Okay, Happy," Marc said as he walked into the house, "everything is loaded in the truck. Are you ready to go?"

Happy nodded enthusiastically. "Mama said she would meet us there. She has something she needs to do first."

"How is she going to get there?" Marc asked. "The fireworks show is at the fairgrounds."

"Oh...um..." Happy's brow puckered as he glanced toward the backdoor. The stairs that led to his mother's one bedroom apartment over the garage was just outside. "I don't know."

Maybe he should go ask?

"Well, run up and ask her. I'll wait in the truck."

Happy grinned before taking off out the backdoor. He hurried up the stairs and started to reach for the doorknob when he remembered what Marc had said about barging in unannounced. His mother deserved her privacy.

Happy didn't totally understand it. Why would she need her privacy, especially from him? She was his mother. Whatever the reason, Happy loved his mother and would do anything to make her happy.

He raised his hand and knocked. A moment later, the door opened. "Hi, Mama."

Anna O'Brian smiled. "Happy."

"You sure look pretty, Mama." She wore a light layering of makeup that seemed to make her green eyes stand out and gave her a youthful look he'd never seen on her face before. Her light brown hair was pulled back from her face and secured on her head in an artful bun.

"How are you getting to the fireworks show?" he asked. "Do you need me and Marc to come get you? We can. It would be no problem."

Anna smiled as she patted Happy's arm. "It's okay, son. I have a ride. I'll meet you there."

Happy cocked his head to one side as something that might have been confusion filled him. "You have a ride?" He didn't understand the flush that filled his mother's cheeks, but it sure looked pretty on her. "With who?"

"You go on to the fairgrounds, Happy. I'll see you there."

Happy's jaw dropped when his mother shut the door.

She shut the door!

In a daze, Happy walked back down the stairs and out to the truck. He didn't understand any of this. It had been weird enough when his mother got her hair cut then started wearing makeup. She'd even gone on a shopping trip and bought a bunch of new clothes. Now she was being weird?

What was going on?

Happy climbed into the truck and shut the door. When the truck didn't start moving, he turned to look at Marc. "We're going to be late."

"They won't start setting off the good fireworks until it gets dark out," Marc explained. "Where's your mom?"

Happy frowned as he glanced back toward the stairs that led to his mother's apartment. "Mama has a ride."

"With who?" Marc asked.

"I don't know." And he didn't like that one darn bit. "She said she'd meet us there."

"Maybe she has a date."

Happy gasped as he snapped around to stare at Marc.

"Happy, your mother is still a young, vibrant woman. She never got the chance to date because of your grandparents. Now that they are gone and you're all grown, this is her chance. You have to give it to her."

"Yeah, but..."

Marc's hand curved around the nape of Happy's neck. "But what, baby?"

"But she's my mom."

"And she still will be, Happy. Nothing will change that. Ever."

Happy's heart clenched. "Will she still love me?"

Marc's eyes rounded. "Oh, baby, of course she will. Your mom will love you until her dying day, and probably beyond. Even if she meets someone and falls in love, she will still love you."

"Are you sure?" Happy didn't think he could stand it if his mother stopped loving him. For most of his life, she was all he had.

"Did you stop loving your mother when you fell in love with me?"

Happy's head snapped back. "Of course not. She's my mom. I will always...Oh." Happy grinned when he suddenly understood what Marc was trying to tell him.

"See?"

Happy nodded. Not all of his fear was gone, though. "What if she falls in love with someone who hurts her?" She'd faced enough hurt to last a lifetime.

"Well, we can't control who she falls for. That's between her and whoever that person is, but we can help her if she needs us." The hand around the back of Happy's neck moved to the side of his face. "And I promise, if someone hurts your mother, they'll have to deal with me."

Tears welled up in Happy's eyes at Marc's fierce words. "Yeah?"

Marc smiled. "Anything for you, Happy."

AVAILBLE FOR PRE-ORDER: Finding Lost Treasures

FINDING LOST TREASURES

Cade Creek 18

coming August 30, 2018

Available for pre-order!

All Hector Cruz wanted was a place to call his own, but buying a rundown farm came with more problems than he'd been expecting. Between the needed repairs, the problems at work, and the man hiding out in his basement, he was starting to wonder if finding a place to call home was worth the headache.

Wilson Jacks was hiding. He'd done some really horrible things and now he was paying the price for his crimes. Being alone in the world made him ache for all the things he couldn't have. He had no friends, no home, no one to call his own, but that was a punishment in itself, one he felt he richly deserved.

When his world collides with the one man who doesn't expect perfection, learning to accept that he might not be a monster isn't as hard as accepting the fact that Hector is attracted to him. The fragile peace Will finds in Hector's arms begins to shatter when the chaos he's been avoiding comes knocking on the door.

https://www.bookstrand.com/finding-lost-treasures-mm

 

STORY EXCERPT

Wilson Jacks's heart thundered painfully in his chest. He could hear voices rumbling above him, but he couldn't quite make out the words. His trouble breathing only grew worse when he heard a door close then footsteps walking across the floor.

He knew hiding out here was a really bad idea, but the house had been vacant when he found it, dilapidated and rundown as if no one had lived there in ages. He'd thought it would be the perfect place to hide.

Then Hector moved in.

Will knew who Hector was. He'd heard the man's name mentioned enough times by those who came by the place to realize the man who'd bought the house was the same one who'd been shot the day Will had been shot.

He also knew the man had been roommates with Terry Iverson, the man Will had been forced to humiliate by accusing him of sexual misconduct. Will had hated to do it, but it had been his only option.

Will was terrified of what Hector would do once he discovered his uninvited houseguest. Hector had been shot because of him. His friend had gone through so much misery because of him. Dan Wilson had been forced to arrest his own father because of him.

So many horrible things had happened and they all led back to Will.

Will sniffled then wiped at his nose with the sleeve of his shirt. He wished he could just run away, run as far as he could go until he found someplace where no one knew him or knew about what he'd done.

Unfortunately, he had no way to run. He'd lost his job as a paramedic. When he lost his job, he could no longer afford his apartment. He'd sold most everything he owned, keeping just a few personal items. He didn't even have his car anymore.

He felt guilty about taking Hector's sandwich, but with no way into town—not that he'd actually consider going into Cade Creek after what he'd done—he had no way to buy groceries. Since he sold almost everything he owned, he had no way to cook food even if he had it.

It wasn't like he planned to spend the rest of his life in Hector's basement. He just needed enough time to figure out what he was going to do, which was proving to be harder than he thought it would be.

Will's breath caught in his throat when the door at the top of the basement opened. He scooted back away from the light shining down the stairs as far as he could go.

"You can come out now. The sheriff is gone."

Oh god, he was gonna die.

Will just knew it.

Hector was going to figure out it was him hiding in the basement and the man would kill him. Will was no dummy. He'd seen the size of the man's muscles. Hector could squash him with a snap of his fingers.

"Come on out," Hector said. "This passage is too narrow for me to come down there without squeezing myself into a pretzel."

Will believed it.

Hector's voice was a lot lower and more menacing when he spoke again. "Don't make me come down there. I won't be happy."

Will grabbed his bag in case he needed to make a run for it, and pushed himself to his feet. He kept a tight grip on the handle of his bag as he slowly stepped into the light. He swallowed tightly then glanced up to the top of the stairs. The second his eyes met Hector's eyes, Will dropped his gaze.

Hector's massive chest heaved when he sighed. "Come on up, Will."

It took every ounce of Will's control to force himself to take that first step. One by one, he climbed up the stairs, his eyes never leaving the pulse beating in Hector throat.

When he reached the top of the stairs, he wasn't sure what to expect. He was almost positive that Hector was going to grab him, force him down the hallway, then toss him out the front door. He never expected the man to simply step back and allow him out of the basement.

Will clutched his bag tightly to his chest and quickly stepped through the doorway and out into the hallway. He took a couple of steps back, making sure there was plenty of room between him and Hector. He wanted a head start if he needed to run.

Hector shut the door then walked right on past him. "You want some water or something?"

"No, thank you," Will murmured.

Hector's dark eyebrows were raised when he glanced over his shoulder. "Are you sure?"

Will shrugged. To be honest, his throat was so parched, it hurt, but he wasn't going to admit that.

Hector grunted before continuing toward the kitchen. Will waited for a moment before following after the man. He paused in the archway and watched as Hector grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge. He licked his dry lips when Hector unscrewed the top and took a long swallow.

Hector stared at him for a moment after lowering his bottle of water then turned and reached into the fridge for another bottle. When he held it out, Will threw caution to the wind and grabbed for the bottle.

He quickly scooted back to the doorframe before opening the bottle and swallowing down almost the entire thing. He tried to save some of it for later, but it was so hard. He hadn't had anything to drink since the previous day.

Hector crossed his arms and leaned back against the counter. His eyebrows were pulled tight together in a pensive expression, almost as if he was trying to figure something out but didn't have all the pieces together yet.

Will clutched at his bottle of water, tensing his muscles in case he had to make a mad dash for the door. The air was thick with unease. Will was pretty sure most of it came from him.

"Were you in my house before or after I bought it?" Hector finally asked.

Will gulped. "Before," he whispered.

"Did you do the work on the baseboards and crown molding?"

"Yes."

Hector cocked his head. "Why?"

Will dropped his eyes to his hands as he shrugged his shoulders. "I ate your food. I wanted to pay you back."

COMING SOON: Fit To Be Tied

Fit To Be Tied

Cade Creek 17

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!

Coming Thursday, August 2nd

DEA Agent Dan Wilson was just looking for a place to rent. He had no idea that it would bring him the love of his life. When he rented a room in an old Victorian just blocks from work, trouble started the very first day. For one, the guy who rented the room to him wasn't the owner. Waking up in bed with Terry wasn't the worst morning he'd ever had, but learning he had been taken for a fool kind of was.

Terry Iverson is incensed when he learns one of his tenants rented out his bedroom to a stranger, the bedroom he'd lived in his entire life. Of course, if he was going to choose someone to share a room with, it would be the handsome DEA agent. It would be great if he was gay, but Terry was a little too afraid to ask. He was the guy's landlord after all.

When someone starts messing with Terry's life, going from making false accusations of sexual harassment against him to trying to kill him, worrying about dating his tenant seems minor in comparison. If he can make it out of this alive, he just might see if the sexy agent was interested in something more than being roommates.

https://www.bookstrand.com/book/fit-to-be-tied

STORY EXCERPT

Terry groaned as he stretched his legs as far as they would go and flexed his toes. He must have slept forever. He felt better than he had in a very long time. He didn't even remember having any nightmares last night. It wasn't often that he went the whole night without at least one nightmare waking him.

Despite the wintery conditions outside, he was toasty warm. The blankets all wrapped around him and the warm solid body behind him. Terry yelled as he jerked and rolled off the bed, landing on the floor with a solid—and somewhat painful—thud.

There shouldn't be a warm body anywhere near him.

A head appeared over the edge of the mattress. If he hadn't been so freaked out, Terry probably could have enjoyed the amused smile on the man's handsome face, but as it was… "Who in the hell are you and what are you doing in my bed?" Terry snapped.

The arched eyebrow was aggravating.

"I'm pretty sure I should be asking you that question," the stranger said. "I believe you are in my bed, not that I mind, but…"

"Look—" It wasn't until he stood and the man's eyes roamed over him that Terry remembered he was naked. He quickly pulled the top blanket off the bed and wrapped it around his hips. His face flamed. "Look, this is my room. It has been my room since before I was born. You're the trespasser here."

The man frowned. It was the first sign that he'd shown that something might be wrong. Apparently, he was used to naked men waking up in his bed. "Hey, I rented this room fair and square. I have a rental contract and everything."

Terry narrowed his eyes. "What rental contract?"

The guy stared for a moment before rolling to the other side of the bed. Terry caught his breath when the man stood, the blankets sliding away as he started across the room. Had there ever been a more perfect ass ever created? Terry didn't know what this guy did for a living, but he could make a mint as an underwear model.

And, apparently, he wasn't shy. After grabbing something out of his jeans, he walked right back. Sweet mother mercy, the front was just as perfect as the back. Terry was pretty sure when God was handing out dicks, this guy got in line twice. Maybe three times. Nice and long, and just thick enough to make someone really feel it.

Damn.

It really had been a long time.

"I signed that when I rented the room two days ago."

Terry regretfully tore his eyes away from Mr. Perfect Dick and stared down at the papers in his hand. It took his befuddled brain a few moments to understand exactly what he was looking at, but once he did, he was pissed.

"Keith rented this room to you…uh…" I glanced at the paper. "Mr. Wilson?"

"Daniel, please, or Dan, and yeah. Is that a problem?"

"Yes. It's my room." Hell, it was his house. "Keith doesn't have the right to rent you anything. He's a tenant. I'm the owner."

"Oh."

"Did you give him any money?" Terry asked as he handed the rental agreement back to Dan.

"First and last month's rent plus deposit. About fifteen hundred dollars."

"Damn it." Terry started to head for his dresser to grab some jeans when he realized his dresser was not where it was supposed to be. It was light enough out that he didn't need a light to look around, and when he did, something cold and sick clenched in his gut.

"Where is my stuff?"

"I don't know, man," Dan said. "The place was empty except for the bed when I got here."

Terry fisted his hands, aching to wrap them around Keith's throat. "I'm going to kill him."

That was my bed.

"Uh, this might be a good time to mention I'm a DEA agent."

That surprised Terry enough that he turned to look at the guy. "You're that new DEA agent that moved to town, the one who works with Mike?"

Dan nodded.

"I thought you were staying in one of Chester's apartments?"

"I was, but it was only temporary until I found another place." When Dan waved his hands around the room, Terry saw the cardboard boxes he hadn't noticed before.

He thrust a hand through his hair. "This is so fucked up."

"Hey, man, I'm sorry. I didn't—"

"No, no. It's not your fault. You didn't know."

"I can have my stuff packed and out of here in a couple of hours."

"No, don't do that." Geez, this whole situation was fucked. Terry couldn't kick Dan out into the cold. "You rented this place on good faith. I'm not going to kick you out because my bonehead tenant decided to cash in on your ignorance."

Dan raised an eyebrow. "Want me to shoot him?"

Terry chuckled. "Let's get your rent money from him first. If he doesn't fork it over, then you can shoot him." Terry tried not to look directly at the beautiful naked man as he waved a hand toward him. It wasn't easy. "Why don't you get dressed and we'll go track Keith down."

"I must be losing my touch." Dan chuckled as he turned to grab his jeans. "Beautiful naked man in my bed and he tells me to put my clothes back on."

"Uh…" Terry didn't really have a good response for that.

He turned and went into the bathroom where he remembered undressing the night before. It made his skin crawl to put his dirty, bloody uniform back on, but what other choice did he have? He had no idea where his stuff was.

By the time he got back to the bedroom, Dan was dressed.

Too bad.

 

THE RIGHTS OF ALL

I was raised by free loving liberal hippies. There's just no other way to put it. I lived in a commune as a child and remember my parents growing pot, living in a bus, being homeschooled, and living off the land on a farm in the middle of nowhere. I married into a conservative, religious military family. My husband's family served, my husband served, and now my son is serving in the military.

In a lot of ways, these two are as far apart as they could get. And in a lot of ways, they are very similar. The love for family was strong in both. The belief in ideals was strong in both. Over the years, I think I have learned from both about their views of the world. Now, here is my problem, and it has nothing to do with either family, but the important things I've learned.

YOU are no more or now less than anyone else. All of the money and prestige in the world means nothing if you believe you are better than anyone else. All of the problems you have don't mean others don't have problems. A man who makes a million dollars can have problems just like a man who has nothing. They may not be the same problems, but that does not mean they don't have them.

A Christian has the same right to practice his faith as a Muslim does. You don't want to be Muslim? Don't go to their church. You don't want to be Christian, don't go to their church. If you believe prayer should be allowed in church, then pray, but don't force others to do the same if they don't want to. On the other side of that is that if you demand prayer in school, then you have to allow all religions have that right, even the religions you don't agree with. Your religion is important to you. Their religion is important to them.

If Tom wants the right to marry Jane, then John can marry Jane. That's his right. But if John wants to marry Harry, that his also his right. You're not marrying Harry. John is. You're not sleeping with him. John is. Unless you plan on standing at the end of their bed every night to watch them have sex, then why do you care? The "I don't want to see that shit" is crap. Cause's guess what, they don't want you to see it either. Surprise!

You have the right to believe how you want, but you must give the same rights to everyone else.

I can't stand classical music. Hate it. That doesn't mean I believe it should be outlawed, but you won't find me tuning into it on the radio. I HAVE THAT RIGHT.

I don't like watching reality TV. Guess what? I don't. I change the channel. I HAVE THAT RIGHT.

I read MM romance because I like it. I also write it because I want to share what I love with others. I HAVE THAT RIGHT (for now).

I fell in love with a big burly bear of a man and I married him. I HAVE THAT RIGHT.

What I listen to on the radio, what I watch on TV, even who I marry and sleep with is my right as a human. I REFUSE to deny that right to others. What I do in the comfort of my own home or even in my bedroom is no one's business except mine. What you do in your bedroom is no one's business except yours.

You CANNOT demand the right to be who you are without allowing others to be who they are.

You CANNOT demand to be able to practice whatever religion you want without allowing others to practice their religion.

You CANNOT demand the right to love whoever you want without allowing others to love who they want.

You CANNOT demand civil rights without allowing others the same civil rights.

You CANNOT demand to be treated with compassion if you do not have the same compassion for others.

You CANNOT demand the right to make decisions about your own body without giving others the same right to decide.

From my liberal free loving hippie family, I learned that everyone should have the same rights. From my conservative religious military family, I learned that we all must fight to ensure everyone has those rights.

If you want to be considered human, then you CANNOT deny others the right to be human.

And guess what, if you don't like what I have to say, that is YOUR RIGHT.

RELEASE DAY: Special K (Pantarius Brothers 2)

SPECIAL K

Pantarius Brothers 2

Now available!

Dominic Pantarius had stood by and watched his best friend and brother find each other and learned what he wanted in life. A mate, that one person meant just for him. One-night hookups no longer held any appeal for him. When a cute veterinarian with soulful brown eyes and a little sass gave him attitude, he was pretty sure he'd found the mate he'd been looking for.

Keeland Fagon was intrigued by Dom the moment the man almost hit him with his motorcycle. Too bad the man had to ruin it by opening his mouth. Keeland was used to bigger men trying to boss him around. he had learned to stand up to them and not let them bully him around. When Dom starts to pursue him, he doesn't know whether to argue with the man or welcome him with open arms.

Introducing Keeland to the world of shifters might send the sexy little human running for the hills, but an accidental bite mates them together for life. Now, Dom has to convince his mate that they belonged together even as outside forces try to rip them apart.

http://www.bookstrand.com/book/special-k

RELEASE DAY: Mark of an Alpha

MARK OF AN ALPHA

available now!

All Xias wanted to do was find a safe place for him and his cubs. With his alpha chasing after him, intent on taking one of his cubs and killing the others, racing through a blizzard in the middle of the night seemed like a good idea. He had no idea when he took shelter in a cave during a blizzard that he had found more than a place to rest. He'd found the one man determined to protect him and his cubs.

Zhuang wasn't on the run exactly, but avoiding his father's demand that he start his own clan sent him into the mountains where he couldn't be reached. When he takes shelter in a cave during a snow storm, he finds his mate and a whole lot more. He also discovers that protecting his mate means changing his entire way of life.

But even going to the shifter council won't keep them safe because the alpha who is after Xias is determined to have him, even if he has to kill everyone standing in his way. Zhuang's only hope in saving his new family is in becoming the alpha his father always wanted him to be.

http://www.bookstrand.com/book/mark-of-an-alpha

TIME MACHINE DISCOUNT: Redemption $.99

~~ $.99 ~~

 

On each day of each year (2006-2011), the following title was released. We celebrate each anniversary date by offering a tremendous discount for a limited time. Enjoy it now!

 

 

Redemption

True Blood Mate 4

[Erotic Alternative Paranormal Romance, M/M, shape-shifters, vampires, light consensual BDSM, sex toys]

Rogan Owens lives a life of secret misery. Three years ago, he lost his mate, who couldn't come out of the closet and acknowledge their bond. He's suffered in silence ever since, taking over as alpha of his mate's clan.

Rogan is overjoyed when he discovers Julian alive. He has so many questions. Where has Julian been? What are the long scars on his body? Most importantly, why is Julian running away from him?

Rogan finally comes to accept that his mate will never want him, only to have Julian decide it's time to come home.

But someone else doesn't want Julian and Rogan reunited, even if it means Julian's death for real this time. Between keeping each other safe and trying to solve the mystery of who wants Julian dead, they barely have time to learn to love each other. Will what they feel for each other make them stronger or be their downfall?

http://www.bookstrand.com/redemption




AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER: Mark of an Alpha

MARK OF AN ALPHA

coming April 26th

All Xias wanted to do was find a safe place for him and his cubs. With his alpha chasing after him, intent on taking one of his cubs and killing the others, racing through a blizzard in the middle of the night seemed like a good idea. He had no idea when he took shelter in a cave during a blizzard that he had found more than a place to rest. He'd found the one man determined to protect him and his cubs.

Zhuang wasn't on the run exactly, but avoiding his father's demand that he start his own clan sent him into the mountains where he couldn't be reached. When he takes shelter in a cave during a snow storm, he finds his mate and a whole lot more. He also discovers that protecting his mate means changing his entire way of life.

But even going to the shifter council won't keep them safe because the alpha who is after Xias is determined to have him, even if he has to kill everyone standing in his way. Zhuang's only hope in saving his new family is in becoming the alpha his father always wanted him to be.

http://www.bookstrand.com/book/mark-of-an-alpha

FINISHED & SUBMITTED: Mark of an Alpha

MARK OF AN ALPHA

coming soon

All Xias wanted to do was find a safe place for him and his cubs. With his alpha chasing after him, intent on taking one of his cubs and killing the others, racing through a blizzard in the middle of the night seemed like a good idea. He had no idea when he took shelter in a cave during a blizzard that he had found more than a place to rest. He'd found the one man determined to protect him and his cubs.

Zhuang wasn't on the run exactly, but avoiding his father's demand that he start his own clan sent him into the mountains where he couldn't be reached. When he takes shelter in a cave during a snow storm, he finds his mate and a whole lot more. He also discovers that protecting his mate means changing his entire way of life.

But even going to the shifter council won't keep them safe because the alpha who is after Xias is determined to have him, even if he has to kill everyone standing in his way. Zhuang's only hope in saving his new family is in becoming the alpha his father always wanted him to be.

http://www.stormyglenn.com/markofanalpha.htm

STORY EXCERPT

"Come on, babies, just a little farther." Xias was lying through his teeth, but the cubs didn't need to know that. The longer they could remain blissfully ignorant of the danger they were in, the better.

He nudged one with his nose when it started to fall behind the other two. He knew there was a cave close by. He'd scouted it out while the cubs were still sleeping, but with the snow coming down so hard he could barely see a step in front of him, he was starting to wonder if he'd ever find it again.

The blizzard had come out of nowhere, hard, cold, and dangerous. Xias knew if he didn't find shelter for him and the cubs soon, they'd be lost in the flurry of bitter cold snow. They'd freeze to death by morning for sure.

Maybe he should have left the cubs behind where they would have been warm and dry. Xias quickly dismissed that idea. His heart ached just thinking about it. Everything in him balked at the idea of anything happening to his cubs.

They were his babies. He had carried them for four months, given birth to the three darling little fur balls. Just because clan law stated they belonged to their sire, didn't make it so, especially when the bastard decided to put two of them to death because they hadn't been born male.

Xias grew enraged every time he remembered his alpha's declaration that two of his cubs were defective. His cubs were precious, each and every one of them. He didn't care if they were boys or girls or purple penguins. They were his cubs and he'd fight to the death to defend each and every one of them.

Which was what had led him to where he found himself now. Racing through a blizzard with his cubs as he tried to find a place to wait out the storm and escape from the alpha intent of killing everything he held dear.

Xias jumped forward when Bai, the oldest of his litter of three cubs, tripped and went face first into a snow drift. He gently grabbed the cub by the back of his neck and lifted him out, giving him a little shake to get some of the snow off of him.

He set Bai on the ground and then nudged him up to his sisters, Liang and Ying. They needed to keep going. If they didn't find that cave, they would perish out here in the snow, which was getting deeper by the second. The snow was coming down in thick plumes.

"Come on, keep moving."

Xias had just about given up hope of ever finding the cave when he spotted a familiar looking rock outcropping. He was almost giddy as he herded the three cubs toward the towering wall of rock.

"Keep going, babies. The cave is just ahead."

By the time they climbed up the rock outcropping and moved toward the cave entrance, the cubs were barely moving, sluggish. Xias knew once they got warmed up and had something to eat, and then got some sleep, they would be fine.

When they reached the mouth of the cave, Xias stepped forward and drew in a lungful of air. He needed to make sure no one had found the cave and taken up residence before he was able to bring the cubs back. He didn't want to escape one dangerous situation only to take his cubs into another one.

When he didn't smell any other scent than his from inside the enclosed space, Xias urged the cubs in through the narrow opening. It was dark inside, but that was no surprise. It was a cave after all. Xias led the cubs over to the far wall, away from the cave opening.

He laid down, smiling when his cubs hurried over to him. In a matter of moments, they were snuggling in, each cub latching on to a teat. Xias began to purr as he fed his babies, leaning down to lick the snow off of each of them in turn.

By the time they were clean and dry, their little tummies were rounded with milk and their eyes were drifting closed. Xias continued to purr until they curled together in a kitten pile and nodded off.

He laid there for a few minutes, soaking in the peacefulness of the moment. There was just something about providing for his cubs that filled him with a calmness he couldn't find anywhere else. The world around him could go to hell as long as he had his cubs right by his side.

Xias glanced up toward the entrance of the cave when he heard a noise. He couldn't quite place what had made that sound, but it raised his hackles. He extracted himself from his cubs and climbed to his paws.

When he heard the noise again, Xias took a few steps forward, placing himself between the cubs and whatever was outside the cave entrance. When the strong, unmistakable scent of an alpha male floated into the cave, Xias thought his heart was going to burst with fear.

Alpha males were known to kill cubs not their own, especially those with crystal blue eyes. They saw them as threats. It didn't matter if the cubs were in their territory or not, it was instinctual to try and eliminate all threats to their rule and the succession of their own offspring.

He tried not to whimper when what was quite possibly the largest white Siberian tiger he had ever seen stepped through the opening. There was no way Xias could ever beat this tiger in a fight. The large feline easily had three hundred pounds on him, most of it muscle mass.

Xias shot his cubs a desperate look. They were partially hidden behind a small outcropping of rock. Maybe the tiger wouldn't see them. Xias could only pray they stayed asleep because he could think of only one way to keep the large cat from attacking.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

I know St. Patrick's Day is upon us and people will be out celebrating. While I wish everyone a wonderful time, I have one small request. Please do not drink and drive. Take a cab, crash at a friend's house, get a designated driver. Do whatever you have to do to stay safe and off the roads, because when you drink and drive, you put not only yourself in danger, but your friends and family.

My brother was 25 when he hit a cement pylon under a freeway overpass. In his drunken state, he forgot to use his seatbelt and was tossed around the cab of his pickup truck, sustaining massive head injuries that took his life within hours. His blood alcohol level was two times the legal limit.

The only saving grace in that horrible accident was that he didn't take anyone with him. But he left a lot of heartbroken family behind. My older brother, the man who I had toddled behind from the time I could walk, was gone. My children never got a chance to meet their uncle. I never got a chance to tell him goodbye. I never got the chance to tell him how much I loved him.

So, go out, have a good time, but find a safe way to return home to those who love you. Please.

 

BOX SET: Venusian Trilogy

VENUSIAN TRILOGY

available March 8th

In To Take a King, Nicolas Callon had no idea that his life was going to change the day he turned twenty five. He had simply been hoping to spend a little time with his best friend and secret crush Cooper Walsh. But nothing turns out like he had hoped. From interfering ex-girlfriends to aliens from outer-space, Nicky’ day just goes to hell.

In To Keep a King, there have been a lot of changes in Nicky’s life recently. Cooper stands by his side as his lover and his champion and Nicky is learning what it means to be king of the galaxy. But not everyone is happy that Nicky has become king. Some want the throne for themselves, and some just want Nicky.

In To Love a King, learning he was king of the universe was traumatic, but Nicky learned to deal with it. He even learned to deal with the fact that his lover was more than he was before. But, apparently, someone else is interested in what Cooper has become and they need Nicky out of the way to get to him.

http://www.bookstrand.com/book/the-venusian-trilogy