Category Archives: Guest Authors

Her Dangerous Crush by Megan Slayer #MafiaRomance #ContemporaryRomance @MeganSlayer

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Her Dangerous Crush (Jordan Brothers 6)

Publisher: Changeling Press
Cover Artist: Bryan Keller

 

Danil Jordan never wanted a second chance at love. He had the woman he loved in his arms — until she left him for another man. He embraced the bitterness and displeasure with his brothers because they had the things he wanted — love and passion. Can he change his ways and have the love he deserves? Or will her past tear them apart?

Maura Wylie has deep secrets and believes the only way to run from her problems is to work as a maid in the Jordan mansion. She’s lusted after Danil for years and sees the man behind the pain. Will she be enough for him? Or will her past be more than he can handle?

There’s a chance they can make the passion burn into something permanent. Will they take the chance or walk away before someone gets hurt?

 

Get it TODAY at Changeling Press

or Pre-Order for January 3rd at Retailers

   

 

EXCERPT

All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2019 Megan Slayer

Maura Burke fixed her dress and strode across the room. She’d never intended on being a servant. Her family would die if they knew she’d been reduced to cleaning another family’s house, especially the Jordan family home.

Her brother had hated the Jordan family. But her brother was dead. Kurt Wylie had sworn the Jordans were the scum of Shaker. He didn’t know them, but he’d been pretty quick to jump into bed with Danil’s wife. She knew the family and saw the human side of them. They weren’t as bad as her brother had made them out to be.

She dusted the china propped on the mantle. Her brother would have hated knowing she’d lowered herself to working for a living, but she enjoyed her job. Truth be told, she thrived in the working environment. Plus, she liked the tight uniform and earning her way.

She liked watching the family, too. No one cared who she was — although she guessed Dash knew the truth. He knew everything. Still, they left her alone and didn’t say anything about her half-brother.

She continued to dust as Danil strode into the living room. “Hello,” she said. “Mr. Jordan.”

“Call me Danil.” He stopped in front of the window. “Am I interrupting you? I’m sorry. I stomped in here when you’re cleaning.”

“No, sir.” A thrill shot through her. The job was to be a maid for the family, but she longed to have Danil alone order her around in private, too. She loved the commanding tone of his voice and the passion in his eyes. His wife hadn’t deserved him.

“If I’m in the way, you can tell me to go.” Danil folded his arms and kept his back to her. “How are you today?”

“I’m fine, sir. Thank you for asking.” She held onto the duster with both hands. “How are you today?”

He glanced over his shoulder. “Maura?”

“Sir?” He knew her name. She’d love for him to be her sir in so many ways. She resumed dusting, but memorized the sound of her name on his lips. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked such a personal question.”

“No.” He stepped up to the fireplace and tipped his head to meet her gaze. “I appreciate you asking.”

“Then I’m glad I did.” She smoothed her skirt. “How are you, sir?”

“Danil. Please, call me Danil.” A tiny smile curled on his lips.

“I will. How are you, Danil?” She swept her gaze over him. Strong, tall, lean… everything she liked in a man. His deep voice sent shivers down her spine. He could be tough and demanding, but also tender. Was he tattooed like Dash? She wanted to find out.

“I’m okay,” Danil said. “One day at a time, you know?”

“I do.” She kept distance between them, despite wanting to hug him. His sadness radiated from him.

“How long have you worked here?” Danil asked.

“A year.” Since his wife and her brother had passed away. She’d thought if she worked for them, she could keep an eye on Danil and maybe ease some of his pain — except he hadn’t paid her much attention until now.

“Do you like it?”

“I do.” She’d rather work for him, but she’d crushed on Danil since she was a little girl.

“You’re paid well, I assume?”

“I am. I have my own room in the servants’ quarters, too.” She preferred the simplicity of her life and the lack of expectations other than to do her job.

“Does my brother make you work all the time?”

“Four days a week.” Man, he was full of questions today.

“Are you working tonight?”

“In the laundry. It’s my late shift.” She fiddled with the handle of the duster. “I’m only there until eight.”

“Have dinner with me instead. Forget the laundry,” he said. “Have a night to unwind.”

Besides being a breach of worker-boss etiquette, he’d have a shit fit when he found out she was Wylie’s half-sister. He’d think she was a spy rather than a concerned person.

“Maura.”

She could lose everything if she agreed.

He nodded. “Understood. Forget I asked.” He turned his back on her. “I should’ve realized you’ve got a boyfriend.”

 

More from Megan Slayer at Changeling Press …

Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and white hot themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been nominated at the LRC for Best Author, Best Contemporary, Best Ménage, Best BDSM and Best Anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on various e-tailer sites.

When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice. She’s an active member of the Friends of the Keystone-LaGrange Public library.

 

 

Omega Wolves by Willa Okati #Gay #LGBT #shifters #Mpreg

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Published by Changeling Press
Cover Artist: Bryan Keller

 

For the Alphas of the Wasp Lake wolf pack, there’s no scent on earth quite as alluring as an Omega in heat.

Lost And Found: The Wasp Lake pack forced Matthias out after he dared fall in love with the Packmaster’s Omega son Bree. Now Matthias has returned to claim his mate. Can Matthias convince Bree he’s back in his life for keeps?

Safe and Sound: Zachariah is everything Ivoire needs, and Ivoire and the pup he carries are nothing Zachariah thought he’d ever want again, but nothing good was ever gained from playing by the rules…

Here and There: Alpha Dominic is married to his work. Omega physician Sawney is committed to his patients. They strike a deal. One pup, a friendship, and all parties satisfied. But what happens when the “single parents” realize they’re in love?

Fun and Games: The Fisherman’s Friend looks like just the place for a strong ale and a hot meal. But once Sullivan sets his gaze on Ari, he knows he’s found exactly what he needs.

Tooth and Claw: Lewis knows finding his mate should be a joyous event. But former army ranger Jacobi isn’t an Omega. Or even a wolf. He’s a grizzly bear shifter, and Alpha to the bone. Sometimes true love defies all the rules…

Have and Hold: Former bad-boy Alpha Scott has worked hard to remake himself. As a teenage runaway, Maccabe spent a few years making bad choices before he turned his life around. Neither is ready to be a parent. Neither of them expects to fall in love.

Chapter and Verse: Omega Lane is a lone wolf — until Carey comes across his path, on the run from an Alpha who won’t take no for an answer. Can Lane let Carey into his life? And what if Carey decides he doesn’t want to leave?

 

Get it TODAY at Changeling Press

or pre-order for December 27th at retailers

 

SNEAK PEEK

All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2019 Willa Okati
Excerpt from Lost and Found (Omega Wolves 1)

Not far ahead now. Almost there. Keep going.

Another burst of energy brought Matthias to the edge of a clearing, and when the winds broke momentarily he saw the blessed yellow halo of lights shining through windows of heavy, opaque glass. He shook more snow off his coat and loped toward the steps of the small cabin — only to scrabble to a hasty stop when the Omega wolf he’d been warned of burst through the cabin’s door with his teeth bared in a mighty bark.

Matthias deflected the attack and feinted a bite at the Omega’s neck. Shelter-claim. No fight.

Fight! No shelter, the Omega insisted. You go.

He got in a lucky nip at Matthias’s shoulder and bolted for it when Matthias let go in his surprise. Scrambling on the longest legs Matthias had ever seen on a wolf, it had almost reached the door of the cabin by the time Matthias caught up. One mad leap brought him on top of the wolf, and their momentum carried them indoors.

The Omega turned, snarling.

Enough! Matthias reached deep inside himself for the ability to change his shape, shook off his wolf form, and rose to stand on two feet. He kicked the door shut and secured the latch. The wolf’s scent surrounded him inside, dizzying him briefly.

“I’ll bite you again if I have to, and I promise you won’t like it one bit.” The warmth of the cabin threatened to overcome Matthias. He planted his feet firmly on the split log floor and raised his chin. “Stand up! Who are you?”

The Omega wolf stopped mid-lunge, staring at him. Though they balked, no Omega could resist an Alpha’s command, and when he spoke they had no choice but to cast aside their animal form and stand in man shape. The Omega’s legs were even longer as a human, his body slim, and his face heartbreakingly lovely. His wide blue-gray eyes focused on Matthias in startled shock. “You.”

Matthias’s lips parted in equal surprise. This wasn’t just any wolf, but the man Matthias had loved once and had to leave behind. The Omega he’d come back to the Wasp Lake Pack to find and claim for his own.

“Bree,” Matthias said, his heart leaping. “Bree.”

 

MORE FROM WILLA AT CHANGELING PRESS …

Willa Okati is made of many things: imagination, coffee, stray cat hairs, daydreams, more coffee, kitchen experimentation, a passion for winter weather, a little more coffee, and a lifelong love of storytelling. She is definitely one of the quiet ones you have to watch out for.

 

 

Terran Seduction by Echo Ishii #interracial #futuristic #alienencounters

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Published by Changeling Press

Diana Aventina is a ranking senator serving the Terran Republic. Her lineage is one of power and influence. She’s courted by powerful men for a bloodline match, but hasn’t found anyone suitable. Power means sacrificing everything for a higher cause, even love.

Brennus is a legendary commander picked to lead all the armed forces. On the mysterious wintry world of Sobek he’s discovered a weapon that may change the future of the Terran Republic. His star is on the rise, and he wants a powerful woman like Diana by his side.

But the weapon might not be all it seems. And a new line of Terran soldiers threaten the stability of the Republic. Brennus and Diana can’t fight their desire for each other, but they may lose the Republic in the process.

 

Get it TODAY at Changeling Press

or pre-order for December 27th at retailers

 

SNEAK PEEK

All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2019 Echo Ishii

“How long has it been?” Diana Aventina looked up from her desk toward a young Terran legion soldier. He was a tall, strong young man with a crew cut and two short horns, like all Terran-bred soldiers. A star shaped cybernetic implant was buried deep in his neck.

“Forty minutes, Senator,” the soldier answered.

“We’ll keep waiting,” Diana replied, turning her attentions back to her work. She wasn’t going to show her annoyance. Not yet.

She was here with Governor Kent and his handpicked Red Star fighting unit on the icy cold world of Sobek. The command center was barely more than a converted supply depot. The heating system was rudimentary. Too hot in the living quarters; too cold everywhere else.

The howling winds beat against the outside doors. Her seat was furthest from the door, but still the cold crept in somehow. She shifted in her seat and clasped her hands to warm them. Even with gloves, her fingers still felt the cold.

In front of her, Governor Kent paced back and forth, hands behind his back, his nose reddened by the cold. He sniffled. He stomped his feet as if to get circulation going. Kent mumbled something Diana couldn’t hear, but she had a fair idea that it wasn’t complimentary.

“Commander Brennus better have an excuse for being late,” Governor Kent said.

“Praetor Ambiorix Brennus,” Diana reminded him. “Soon to be Terran Republic Legate.”

Kent lowered his voice. “If he takes the job.”

“He’ll be the official leader of the entire Terran Republic military. I suggest you get on his good side.”

No one expected Sobek to have long-term value. The first mission here a decade ago had ended in disaster. The native Efret wavered between indifference to outsiders to bursts of open hostility. Sobek wasn’t a top priority for anyone at Terran Republic Headquarters. But Ambiorix Brennus was a legend. He had an outstanding war record. He had exclusive access to alien weaponry. Senator Diana Aventina wanted to see him for herself.

Kent stopped his pacing. He leaned down toward her so close she could smell his cologne. She gave Kent a once over. He came from a strong bloodline. He had blue eyes, blonde hair, and good bone structure. The same floor-model attractiveness shared by thousands of others who had the breeding and connections for top quality bodywork. Nothing special really.

He glanced at the young soldier next to them. “This is the future. Hedron. One of my best Red Star soldiers.”

Hedron replied with a blank stare.

“We’ll see about that,” Diana said. She wasn’t as impressed with these Red Stars as Kent was. They just needed to do their jobs.

A loud thudding noise startled everyone into attention. The doors began to creak open, tiny icicles dropping to the floor. The Red Star soldiers assumed formation, sensing the approach of danger.

Two of the soldiers, muscular young males, approached and pulled the doors open. They stood aside and waited.

Nothing.

“What’s going on?” Kent asked, vocalizing what they all thought.

“Quiet,” said Hedron. “Can you hear it?”

Diana listened. There was faint sound of footsteps. She glanced around. She saw something. A sliver. Like one of the silverfish images your eyes make when you grow tired. She blinked. “There’s someone here,” Diana said.

“Impossible,” Kent replied.

As if on cue, a male soldier stepped forward and pulled out his fighting lance. A ghostly image flickered into view. It wrestled away the lance, and threw the young soldier across the room in seconds.

“Full alert,” Kent shouted, backing away. The other soldiers stepped forward with techno lances at the energy. The whir of energy pulsing through the weapons echoed in the room.

Then, she felt it. Body heat. Next to her. The sound of breathing. She felt a firm hand was on her back. She smiled. It was true. They had discovered invisibility cloaks.

The invisible warrior materialized in an instant. First a shimmer, then the fullness of a thick cloak came into view and dropped to the ground. Ambiorix Brennus.

There was a moment of stillness in the room as if the others didn’t know how to speak. As if they were all unable to take him in. He was a legend, even among Legion Commanders.

Brennus was almost seven feet tall with wide shoulders and a powerful stance. His traditional legion armor was enhanced with thick fur pelts. He carried his fighting lance in his right hand and wore his Terran Republic shield bracelet on his left. His hair was long, a rusty red brown with a thick, full beard. It wasn’t standard military cut, but then Sobek was a wintry world. And Ambiorix Brennus set his own standards.

Diana was transfixed by his horns. Strong, thick bull horns, shined to a polish, decorated with carved runes. Whether or not anyone would call Brennus handsome was a matter of taste, but there was no doubt he was magnificent.

“I apologize for my delay,” Brennus said in a deep, rich voice.

 

MORE FROM ECHO AT CHANGELING PRESS …

Echo Ishii loves to write stories of the fantastic — from high fantasy to high tech and everything in between. She is a long time science fiction fan, as well as a fan of all things fantasy and paranormal — classic sci fi movies, shows, and even radio dramas.

Echo on Twitter: @mrsbookmark.
Echo’s Website: https://www.echoishii.com
Echo’s Blog: https://echoishiizone.wordpress.com

 

 

A Shot at Living by Lou Sylvre #BDSM #ContemporaryRomance #LGBT

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Published by Changeling Press
Cover Artist: Bryan Keller

 

Anxious to leave London and its horrors behind, Brian Harrison and Jackie Vasquez move to Los Angeles. Brian hopes working for Luki, managing a small Vasquez Security branch, will leave him more time to live, love, and play with sub Jackie. But Los Angeles awakens old trauma for Jackie, and follows that with a brand new hit.

While Jackie struggles back to health after a crippling accident, Brian strives to find his balance as Jackie’s lover and Dom. Meanwhile, the more Brian defies the order not to investigate the disappearance of the previous branch manager, the deeper and darker the mystery gets.

Can the couple fan the lusty flames still burning between them, rekindle romance, and rise together in time to stand against looming dangers just ahead?

 

Get it TODAY at Changeling Press

or pre-order for December 27th at retailers

 

SNEAK PEEK

All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2019 Lou Sylvre

Oak Flats, Nebraska

It seemed like a hundred years since Jackie had woken up to a Midwest snow day, though in reality he’d watched a blustery snowfall outside this very window in his and Josh’s old room in Kaholo’s house less than a year ago. He’d still been a student at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, and he’d come to visit his great-uncle over the MLK day weekend. He’d gone to bed that night with clouds obscuring a sickle moon, and in that misty light he’d dreamed sweet and sexy dreams of Brian Harrison.

He’d just found Brian again a few weeks earlier, six years after their first meeting — six years after Brian had helped rescue him from a sociopath at a crime lord’s compound in the Umatilla. Back then, Jackie, an already traumatized teen, had instinctively trusted Brian. When they’d met again last year, he still felt that way — intrigued, connected, and totally safe. He imagined at the time that he might have found a friend, a lover, and the Dom of his sub dreams. Hence the hot visions of Brian warming his dreams that wintry night.

Now, a year later, he smiled at the January morning outside his window, watched the frosted branches glitter under a pale sun riding low in a crystal sky, and snuggled back against that very same Brian in the flesh.

Despite calendar proof to the contrary, Jackie felt years older — no doubt because so much had happened in little more than a year’s time. He’d graduated from the University of Nebraska, got together with Brian, and spent four long, frustrating, scary months in London, England. When he’d left the States, he’d known better than to have specific expectations of what London would be like, or the university he’d be attending, or even seeing Brian more and becoming his exclusive lover and sub. But no one could have predicted the horror story those months in England had become.

Some things had been good — specifically the being-Brian’s-lover-and-sub part. Although, truthfully, Brian had been so busy with work that Jackie had spent a lot of frustrated time waiting for him to show or call or answer his phone. He wasn’t quite sure if trying to keep busy and keep his mind off not seeing his boyfriend was part of the reason he’d gotten into such deep, deep shit. But whatever the reason, it had been shit and it certainly did get deep.

Multiple murder deep. Pair of true psychos deep. Jackie’d had to save himself and a friend from them, and he’d pulled it off pretty well. Still, in the end Brian had come to the rescue with exquisite timing.

In the aftermath, Brian had been politely asked to resign his Scotland Yard job, and Jackie had been less than welcome to return to London University — somehow the blame for his psych prof having been a sociopathic murderer had come to rest on Jackie’s own compact, freckled shoulders. He and Brian had decided they would be all too happy to put London behind them. They’d packed up their things, Marley the cat and Soldier the dog, and booked their flights.

“Maybe we’ll come back someday, though,” Brian had said after they’d boarded the plane at Heathrow, U.S. bound. “I’ve lived here more than six years, and up until now, I loved it. If you were with me, I’d love it more.” Jackie would have been willing to talk more about the possibility, but as soon as the plane reached cruising altitude, with its accompanying reduced engine noise and unplugged ears, Brian got horribly, mercilessly airsick. The subject had never come up again, but he supposed it probably would sometime in the next year or two.

Meanwhile here they were, the two of them, still at Kaholo’s house after Christmas and New Year’s. They were enjoying a very long layover on the way to Los Angeles, where Jackie would be continuing to work toward his master’s and then hopefully his doctorate. Brian would soon be working for Luki. He’d been hired to manage the recently abandoned Los Angeles office of Vasquez Security.

Or, make that VSI — Vasquez Security, Incorporated. After recovering from cancer, Luki had taken a giant step back from his close management and daily work with the very successful business and made it a limited corporation, with Jackie, Josh, and Kaholo owning a 29 percent share between them. Luki held on to his own 35 percent while Sonny held 16 percent in his own right, meaning as a married couple they still had a controlling 51 percent of the business. The rest had been divvied up between Josh’s year-old daughter, Jade, a marvelous friend named Margie, and a stock pool for VSI employees. He’d explained to Brian and Jackie that decentralizing had been part of his plan, making branch managers much more independent.

“I guess that means you’re working for yourself, sort of,” Jackie had said to Brian later while they walked a path through the oak trees at dusk, throwing sticks along the way for Bear, Luki’s chow mix, and Soldier, whose white Belgian shepherd coat made him hard to spot in the snow.

“Hah!” Brian smiled and took Jackie’s hand, warming it even through their gloves. “I don’t think there will ever be even a hint of a question about who’s the boss at VSI, to tell the truth.”

Jackie had laughed and teased, “You mean the answer isn’t going to be Brian Harrison?”

Brian had actually snorted at the ridiculous idea. “Hell, Luki’s nickname is ‘Boss.’ I don’t think ‘decentralizing’ went so far as to change that. And besides who would ever want to argue with him?”

But when Jackie spoke to Jude, Luki’s office admin — who also happened to be a very good friend — she snickered.

“He just thinks he’s the boss,” she’d said. “And I let him go on believing.”

 

MORE FROM LOU AT CHANGELING PRESS …

Lou Sylvre loves romance with all its ups and downs, and likes to conjure it into books. The sweethearts on her pages are men who end up loving each other — and usually saving each other from unspeakable danger. It’s all pretty crazy and very, very sexy. As if you’d want to know more, she’ll happily tell you that she is a proudly bisexual woman — a mother, grandmother, lover of languages, and cat-herder — of mixed cultural heritage. She works closely with lead cat and writing assistant, the (male) Queen of Budapest, Boudreau St. Clair. She lives in the rainy part of the Pacific Northwest, and hearing from a reader infallibly brightens the dreary weather. Find her through her links listed here, or drop her a line at lou.sylvre@gmail.com.

 

Dirty Brilliance by Lea Bronsen #billionaire #gay #LGBT #Romance

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Everything can be bought. Except love.

Kace Karrington is a wealthy, self-made investor with no qualms about steamrolling others to achieve his goals. He’s attracted to men, but picks up beautiful women, giving the cold, unfeeling world of Finance the appearance he’s successful…powerful. That is until he meets a smoking hot street punk eager to show him there’s more to life than making money.

#Billionaire #Manlove #Gay #MM #Romance

 

Available from

Books2Read / Amazon.com / Amazon.uk / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iBooks / Smashwords

Put the book on your to-read shelf on Goodreads

See photos that inspired me to write the book on Pinterest

 

Excerpt

And then happens what happens to me once in a long while: he catches my attention. I mean really makes me stop and stare. I’m attracted to men, after all, and some can be surprisingly handsome. This specimen is a lot more so than one would imagine of a drug addict. Strong, symmetrical features and tanned skin make quite the tableau with full lips, an aquiline nose, and dark green, gold-flecked irises framed by thick eyelashes. Even unkempt blond hair and a three-day stubble look sexy on him.

This is the guy who calls himself my sister’s friend? He’s so easy on the eyes, he has to be more than a friend.

He scowls. “Do you always do that?”

“Do what?” I take in the rest of him. He’s my height, but much skinnier. Probably can’t afford to go to a gym and do weights three times a week like I do.

“Refuse to shake someone’s hand,” he replies, tone offended. His voice sounds light but mature. Warm, comfortable to the ear. “While your sister’s in there…fighting for her life.” Tears form in his eyes. So, their redness was due to him crying.

“Sorry, it’s the nerves.” I give him my hand.

“Yeah.” He accepts to shake it, but his wet glare tells me he’s not convinced.

Me? I’m so taken aback by his good looks and intense presence, I almost forget why I came out of the room.

Oh yeah. Coffee.

 

About the author

Lea Bronsen likes her reads hot, fast, and edgy, and strives to give her own stories the same intensity. After a deep dive on the unforgiving world of gangsters with her debut novel Wild Hearted, she divides her writing time between romantic suspenses, dark erotic romances, and crime thrillers.

Meet Lea Bronsen on

Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / BookBub / Instagram / Goodreads / Amazon

 

The Naughty List by Cameron Allie #BDSM #HolidayRomance #Contemporary #preorder

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The Naughty List

Series: Naughty or Nice (Book One)

Genre Information: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Holiday, BDSM

Length: 40,000 Words

ABOUT THE BOOK

Can Kylie be naughty enough to get on Santa’s list this Christmas?

When Kylie confesses that she’s never enjoyed sex, she didn’t expect her friend to suggest joining her at a BDSM club. Every December, the club’s Santa picks one woman from his naughty list to take home for a night of uninhibited, wild sex. The catch? She has to prove she can be naughty enough to please him.

Already nervous, the last thing Kylie anticipated when she walked into the club, was that she’d recognize Santa. She certainly hadn’t expected the holiday Dom to be her brother’s, nicer than nice, best friend.

SNEAK PEEK

“Can I tell you something that’s a little embarrassing for me?” Kylie sat on her friend’s sofa, sipping hot cocoa while watching Love Actually. In the next room, the freshly decorated Christmas tree was twinkling brightly.

Kylie had met Hannah at work a few months ago, and they’d instantly hit it off. They were both single, both thirty years old, both personal trainers, and both on their second career after failing to enjoy what they’d originally set out to do.

Hannah had gone to college to become a social worker, but she had underestimated the emotional drain that came with such a demanding job. She’d burned out very quickly. Kylie had become a daycare teacher but had quickly become frustrated with the broken system and had quit after her first year.

As the holidays drew closer, Hannah had invited Kylie over to trim the tree and partake in some traditional holiday merriment. With the tree finished, a batch of gingerbread in the oven, and their bellies full from hot chocolate, they were both pretty tuckered out, and yet tomorrow they had plans to go shopping.

“Of course.” Hannah glanced over but turned back to the screen.

Kylie thought Hannah’s divided attention might make her confession easier to deliver. “I’ve never enjoyed sex.”

“What?” Turning so fast she nearly spilled her mug, Hannah grabbed the remote, paused the film, and set down her cup. “What do you mean, you’ve never enjoyed sex?”

Kylie shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s always been just okay. Like I could take or leave it. It’s something I should do because, well, that’s what you do in a relationship, right?”

Hannah frowned. Clearly she didn’t understand.

Disappointed, Kylie wanted to disappear into the couch. She wished she hadn’t said anything.

“Maybe you haven’t been with the right guy?” Hannah suggested.

“I’ve been with my fair share of men. None of them seem to do it for me.” She didn’t consider herself a floozy, but after a long-term relationship, a few shorter ones, and a couple of one-night stands, she knew sex was just a big disappointment for her.

“Maybe you’re just not into sex. Some people aren’t. Maybe you’re asexual. Do you have sex with yourself?”

Kylie blushed. She really shouldn’t have started this conversation.

When she didn’t answer, Hannah brazenly went on, “Like, do you own any toys or touch yourself? Stuff like that?”

“I shouldn’t have brought it up.” Kylie went to pick up the remote to un-pause the film, but Hannah snatched it from her.

“No. This is important.” Hannah switched the TV off. “You know I won’t judge you, right? You can tell me anything.”

Kylie wasn’t sure. Their friendship was so new, but they’d bonded very fast. Kylie felt closer to Hannah than she did to any of her friends from high school. At times she even felt closer with her than she felt to her own sister.

“How about I tell you something first? Something I don’t normally share. Will that help?”

Kylie stretched forward and set her mug down on the coffee table. “Look, Hannah, I don’t want to push you—”

“I visit a BDSM club,” Hannah announced. “You know what that is?”

With wide eyes, Kylie nodded.

“I visit a BDSM club, and recently I’ve been holding the attention of two Doms. Do you understand?”

“Sort of.”

“Sometimes, I have sex with both of them. They tell me what to do, and I do it. No questions asked.”

Kylie’s heart started to race. Maybe she could open up to Hannah. Her lifestyle brushed up against the things Kylie had often fantasized about trying but had never acted on. Two Doms though, that wasn’t for her. She just wanted one good sexual experience. Was that too much to ask for, for Christmas?

“So, that’s my little secret. How about you? Do you have sex with yourself?” Hannah circled back to her original question, leaving Kylie with a million questions she wanted to ask, but didn’t yet dare to.

Bravely, she replied, “Yes.”

“So you think you would enjoy sex? You know, with the right partner?”

She nodded.

“Are you gay?”

Kylie shook her head. “No! Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I’m just not.”

“Okay. So maybe it’s the guys you’ve been seeing. What are they like?”

They’d all been jerks. Well, not all of them, but most. “They’re either really boring or selfish assholes in bed.”

Hannah pursed her lips.

As she thought about it, Kylie wrung her hands. “Can you tell me more about the BDSM club?”

Slowly, a grin came over Hannah’s mouth. “Got a little fantasy tucked away in there?”

Kylie felt her face go red again. “Maybe.”

“So the club I go to is kind of like a night club. There’s a bar, some dancing, a main stage for exhibitionists, but there are also private rooms. There’s a dungeon master to ensure everything is safe and consensual. And when it comes to alcohol, there are strict rules, particularly for those engaging in active play.”

“But what goes on there?” Kylie didn’t want to be nosy, but she was curious. She wondered what active play was.

“Some people go to hook up or act out a scene. Some go to meet new people or show off their subs. There’s all types of fetishes going on, though admittedly, this club isn’t as hardcore as others I’ve been to. This one is a little more vanilla, but it’s not uncommon to see a good whipping or paddling. What are you into?”

Kylie bit her lip as she considered telling Hannah. “I’ve read all the books.”

Hannah rolled her eyes. “You mean like that Grey book?”

Clearly, that wasn’t impressive. Everyone and their mother—hell, their grandmother—had read about Christian Grey.

Kylie gave her a little more. “I’ve read Tiffany Reisz, Anne Rice, Sierra Cartwright, Joey W. Hill, Angela Knight, and Angel Payne. To name a few.”

“Okay. There’s something there to work with.”

Briefly closing her eyes, Kylie fessed up. “I’ve watched a lot of videos, too.” Her blush deepened as she glanced at her friend. “And I’ve joined a couple of online chats, but nothing ever face-to-face or via video. Only messaging.”

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Book Blitz: Emma & Jesse (Bossy Brides Christmas) #RomanticComedy #ContemporaryRomance

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Bossy Bride: Emma & Jesse
J.A. Huss
(Bossy Brothers, #4)
Publication date: December 18th 2019
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance

Bossy Bride features Jesse and Emma getting almost-hitched on a roller coaster, tricked into being the stars of a pirate show, jumping out of an airplane, and saying their vows in front of two huge Italian families who don’t speak English. It’s a rompy, whirlwind trip down a rabbit hole of “Fantasy” Vegas weddings planned by a man called “Fingers” and just when you think nothing else could go wrong—a mermaid descends from the ceiling.

Jesse Boston is the man of my dreams. He’s super sexy, super rich, and super funny. He gets all my jokes, he treats me like a princess, and our love life is smokin’ hot.

So I’m gonna marry him. I’m not real picky about how that happens and if my mother wants to have her say, fine. That’s fine. She gave birth to three boys and just one girl. So I get it. She NEEDS a wedding.

But when she invites my childhood nemesis, KAREN, to plan our wedding AND be one of my bride’s maids? Uh—no. It’s not happening. Karen Krakken-Channing will not plan my wedding, will not be at my wedding, and she’s certainly not going to be IN my wedding.

Luckily, my jet-butler, Miles, and my almost-husband get this great idea!

We’re going to elope to Vegas on Christmas Eve eve, get hitched in the most ridiculous way possible, and then fly home in time for Christmas Eve dinner.

We’ve got it all figured out.

Nothing can go wrong.

We will have one simple wedding in like… a drive-through chapel, and call it good.

Take that, KAREN!

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Bookbub

—

EXCERPT:

My bride is sexy hot.

And no, the man whose arm she’s holding onto as she walks isn’t her father. And none of these people here are our people—but in this moment I do not care.

Emma.

Emma is the only thing on my mind.

I want this woman by my side right now. I want her next to me for the rest of my life. I want her in sickness and in health. I’ll take all the bad with the good. I want to love and cherish her so hard, she will forget the thirteen years we spent apart and only think of the ones we spent together.

Her veil only covers her eyes. It’s a very tasteful, very understated veil. But the best thing about that veil is that as I watch her walk towards me—as I see her suddenly realize that this is it, we really are gonna make it all the way through this ceremony—I catch her checking me out. I catch her eyes wandering down my body, then back up to meet my gaze again.

She smiles and bites her lip.

And man, that little lip-biting thing? Yeah. I’m gonna picture that every time I make love to her for the rest of my life.

My stomach flips with excitement once they reach the steps and all I want to do is rush down those steps and pull her into my arms.

But I wait.

I force myself to stand still and wait as her fake father pauses to look lovingly at her—nice touch, fake father-in-law—and then she ascends towards me.

Emma’s eyes find mine as she slowly approaches the altar. And then she shrugs up her shoulders as if a tingle went up her body.

God, I love her. I love her so much. And even though I still have regrets about missing out on all those years when we were apart, I know—I just feel it in my heart—that this is just the beginning for us. We have so much to look forward to. And pretty soon none of those missing years will matter anymore. We’ll be too busy making new memories to even think about the ones we never had.

When they reach the top her fake father stops just a step away from me, turns to Emma, and lifts her small veil up and says something low and soft in Italian.

Emma nods her head at him and murmurs, “Thank you.”

Then she turns to me. I reach for her and she takes my hand, stepping forward to stand next to me as we both face each other in front of this chapel filled with people.

It’s only then that we realize… the priest is speaking in Italian.

Both of us giggle. Fuck it, right?

What did we really expect? And surely, this day could not get any weirder.

We hold hands as he speaks, probably saying all the usual things. Marriage is serious. Marriage is a lifelong commitment. Marriage is sacred.

Yes. I agree to all those things.

I hold Emma’s hands in mine as the ceremony proceeds. And I even hear a sniffle or two from our audience. Nice touch, Fingers. Nice touch.

And even though everything here started out fake, suddenly everything feels very, very real.

I am marrying this woman.

The priest pauses, and when we look at him we realize we’re up.

We didn’t discuss this. We have no vows! And even though everyone else is working off a script, we’re just winging it.

Emma looks a little frightened. Her eyes are wide and her pouty lips are making a perfect, round, o shape.

I squeeze her hand. “I got you, babe.” Then I clear my throat and begin.

“Emma Dumas. I first met you thirteen years ago. We were young, and one of us was very stupid.” She smiles wide and sucks in a breath of air. “Me,” I say, looking out at the crowd. And hey, they get it. Because they chuckle a little at my joke. “But I don’t think I ever told you how you grabbed my attention that day. I saw you from across Mallory Square. You were wearing little Daisy Duke cut-offs and a white tank top. And, of course, those now infamous pigtails.”

She squeezes my hands as she shakes her head and looks down for a moment. But she quickly raises her eyes back up to meet mine. Like she refuses to miss a single moment of our big minute.

“And Emma, I thought to myself… ‘Jesse Boston—’” A slight murmur from the crowd makes me pause for a moment. I guess they didn’t know who I was and now they do. Jesse Boston is the same no matter what language you say it in. “I said, ‘Jesse Boston, how in the heck have you been on this island for a week and are just now seeing this girl?’ You see,” I say to the crowd, “I missed her. And I hated that. I really hated that. Because up until that moment when I first saw this vision of a girl, I was doing nothing. I was nothing. I was wasting time, and taking up space, and couldn’t even begin to imagine what the next thirteen minutes would bring, let alone the next thirteen years. So I took my chance.” I turn back to Emma. “I went up to your shaved ice stand and asked you out. It was probably not my best pick-up. But Emma, I just want you to know… it was my most honest one.”

She lowers her eyes again. And when they rise up to meet mine just a moment later, I see the shine of a tear in them.

“It was… honest. Every moment with you that night was honest. And when we reconnected thirteen years later, every moment that came after was honest too. You not only make me want to be a better man, I am a better man with you by my side.” I bring her hand up to my lips and I gently kiss her fingers. “Thank you. Thank you for seeing the better me. Thank you for buying me from a bachelor auction with grand delusions of revenge. Thank you for the one-up dream date. Thank you for sharing your family with me. Thank you for being my knight in shining armor… just…” I shake my head. “Babe? I can’t do this without you.”

She inhales deeply, lets go of one of my hands to swipe a tear off her cheek, and then says, “Jesse Boston. You were my fantasy man when we first met. You were the man who made all the promises. You were a boy so golden I could barely stand to look at you.”

I sigh. Because I didn’t feel good enough for her back then. I was so afraid she’d see through me. So afraid she’d realize what a fraud I was. So afraid that she’d figure me out and sneak away, thankful that she dodged a bullet with a boy called Jesse.

“And when you disappeared, I was lost. I was someone else when you left. Some other girl who no longer understood her place in this world. And for the next thirteen years I would think about you at least once a day. I would think… what could we have been? What life would we have lived if we had stayed together from the start? If we had never gone out and did our thing, by ourselves, on our own?” She squeezes my hands. “And you know what?”

“What?” I whisper, dying to know what she thinks about this.

“We might’ve been that couple.”

I laugh a little. That couple.

“We might have been that couple you described on our second-chance first date last summer. The one who fights hard, and lives fast, and loves each other ferociously.”

“Love is a battlefield, babe. And we’re both just generals.”

 

Author Bio:

JA Huss is the New York Times Bestselling author of 321 and has been on the USA Today Bestseller’s list 21 times in the past five years. She writes characters with heart, plots with twists, and perfect endings.

Her new sexy sci-fi romance and paranormal romance pen name is KC Cross and she writes novels and teleplays collaboratively with actor and screenwriter, Johnathan McClain.

Her books have sold millions of copies all over the world, the audio version of her semi-autobiographical book, Eighteen, was nominated for a Voice Arts Award and an Audie Award in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Her audiobook, Mr. Perfect, was nominated for a Voice Arts Award in 2017. Her audiobook, Taking Turns, was nominated for an Audie Award in 2018. Five of her book were optioned for a TV series by MGM television in 2018. And her book, Total Exposure, was nominated for a RITA Award in 2019.

She lives on a ranch in Central Colorado with her family.

Website / Facebook Page / Facebook Group / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub / Amazon / KC Cross New Release Alert / JA Huss New Release Alert

 

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My Dragon, My Dom by Dulce Dennison #GayRomance #LGBT #shifters #paranormalromance #holidayromance #Christmasromance

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Published by Changeling Press
Cover Artist: Angela Knight

 

Officer Corbin Richters has gone through more partners than he can count. They all claim he’s difficult to work with, but he knows better. They’re scared being gay might be something they can catch. Idiots. When he’s assigned yet another partner, his inner dragon perks up and takes notice. Josh is different from anyone he’s ever met. Unfortunately, he’s also human.

When the two are tasked with getting Christmas trees for families in need, they never count on growing close. The more time Corbin spends with Josh, the more certain he becomes the man is his mate.

*NOTE: This is a re-release that has been freshly edited and has a new cover.

 

Get it TODAY at Changeling Press

or pre-order for December 20th at retailers

   

 

SNEAK PEEK

All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2019 Dulce Dennison

Corbin Richters watched the sexy-as-hell man walking through the door of the precinct, his blue uniform fitted snugly to his shoulders and chest, silver badge gleaming under the fluorescent lights, his stride powerful and purposeful as he approached Captain Meeker. The dark hair on his head stood out in disarray but it was artfully done, the waves beckoning to be touched in an intimate caress. His eyes looked green from this distance, and they took everything in with a swift assessment that said he was ready for whatever danger that might be lurking within the precinct walls. Whoever he was, he wasn’t a rookie. No one got that hard-edged look, the look of a predator, the first day on the job.

Corbin’s heart kicked in his chest and his hands clenched on top of the desk. What he wouldn’t give to peel away that uniform and see what lay beneath the crisp, blue material. He unconsciously licked his lips as he thought about trailing kisses along those broad shoulders. Corbin’s skin heated and his cock twitched in his pants. He felt his scales ripple under his skin and fought for control. Hell, here he was fantasizing over the man, and he wasn’t even sure if the cop was into men or women. Or both. It had been a long time since he’d had such a reaction to someone on first sight, and he wanted to explore the feelings a bit more.

“Damn.” He sneaked a quick glance around. Had he said that out loud?

Corbin watched as the officer shook hands with the captain and then as Captain Meeker pointed at Corbin. Why on earth was the captain sending Mr. Sexy his way? Not that he was going to complain! Still, he had to admit to being curious. What did the man’s voice sound like? Would he offer to shake hands? Would that small contact arouse Corbin’s dragon even more? The beast was already more than a little intrigued.

The object of his desire strode across the room with panther-like grace, his movements fluid and beautiful, and stopped at the edge of Corbin’s desk. The officer flashed him a smile, one that had his dragon — lusty beast — perking up considerably, and held out his hand.

Corbin stood and shook it, an electrical current shooting up his arm, swirling down through his chest, and settling in his balls, making them draw up tight. His cock gave another jerk, but if the officer noticed — and something told Corbin that he had — he wasn’t commenting on it. Corbin had thought the man would pack a punch, but it still took him by surprise, this visceral reaction. He couldn’t remember the last time his dragon and he had been in total agreement on their choice of bed partners.

The man’s voice was crisp and clipped as he introduced himself. “Josh Myers.”

“Corbin Richters.” Corbin released Josh’s hand reluctantly before he did something stupid, like jerk him closer for a different sort of embrace. As it was, he wanted to bury his nose against the man’s neck and inhale that incredible scent that was teasing him.

“It seems I’m your new partner,” Josh said.

Partner? Corbin shot the captain a look. No one had said anything about a new partner. Corbin had only been part of the Blueberry Hill Police Department for a little over a month, having been lucky enough to land the job within a week of hitting town. And yet he’d already gone through two partners. The men had claimed Corbin was too rough and rude, but he knew the truth. They didn’t care that he was black. They hadn’t wanted to work with a gay officer. Probably afraid it would rub off on them or some stupid shit like that.

“I take it this is news to you,” Josh said, that gorgeous smile flirting around his lips again. Lips that looked full and soft, the kind of lips a man could kiss forever.

Corbin cleared his throat, hoping to get better control of himself. “Yeah, I hadn’t heard that I was getting a new partner today.” He met Josh’s gaze. “But I’m glad you’re here.” Too direct?

Josh’s smile broadened and there was something in his eyes, a warmth that told Corbin his advances might be welcome. He supposed time would tell. It was possible the guy was just being friendly and he was reading into things.

Corbin pointed to the desk butting up to his. “That will be your space. There should be some supplies in the drawer, but if not, we can ask the receptionist on our way out.”

“Hitting the streets early?”

“I thought we’d swing by Espress Yourself and grab some coffee. There’s no charge to officers for a regular brewed cup, and they usually have a few different flavors going. You have to pay for those fancy drinks though.”

Josh smiled again. “Sounds good. I can check out the desk when we get back.”

“The black SUV near the back is ours.”

Josh scanned him from head to toe. “I’m guessing your size has something to do with us getting the biggest vehicle. What are you? Six foot four?”

Corbin grinned. “Six-six.” Not that Josh was short. He had to be at least six-two.
They strolled out of the rear precinct door and headed to the SUV. Corbin popped the locks with the key fob and slid in.

“So…” Josh glanced his way as he snapped his seatbelt into place. “Your place or mine?”

 

MORE FROM DULCE AT CHANGELING PRESS …

With an overactive imagination and a penchant for making up stories, was it any wonder Dulce Dennison decided to be an author? From cowboys to shapeshifters, she has a story for them all, but her passion lies in writing m/m romances. Dulce believes in love in all shapes and sizes, and that everyone deserves a happily-ever-after.

Dulce Dennison is a pen name for erotic romance author Harley Wylde and award-winning science fiction/paranormal romance author Jessica Coulter Smith.

 

 

Cuckold’s for Christmas by Stephanie Burke #Christmas #holidayromance #newrelease #interraciallove

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Published by Changeling Press
Cover Artist: Bryan Keller

 

After having her heart broken by a cheating ex, wealthy and disabled divorcee Emma-Jean Lawson twists her misfortune into an empowering statement… by opening up an all-male strip club named Cuckold’s. Now all she has to do is find her star dancer.

Noel Winters has a big wet problem. The once Principal Dancer for the Paris Ballet has turned to teaching his beloved dance to others after a career ending injury, but now a busted water heater, just in time for Christmas, has him seeking other means of income to keep his business afloat. An ad from Cuckold’s catches his attention. It can’t be that hard being an exotic dancer, can it?

When Emma and Noel meet, there’s an instant attraction, but is sex alone enough to hold a relationship steady? And where did the guys with guns come from? Suddenly their happily ever after is looking grim, but with two of the most magical allies helping along the way, maybe they will pull it together in time to have a happy holiday after all.

 

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or pre-order at retailers for December 20th

   

 

For a NSFW SNEAK PEEK visit Changeling Press

 

MORE FROM STEPHANIE AT CHANGELING PRESS …

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.

 

 

Mazes & Mistletoe by Ayla Ruse #holidayromance #paranormalromance #newrelease

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Published by Changeling Press
Cover Artist: Bryan Keller

 

Trevor runs the Puzzle and Games Workshop of the North Pole. Most think him quiet and ordinary, but no one knows about his fierce desire for the sexy owner of the day care center — not even the owner herself. If only he could get up the nerve to go meet her…

Missy, owner of The Little Care day care, harbors the biggest crush on the cute Elf from the Puzzle Workshop across the way. As much as she’d love to march over there and see what happens between them, she won’t, because she knows the results of her magic will be worse than unrequited lust.

When an encounter in a Christmas Maze brings them together, Missy and Trevor discover magic is tangible, mazes aren’t for the shy and awkward, and true love might be found under the mistletoe.

 

Get it TODAY at Changeling Press

or pre-order for December 20th at retailers

   

 

SNEAK PEEK

All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2019 Ayla Ruse

“The maze is going great, Trevor. Everyone who comes out is laughing and wanting to do it again. I’ve even heard a few say it’s the best attraction at this year’s Winter Fair.”

“That’s good to hear, Lulu. I think next year we’ll take Tommy’s suggestion and add a photo booth at the end.”

“That would be the best,” Lulu heartily agreed. “Or have mini photo opportunities at each dead end. I’m sure there’s some funny things that happen there, too.”

Trevor mused over this for a moment. “You have a point. Then at the end, the participants can decide which, if any, photos they’d want.” He started planning, speaking quickly and quietly as he became lost in thought. “I’d have to get in touch with the Electronics department, and we’d have to hire more help for the maze, but then we’d have extra profit from any pictures that’d be purchased and –”

His plans were cut off by Lulu’s loud shout. “Hey, Miss! You can’t go in there without purchasing a ticket!”

Trevor turned just in time to see an Elf shoot off into the Dead End Maze like her skirts were on fire.

“Damn it,” Lulu fussed. “Tommy won’t be back from break for another fifteen minutes. I hate to ask this of you, Trevor, but could you man the booth and let me run that freeloader down?”

Him be in charge of the booth? No way. The less he had to interact with groups of people he didn’t know, the better. Tracking down one lone female Elf would definitely be the safer choice.

“How about I go in after her? You’re faster with the whole ticket stuff, and I did design the maze, so I’ll be able to get around in there quicker.”

“Would you? That’d be great. Thanks! I’ll call in to the end of the maze to let those guys know what to expect if you don’t show up with her.”

“Sounds good. And I can call them too if any problems arise.”

He’d not been in the spacious maze for even a minute when he ran across the mysterious Elf. She’d found herself caught in one of the famous dead ends and probably couldn’t figure out how to get out. Of course, if she’d stopped at the booth, Lulu would have explained the rules.

A thin, frosted wall separated her from and him and kept her in the dead end zone. He sighed and made his way down the ice-walled corridor to rescue her. But when she turned around and her eyes settled on him with a grateful look of one who believes help has arrived, he stopped in his tracks.

It was her. It was that gorgeous little curly-headed blonde Elf that ran the day care across the field from his office. Every day, at ten, one and three on the dot, he stopped work to stare out his narrow floor-to-ceiling window to catch sight of her. He couldn’t remember her name, knew she ran the center only because he’d overheard one of his co-workers mention it in a conversation he’d overheard, but she was his. Well, his fantasy at any rate. He couldn’t stop the inward grin. And she was stuck in his maze.

He finally stepped closer when she waved her arms, like she was trying to get his attention. Little did she know she had his undivided attention. He approached and hit the hidden release button on the side of the wall. The thin, frosted barrier opened, and he swallowed, but couldn’t speak. She was more beautiful up close than he’d ever imagined. Angel-blonde hair cascaded around her face and shoulders in a wild array of curls. She had tiny, narrow ears that peeked out from her curls just enough to tease him with wanting to touch, to caress. A light dusting of freckles sprinkled across her nose and deep-chocolate eyes stared back at him. She wrung her hands together and looked worried. Maybe she thought, now that she’d been caught, that she’d be in trouble? She nibbled on her perfectly pink bottom lip and he stifled a groan, wanting to be the one to do the nibbling.

He tried to say “hi,” but it came out broken. He cleared his throat and tried again. “Um, hi. I’m Trevor. You ran into the Maze without a ticket.”

“I know. I’m sorry. Maybe you could help me? I’ll pay for the tickets when we get out if that’d be okay? You see, my name is Missy, and I run the Little Care Day Care off Ice Cap Street. Today is field trip day, and I’m afraid one of my charges took off. I saw him heading this direction, and this Maze is the only attraction in this part of the Fair. I kept everyone away from this area because I don’t like this kind of stuff, but I guess he knew about it? Could you help me find him?”

Her plea, combined with her softly wringing hands and full, doe-like eyes, melted him on the spot. He nodded silently, knowing he’d do anything for this female.

“Oh, thank you,” she gushed, laying a hand on his arm for a brief moment. He stuffed his hands in his pocket; he’d felt deliciously singed from her touch. She rushed on, “His name is Zack, and he’s not usually a naughty Elf, but maybe since his parents just had a baby girl, he’s feeling left out? I don’t know. I might have to talk to Taryn and find out… Oh, I’m sorry, sometimes I tend to carry on. Anyway, I don’t think he’d do anything bad, but he might put a few holes in the walls?”

“Holes? A little Elf can do that?”

She pointed to the wall to his right, and sure enough, a small hole was in the wall. It couldn’t be bigger than a hole an artic hare would dart through and was hardly noticeable. “How…”

“Well, he is half demon and he tends to have hot hands from time to time. His father is teaching him to control it, but,” here she looked around at the dead end they were in, “in a place like this…” She shook her head and a worried frown creased her brow. “I’ll pay for the damages, I promise. Could you please just help me locate him?”

Trevor wanted to pull her into his arms and tell her he’d take care of everything but bucked up and reminded himself to be practical. He shouldn’t touch her — yet. “I’ll help you find him. It won’t be a problem. In fact, let me call the Elves at the end of the Maze so they can keep a look out for him, too.”

“Would you? I really appreciate it.”

Trevor tapped his watch and called Lulu. She confirmed that she hadn’t seen any little Elves enter. Then he called the exit team, only to hear that yes, a little one had emerged and, since he was without an adult, they were keeping him occupied with hot chocolate and peppermint drops and would watch over him until they came out. When Missy heard this, she sighed audibly.

“Thank you! Now, can you show me the way out? I’ll gather Zack and go back around front to pay for both tickets.”

Trevor might be a quiet one when it came to strangers, but he wasn’t a fool. The entire time they’d been talking, he knew he had the Elf of his dreams, trapped, so to speak, and at his will, in this maze of his own design. He’d never forgive himself if he let her simply walk away. He did know how to take advantage of unexpected opportunities.

 

MORE FROM AYLA AT CHANGELING PRESS …

Handed a historical romance at the age of twelve, Ayla Ruse fell in love with love and with happy endings. Having grown up living life tasting a little of this and a little of that has not changed this attitude, but it’s expanded her views. Love isn’t always happy and it isn’t always the way a person “thinks it should be.” Sometimes it’s outside the box, and it’s always a challenge.

The challenge of finding and holding onto this love is what drives Ayla in her fiction. She likes stories that strip love — among other things — down to the skin and tests the attachment and beliefs of the participants. Sometimes that test can come in the form of multiple partners, overcoming a desperate fear or even being sexually inventive.