Sweethearts Eric Leidheldt and Desiree Chauveau are spending a weekend at
his uncle’s cabin when they encounter two strangers cutting wood. Eric is
knocked unconscious, and Desi is viciously attacked. The following day two
police officers come to their apartment to arrest Desi. Her assailants are
dead, murdered with an axe, and her fingerprints are on it. She
confesses—but is she really guilty? Eric is determined to stand by
her, but the physical and emotional effects of the attack severely challenge
their relationship.
Excerpt
The pickup was a very old, battered Dodge. Beyond it were two bearded men
in plaid flannel shirts. The one with the axe was about forty,
broad-shouldered, and dark-haired. The other one was tall, scruffy, a little
younger, and had red hair. They both turned toward the approaching couple.
The red-haired one stared at Desi in a way Eric didn’t like, but the
other man smiled genially and said, “Howdy, folks. Pretty day,
ain’t it?”
And then he swung the axe.
About the Author
Linda Griffin knew she wanted to be a “book maker” as soon as
she learned to read and wrote her first story, “Judy and the
Fairies,” at the age of six. She retired as fiction librarian for the
San Diego Public Library to spend more time on her writing. She has had
stories of every length from short shorts to novellas published in numerous
literary journals, and The Axe is her seventh book from the Wild Rose
Press.
Dark Lands Christina Bauer (Angelbound Origins, #5) Published by: Monster House Books Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
***Anniversary Edition With Bonus Story: Xavier and Camilla’s Wedding***
Nineteen-year-old Myla Lewis is loving life–she’s a wife, mother, and queen of the demon-fighting thrax. Oh yeah, and being a super-powerful demigoddess who moves souls into Heaven or Hell doesn’t suck, either. In fact, everything is pretty much awesome. Until something craptastic happens.
Her honorary older brother Walker enters the Dark Lands, home to the rule-loving ghouls, and vanishes without a trace.
Now it’s up to Myla to solve the mystery of Walker’s disappearance. Of course, Myla likes interacting with ghouls about as much as elective dental surgery. To make matters harder, everyone thinks that Walker is simply taking a well-deserved vacation. But Myla and her Angelbound love, Lincoln, both suspect that a new criminal called the Viper took Walker in order to release Lucifer, the ex-King of the Angels and a bloodthirsty killer.
Long story short, Myla and Lincoln have only twenty-four hours to rescue their good friend and stop Lucifer from taking over the after-realms. Even for them, this may be a too-tall order, especially when Lucifer’s mysterious past with Myla’s father threatens the very future of the after-realms.
Christina Bauer thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too.
Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.
Be the first to know about new releases from Christina by signing up for her newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/CBupdates
City of a Thousand Tears Pamela Hart (Beauty From Ashes) Publication date: September 5th 2023 Genres: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Beulah is a city divided by privilege and poverty, and seventeen-year-old Ellio lives in the poorest district of all—the Downs. Assigned there at birth, even his extraordinary gift with machines isn’t enough to escape Beulah’s rigid class structure.
But the boundaries of his world start to crumble the night he encounters a mysterious young woman.
Kaya is stubborn, impulsive, and volatile. His opposite in every way. Worse, she’s from Aurea, the city’s golden district, and beneath her hardened exterior lies a web of secrets tangled around Retiarius, the city’s elite fighting guild. How did she wind up in the Downs that night? And what’s her connection to Retiarius?
As Ellio and Kaya’s relationship deepens, they defy the boundaries of Beulah’s class system, risking everything to continue meeting in secret. When their forbidden love is put to the test, Ellio will have to decide if Kaya is just another impossible dream, or if some things are worth fighting for—even in the Downs.
If you enjoy dystopian romances like The Lunar Chronicles, Red Queen, and Divergent, check out this story of courage, love, fierce heroines, and underdogs.
Ellio found a lot of interesting things poking around dumpsters in the Downs, but this was the first time he’d found a foot. Peeking out from under the bin, the glossy black nail polish shimmered from the light of a distant streetlamp. Getting over his initial shock, the young man breathed a sigh of relief when his further investigation revealed that the foot was still attached to a leg. A rather shapely woman’s leg swathed in black biomesh with metal grommets tracing up the seam from calf to thigh.
Falling to his knees, he ignored the water from the puddle now seeping into his jumpsuit and the cold rain that dripped down the back of his neck. He pushed his goggles up into his dark-blue hair. Another, older set dangled from his throat as he leaned down. Ellio peered under the dumpster and was further consoled that the shapely leg was still attached to not only a torso but an entire woman’s body. She seemed to be all in one piece. Choppy black bangs fell in front of her eyes. Her face was flushed and smudged with dirt. Ragged gasps shuddered through her, breath puffing out as little clouds in the chill air. At least she was still breathing. Bodies sometimes turned up in the Downs, but not as often as one might expect.
What on Elorah had happened to her?
The young woman shivered.
Ellio frowned. “Hey, you all right?” He shook her leg gently.
The biomesh cloth of her pants alone was probably worth more than he made in a month. He cringed at the thought of getting grease on them, but then again, the young woman was passed out under a dumpster. Clearly, she had bigger problems. But just to be sure, he wiped his hands along the thighs of his coveralls a few times.
“Hey, c’mon.” Ellio craned his neck underneath the dumpster to see her better. “You can’t stay here.” He gripped her leg more firmly and tugged. The woman’s head lolled back and forth limply; her eyelids fluttered but remained closed.
After getting no response, Ellio partially crawled beneath the rusty trash receptacle. “’Scuse me, lady,” he whispered, sliding his hands lightly underneath her torso and dragging her out from under her makeshift shelter. He was careful not to let her bump her head on the way out.
Ellio kept his hands to respectable areas, but a blush still crept up his neck as he cradled the young woman against his chest. She looked about his age, maybe a year younger. Ellio had just turned seventeen a few weeks back. He couldn’t help noticing she was beautiful, with full pink lips and a cute little nose smattered with freckles. She had golden eyeshadow like wings around her eyes. Ellio swallowed. Brushing her bangs back from her face, he held a calloused hand against her forehead.
“You’re burning up!”
Author Bio:
Pamela Hart is the author of Beauty from Ashes and City of a Thousand Tears. Raised on a steady diet of fantasy, science fiction and anime, she spent most of her childhood failing to acquire a Boston accent. Since then, she has slurped ramen in Ikebukuro, stampeded through flamenco lessons in Granada, and splashed her way across a fishpond for the Milkman Triathlon in Dexter. During her travels, she tends to overpack horrendously, but never regrets cramming her backpack full of books to devour along the way. She wanders the planet with Joe, the love of her life, and her adorably maniacal Boston terriers, Willy and Marvin.
Get ready for a charmingly quirky romance with a twist of murder mystery in Honey Mead Murder!
Honey Mead Murder
Honey Bear Cosy Mysteries Book 1
by Dahlia Donovan
Genre: LGBTQ MM Romance, Cozy Mystery
Get ready for a charmingly quirky romance with a twist of murder mystery in Honey Mead Murder!
Follow the heart-warming story of George Bernard Sheth, a devoted pug and bee lover, who has been secretly crushing on a local mead brewer. But when a customer dies during a mead tasting, Murphy Baird, the brewer, finds himself at the centre of a police investigation.
As the two navigate the murder mystery, they find themselves falling deeper in love, all while trying to stay alive long enough for their first date. With meddling friends and unexpected plot twists, “Honey Mead Murder” is a must-read for anyone who loves a good MM romance and a thrilling mystery.
Dahlia Donovan wrote her first romance series after a crazy dream about shifters and damsels in distress. She prefers irreverent humour and unconventional characters. An autistic and occasional hermit, her life wouldn’t be complete without her husband and her massive collection of books and video games.
Check out the cover for the upcoming Cry of the Grackle by Lee James!
Cry of the Grackle
by Lee James
Genre: SciFi Fantasy
Let me vanish into the void that bore me. There I will find peace.
Born into the violent confusion of the human race, Rosh is defamed, abused and alone. Is he destined to save us or die trying?
**Releasing Soon!**
Lee James writes stories of hope and redemption. Whether it’s fantasy, mystery or historical fiction, her beautifully awkward characters traverse a dark labyrinth on their journey to a hopeful end.
She is vehement about the importance of creating and preserving the sanctity of the written word. In that vein, she supports literacy programs and her local libraries.
Most importantly, she supports her fellow writers. When not writing, she enjoys photography, watching The Simpsons, and of course, reading.
When Krista Harris’s sixth sense sends her to a hidden cave, she discovers a portal to Underworld that will open only for her.
Alexus, Underworld’s Lord of Fire, awaits her there, eager to show her a land full of sensual delights. He sends Krista’s heart up in flames. The sex is great, but Krista isn’t sure she’s ready to commit to being his mate, no matter how beautiful he and his world might be.
Excerpt
Krista Harris hadn’t bothered to report where she was going to anyone. It was her vacation, after all, but that was still a big no-no. Once they found out she’d gone into a cave without letting anyone know, they’d think she’d suddenly lost her mind. Maybe she had, but something had been compelling her to do exactly that for days now, and she didn’t want anyone following her.
Her coworkers had heard enough about her extra sense. Most flatly didn’t believe her, and the others who had tried understanding were tired of her false alarms. In truth, her feelings failed her sometimes, but this time they’d come to her so forcefully. At first in dreams, and then she occasionally got images while awake. Something or someone was trying to call to her, and the messages had led her to this opening in the rock.
This had to be the right place. She could almost detect a voice in her heart. Distant but male. It whispered almost inaudible words. Come, and what followed might have been to… me.
She was no spelunker, but this forest held several caves. There could be one just on the other side of the entrance. She hadn’t heard of anything of interest here. Tourists flocked to Oldtown Caverns on the other side of town, but nothing indicated past visitors here. Maybe that voice hadn’t called to anyone but her. Even more reason to search for the source.
She eased into the cleft in the rock. She could easily ease back out again if necessary. She had had the good sense to wear a helmet with headlamp and bring a lantern so she could see her way around.
After a yard or two, the passage widened until she’d left it behind. Now standing in more space, she trained the lantern around and toward the ceiling. The light extended quite a distance in all directions. The place had to be very large, indeed.
Now, the sound buzzed in her head, the words she’d thought she’d heard coming through more clearly. Definitely, Come to me.
She’d had psychic experiences before, but none so strong. Her heart pounded. Sensing stuff and hearing voices in her head were two different things. In fact, the latter usually meant you were crazy.
She could return to town and get some professionals to search here. They wouldn’t listen to any sort of fantastic declaration, but people still found caves here from time to time. They would get excited to learn about a new discovery. Especially if it turned out to be spectacular enough to attract tourists.
But that voice was calling to her. It had sent her here, not someone else who could try to take credit for finding this cave. And maybe if she brought other people with her, the voice would go silent. No, she had to follow it.
Come. This time it had direction, so she headed after it.
Another opening appeared, in the rock straight ahead of her. Larger than the first. In fact, it looked like someone had carved a door. A trick of geology? In any case, she was expected to go through it, so she did.
Light greeted her on the other side… a glow emanating from the walls of the new chamber. Some fluorescent insect or moss? Such things did exist. She’d seen it on a nature program, hadn’t she? And the air was warmer than you’d expect. Where had heat come from? Caves, they had here. Volcanoes, no.
But tourists would love this place where you could easily get around and the air was warmed somehow. There also had to be a scientific explanation for the light. But for now, she wouldn’t share it with anyone. This was hers.
No, it wasn’t. It belonged to someone else, and she’d been invited. But yes, it was, too. That made no sense.
Come, Krista.
Shit. Now it knew her name. How in hell could that be true? “Who are you?”
No answer came. Fear coiled in the pit of her stomach, but she wouldn’t go back. If she did, she’d only return until she could learn why she’d been drawn here and whose voice she heard. She had to keep going.
She went deeper into the cave, the light and the warmth never leaving her. Each step drew her closer to whatever waited for her and to the owner of that voice. Eventually, she found herself at the top of a stairway. Torches along the side descended into another chamber below. Her hand on the rock wall beside her for support, she went down slowly.
So, someone had built this and had been around recently to light the torches. It wasn’t her discovery, after all, although few people must know about it. She’d never heard stories about a cavern that had been turned into a fantasy play space. She’d obviously found something cool… whatever it was.
When she got to the bottom, she faced two huge wooden doors. They parted silently, showing what looked for all the world like a royal chamber. A chamber full of fire.
She ran back outside the doors and was preparing to dash back up the steps when the voice called out loudly. “Stop!”
She glanced back inside. The place wasn’t full of fire. The flames rose up on the side walls almost to the ceiling. Self-contained, it didn’t seem to want to spread but rather to frame what went on inside. Still, it was spectacular. And frightening.
“Come in, come in,” the voice ordered.
She went back in and discovered that at the end of a long carpet stood a small dais, complete with a throne. A man rose from it.
“It took you long enough to get here,” he said.
The same voice she’d heard, at first in her head and then leading her through the cave. “That was your voice telling me to come?”
“Commanding you.”
About the Author
USA Today best-selling author Alice Gaines has published several sensuous and erotic works. She prefers stories that stretch the imagination, highlighting the power of love and sex. Alice has a Ph.D. in psychology from U. C. Berkeley and lives in Oakland, California, where she sings in her church choir.
Adrian – I am a vampire whose physical ugliness intensified with my
immortality. For centuries I hunted alone, disguising myself from prey,
preferring illusions to brutal attacks. Others of my kind spurned me. Some
tried to destroy me, and on them I unleashed my wrath. I suffered the agony
of eternal loneliness, and then I met Anna.
Anna – My life was almost unbearable until a tall, black-haired
stranger with fiery eyes and needle sharp teeth drank my blood and swept me
into an unimaginable world. From the night we met, I gave Adrian my heart,
but a lie spun by a jealous enemy drove us apart. I swore I would never give
him the chance to hurt me again, but denying my love for him was harder than
I thought.
Note: Through My Heart is a very short horror romance featuring vampiric
love. It has a spicy heat level, violence, and a HEA. This Romantic Moments
story is the perfect length for a lunch break, before bed, or any time you
want a quick, romantic read.
Excerpt
I found her on the streets of Pompeii just days before the fateful eruption
of Vesuvius. Many centuries earlier, I had been thrust into the life of a
blood drinker, changed on the field of battle.
To this day, I don’t know why the blood drinker changed me. Beauty is
prized among our kind, and I was known as the Brutal Beast—a warrior
with the strength of a dragon and the face of one.
I suppose it doesn’t matter why. It might have been a gift, or a curse, or
perhaps it was just her sense of humor. I can still feel her teeth tearing
into my neck. I can taste her blood, as sweet and thick as wine.
I digress. Where was I?
Ah, yes, Pompeii. I had arrived on my merchant ship from Constanta, and
while my servants unloaded cargo, I sought nourishment in the brothels that
were plentiful in the city. Even then, I caught the scent of death emanating
from the distant mountain. I had planned to stay for a while, but just one
night might be too long. Still, I needed to drink before moving on.
A delicious scent teased my nose. It was musky, sweet, and sad. The aroma
of despair. My gaze riveted to a beautiful woman—hair as black as my
own, dark eyes with flecks of gold that my keen vision detected even from
across the street. She was slim and her skin kissed golden by the sun.
Despite the warmth of the air, she shivered and rubbed her bare arms that
were imprinted with bruises from an earlier customer.
I approached, still wearing a hood—blood drinkers are rarely affected
by warmth or cold, unless it’s extreme. The hood, combined with my powers of
the mind, would create the illusion of handsome looks. I didn’t spin the
dream quite yet, though. Sometimes, I indulged in the self-torture of seeing
how they reacted to me.
She glanced at me when I paused beside her, so close that my shadow
darkened her face.
“Welcome. Would you like to come inside?” she asked in a soft
monotone. Her voice, like her scent, emanated despair. She didn’t even look
surprised by my appearance.
“Very much.”
With a sigh, she turned and led me past a tattered curtain, into the small,
candlelit room where she lived and entertained customers.
She gestured toward the stone bed.
I remained standing and said, “We should talk first.”
Now she raised an arched black eyebrow. “About what?”
I pulled down my hood, completely exposing my pale, bony face that was
covered in scars, most from my mortal life, but some sustained after my
change, during fights with other blood drinkers, ones who couldn’t keep
their mouths shut and their weapons to themselves. My eyes, deep-set and
black as midnight pools, intimidated just about everyone who dared lock
gazes with me.
She swallowed visibly and audibly, but didn’t look away.
“Will you still take me to your bed, my lovely?”
About the Author
Kate Hill is a vegetarian New Englander who loves writing romantic
fantasies. When she’s not working on her books, Kate enjoys reading, working
out, watching horror movies, and researching vampires and Viking history.
She runs the Compelling Beasts Blog that is dedicated to antagonists,
antiheroes, and paranormal creatures. Kate also writes as Saloni
Quinby.
When you’re playing with fire, run for safety … or get burned.
Wyatt McEvoy finds weed, alcohol, and inappropriate reading material in his teenage daughter’s apartment. Not to mention sex toys. Frustrated by her poor judgment, he gives her two choices. Attend a camp for troubled youths or move home for the summer and take a job.
Aiden DiBiase hasn’t the time nor the desire to babysit. His new summer employee is immature, smart-lipped, and defiant. Problem is, she’s the daughter of a personal friend who also happens to be one of his biggest sources of income.
Sophie McEvoy is appalled when her first task is to clean the bathroom, and things only get worse after that. She can’t stand Aiden and his draconian rules. He’s dictatorial, makes her do deplorable things that no respectable person should ever suggest, and looks at her with ice in his gaze. Exasperated, Sophie handles his neanderthal personality the only way she knows how. She’s flippant, defiant, and refuses to comply without a fight.
Kyle Holt’s whole world is Aiden. Their nine-year relationship is committed and unbreakable, and he’ll do anything to keep his partner happy. So when he brings Sophie into the mix by inviting her to their bed for a night of no-strings consensual fun, things get complicated in more ways than one.
Falling into a passionate liaison they can’t forsake no matter the consequences, when Sophie discovers Aiden’s dark secret, will she turn away for good? Or fall deeper?
Be Warned: menage sex (MMF), anal sex, sex toys
Excerpt
“What would make you happy, Sophia?”
“Same as anybody else. Peace. Acceptance. Love.” My eyes warmed as I fought thinking of everything I didn’t want to think or speak of. “Someone who looks at me the way you and Kyle look at each other. And you, Aiden. You and Kyle. That’s what would make me happy.”
Running his lips along the curve of my jaw, he said, “Do yourself a favor and walk away from this. Forget the motherfucking invitation. Before I won’t let you.”
The velvet rasp of his voice turned my core to liquid. Maybe he was right in that I should forget this whole invitation, but no. I couldn’t and wouldn’t. I wanted to lose myself in Aiden’s hypnotic gaze and the soul-grabbing hunger behind it. Wanted Kyle’s lips trailing down my back while making the moaning noises I’d heard before. I wanted harsh words, domineering demands, soft and hard kisses, and every sexual scenario imaginable between two men and a woman.
I wanted the three of us.
“What if I don’t want you to let me?”
He cocked a brow, then lowered his forehead against mine, his breath heated and heavy. His voice gentler, he said, “This was inappropriate, and I’m sorry.”
“Inappropriate for who, dammit? Stop pretending you don’t feel th-this thing between us because I know you do.”
His gorgeous face was a map of confusion, his stare so intense it sent ice up my spine. “I’m not some gentle lover who leaves flowers by the bedside and sweet notes at the door. I’m…”
“You’re dominant, Aiden. And Kyle is submissive. It’s hardly a secret.”
“Kyle is submissive with me, Sophia. With you, he’d be a different man. The two of us would tear you apart. Now, be sensible and forget about this.”
“I don’t want to forget.”
Equal parts pissed and turned on, I stared at him while he stared right back with tension returning to his body and hardness in his jaw. With his brows drawing together in an upsetting scowl, he said, “Wear different clothes and shoes to work. I don’t need you breaking a leg on my clock.” He turned his back to me and sauntered toward the front area where Kyle continued what sounded like a personal call.
“Fine! I get it, okay?” Red, fiery anger ignited in my chest while frustration rolled through me and the words on my tongue wouldn’t stop. “Deep down you know you aren’t man enough to please me. So, go ahead and continue doing what you do best. Walking away, barking orders, and looking at me like you’d rather have your dick chewed off by a rabid dog than to touch me. You may be dominant in the bedroom, but you sure as hell aren’t anywhere else. You’re nothing but a scared, candy-assed coward. Besides, I don’t need dick in my life, not yours anyway.”
Like I’d lit a live wire, he stopped, the muscles in his shoulders straining. He turned to face me, his pupils like round black dots, and that vein in his forehead thick and erect. Anger bled in his expression, the intent in his gaze ice cold.
Don’t walk away.
Don’t ignore me.
Don’t abandon me.
“You know what? You talk too motherfucking much, you couldn’t handle my dick if you tried, and you’re fully aware that I don’t need pussy.” He trudged my direction, scooped me into his arms like I weighed nothing, then said, “But since you’ve been begging me to turn your ass red, guess what, little girl? You win. Goddamnit to hell, you win! I’m going to show you what a candy-assedcoward does when he’s reached his limit. And then, Sophia, we’ll see how you feel when you can’t sit for a week.”
He can’t be serious! I pushed at his chest. “You wouldn’t fucking dare!” As much as I’d read and fantasized about spanking and red rooms of pain, a cold dread of fear lifted up my back.
He released a sigh from deep in his chest, warning me that his patience was wearing thin. “I don’t take kindly to dares.” His voice was a low growl and his fingertips dug into the back of my thighs. “Not only do you run your mouth too much, but you’re rude and spoiled, not to mention disrespectful. You deserve every damn thing you’re about to endure. Before the summer ends, I’ll either work the fucking defiance out of you, or spank it out.”
About the Author
Lacee Hightower lives in Texas where everything is bigger! And better! Writer of heat-filled stories, the sex is smokin’ and the men are strong and alpha.
When she’s not stressing over edits, she can usually be found curled up with a steamy book and a good glass of Pinot.
Chaos envelopes the not-so-innocent lovers who dwell within the decadent BDSM club The Wild Hunt.
The Stag (Wild Hunt 1) The Stag, Kern, is on the prowl. He wants more than a one night stand with his perfect Faunus. If he can only convince his little mate to take a chance on him, and still protect his lover from those who would do him ill…
The Wolf (Wild Hunt 2) As a member of The Wild Hunt, Caille wants nothing more than to rip apart the men who dared steal one brother’s mate and kidnap her other Hunt brother. Nothing and no one will stand in her way… even the curiously attractive new partner The Master of the Hunt has given her.
The Bear (Wild Hunt 3) Arcas, the Bear, refuses to follow his fellow Huntsmen’s example. He immediately claims his mate, Marshal, a descendant of the cat goddess Bastet. Their pairing will be powerful and his mate is courageous, wise, and sexy as hell. Too bad they have to bring down the remnants of a murderous cult and stop a demonic disaster from being let loose on the world. The Hunt is on the move and nothing will stop them from achieving their goals: rescue Kern’s mate and save the world.
Excerptfrom The Stag
“Good evening, denizens of The Wild Hunt,” a deep, smooth feminine voice announced as the club stilled. “If I may direct your attention to the front of the stage, I would like to introduce your hosts for the evening. May I present to you, The Stag…” A spotlight flashed on the high, elevated platform shrouded by sheer black lace that cast intriguing shadows against the blood-red walls behind the people gathered there. The spotlight danced over what appeared to be three figures clustered around a large fainting couch before it settled on a large, muscular figure with the most amazing set of antlers attached to his head. As the stage lights brightened a little, the figure… The Stag… crossed arms over the most exquisite chest that Thomas had ever seen. He could admit it. He drooled a little just looking at what he could see of the man and knew from the spike in arousal from the scents of the bodies around him that he wasn’t the only one.
“The Wolf,” the voice continued, but Thomas could only tear his eyes away from The Stag long enough to take in the shadowed features of a woman with a set of very realistic wolf ears perched on her head, with a gorgeous animatronic tail that waved as she crawled over the fainting couch to lounge at the side of another figure who was beautifully reclined upon the massive thing but still cast in shadows. After noting that there was indeed a wolf being introduced, his eyes went back to the masculine form, still mostly in shadows, with the magnificent rack of horns that he suddenly recognized.
Thomas peered down at his ticket and the black logo embossed on the gold card. There, above the bold black lettering was indeed the set of horns in profile, the very set of horns he was staring at when the announcer spoke again.
“The Bear.”
And yes, that man highlighted by the spots was indeed a huge bear of a man. Taller and broader than The Stag, The Bear, was near the bottom of the couch with crossed arms as well, and his muscles just popped.
“Mercy,” Marshal whimpered, tugging at Thomas’s scarf again. “The things he could do to me.”
“Like break you in half,” Thomas whispered, his eyes going back to The Stag. It was like he couldn’t tear his gaze away.
“And the beautiful, the charismatic, the dangerous owner of this fine establishment, ladies, gentlemen, those undecided, in between, or neutral, may I present to you… Master of The Hunt!”
The spotlights disappeared as the stage lights went up fully and everyone got their first real look at their hosts for the evening.
The Master of the Hunt was shrouded in black silk robes that hid his or her frame. Seriously, this was a case of true androgyny and Thomas would bet what little magic he possessed that it was exactly how the Master wanted it. Their face was covered in a lacy black veil that hid their face entirely. Their hair was a dark, wavy fall that was not contained and allowed to fluff up wild and free, almost as if it had a mind of its own.
The Wolf was now lying at The Master’s hip, her lightly tanned skin a startling contrast to the solid black of the fainting couch and the silk that surrounded The Master. Her light gray wolf’s ears twitched as the painted black fingers of The Master gently stroked over them, and her matching tail thumped once in happiness. Her hair was a blending of perfect blondes that flowed over her shoulder and around a toned body wrapped in bangles and chains of sparkling silver. She glanced over the crowd with disdain and stretched her long, tight frame before settling at The Master’s side, contentment pouring off of her in waves that Thomas could almost feel.
About the Author
Stephanie is a USA Today Best Selling, multi published, multi award-winning author, Master Costumer, handicapped, wife and mother of two.
From sex-shifting, shape-shifting dragons to undersea worlds, sexually confused elemental Fey and homo-erotic mysteries, all the way to pastel-challenged urban sprites, Stephanie has done it all, and hopes to do more.
Stephanie is an orator on her favorite subjects of writing and world-building, a sometime teacher when you feed her enough tea and donuts, an anime nut, a costumer, and a frequent guest of various sci-fi and writing cons where she can be found leading panel discussions or researching varied legends and theories to improve her writing skills.
Stephanie is known for her love of the outrageous, strong female characters, believable worlds, male characters filled with depth, and multi-cultural stories that make the reader sit up and take notice.
New Adult – Literary – Contemporary fiction –
Women’s fiction
Date Published:10-20-2023
Publisher: Mapleton Press
This novel about friendship, nostalgia, and finding oneself is funny and
tender, moving and poetic, while standing firmly in hope and love. The
characters are thinkers, overthinkers really, who are trying to find their
way by asking the deep questions of life with wide-eyed wonder and talking
through life’s uncertainties. They fearlessly confront the choices they’ve
made, examining their desires and their mistakes. The result is a smart,
engaging novel depicting a young woman’s search for the people and place she
will call home.
A RECOMMENDED read by the US Review
Excerpt
The inside of the White Tavern was dark and smelled like stale cigarettes
and grease. A server came over, wearing tight black skinny jeans and an old
Van Halen concert tee.
Dylan turned sideways in the booth to stretch his legs out. “Tell me
about this beer that’s cheaper than gas.”
“Dollar eighty-four,” the server said, which was, in fact,
cheaper than gas.
“Do you have any fries to go with those competitive beer
prices?”
It had been a long time since I’d had my favorite sandwich. Pimiento
cheese. Pickles. Ham. I sunk my teeth into a yummy bite of teenage years and
moaned out loud.
Dylan looked up from his double order of fries and raised an eyebrow.
“Do you and that sandwich need to be alone?”
I ignored his comment. “Was there anything else in that car? Anything
that might indicate a drug deal gone bad?”
“Nope. Just the cooler and the rock.”
“Huh.”
Dylan locked eyes with me. “That rock means something,
Skye.”
The dining area was empty except for us, and one other table near the back
with kitchen staff. Still, Dylan leaned across the table and whispered
urgently, “It’s like that scene in Pulp Fiction with the
briefcase in the diner.”
I furrowed my brow and gagged on a sesame seed. “With Honey
Bunny?”
“And Pumpkin.”
“What?”
Dylan leaned back and shrugged. “The guy’s name was Pumpkin.
Honey Bunny and…”
“I know. I’ve seen it thirteen times. I’m just wondering
why we’re out here in the middle of the desert with you drawing
comparisons of your life to a film that came out when you were seven years
old.”
“You—you, you mock me, Skye, but there’s a
connection.”
“Between a film and that glowing rock?”
“Yes.” He clasped his hands together firmly and laid them on
the table.
“There’s no rock in Pulp Fiction.”
“It’s implied.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Yeah, it is. It’s in the briefcase.”
“We never see what’s in the briefcase.”
Dylan squirmed in an exaggerated way and said, “God, use your
imagination, Skye. It’s a glowing rock.”
“Okay. Say it is a glowing rock. What does that have to do with
us?”
“It’s our time to finally make sense of our lives.”
“That’s what I’ve been doing.”
“No, you haven’t.”
I grabbed the ketchup bottle and whacked the bottom. “How do you
know?”
“Because you’re here. Right back where you started. Look,
don’t get me wrong, I love sitting out in the desert drinking Miller
High Life, listening to the coyotes howl, playing charades in the firelight
with your sister, but I’m glad you’re home.”
“You played charades with my sister?”
“Sure. Isn’t that what you were doing back east? Playing
charades? Sounds like? Feels like? Rhymes with?”
“You saying those six years were nothing more than a
game?”
“We were all playing a game. It’s okay to admit the truth, even
if it’s hard.”
His answer was so simple and earnest, I didn’t know whether to kill
him or cry. I looked down at my plate with a strange mixture of surrender
and hunger. “What do you think I was doing on the East
Coast?”
Dylan inhaled and shrugged, “Trying to escape this place and burn
Trevor out of your mind with hot yoga and gluten-free buns.” He
touched my greasy hand and said, “It’s not a judgment. Look, I
don’t know what you were doing out there. You didn’t exactly
call. But you’re here now, and so am I, and I believe this is some
kind of strange gift.”
“If the rock is so important, why haven’t you moved
it?”
“It’s really heavy. I’m going to have to dig it out.
That’s where you come in.”
Dylan was always a crazy trailblazer adjusting his tinfoil hat, but
he’d leveled up the weird while I was gone.
“I have to go to the bathroom.”
If I stood perfectly still in the stall, I could hear the sound of the end
coming. A sharp chapter break pushing forward. Tracks winding into a new
future. One I couldn’t see, because I was still stuck in the backseat
of my past life. I sat on the toilet and thought about escape. The problem
was I’d been escaping my entire life. Running from everything.
Destiny. Relationships. Myself. I looked down at my jeans bunched up around
my knees. I’d already managed to get stuck in a hole, might as well
grab a shovel and dig.
About the Author
Lis Anna-Langston was raised along the winding current of the Mississippi
River on a steady diet of dog-eared books. She attended a Creative and
Performing Arts School from middle school until graduation and went on to
study Literature at Webster University. Her novels have won the
Parents’ Choice Gold, Moonbeam Book Award, Independent Press Award,
Benjamin Franklin Book Award and NYC Big Book Awards. A three-time Pushcart
award nominee and Finalist in the Brighthorse Book Prize, William Faulkner
Fiction Contest, George Garrett Fiction Prize and Thomas Wolfe Fiction
Award, her work has been published in The Literary Review, Emerson Review,
The Merrimack Review, Emrys Journal, The MacGuffin, Sand Hill Review and
dozens of other literary journals.
Hailed as “an author with a genuine flair for originality” by
Midwest Book Review and “a loveable, engaging, original
voice…” by Publishers Weekly, you can find her in the wilds of
South Carolina plucking stories out of thin air.
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