Category Archives: Writing

— from Serenity’s Wish, Tales of Moonspell #3

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JCS_Moonspell3_ReneeAvailable April 26 2013

Julian studied her in the candlelight. The soft glow caressed her face, making her even more beautiful. Her long, thick hair hung in curls to her waist. While some might call her heavy, he loved her lush curves. Just the thought of having her in his arms was enough to make him hard. He’d wanted her from the first moment he’d laid eyes on her.

When she’d first been brought to the mansion, he’d worried about his reaction to her. It was obvious Aiden had returned with Serenity instead of Daniela, and he’d wondered what that meant. If Serenity was meant for Aiden, then Julian knew he’d never have a chance with the little goddess. But he’d waited and watched and after several days he’d noticed that Aiden hadn’t once sent for Serenity, hadn’t ventured anywhere near her rooms. When Aiden had begun taking women from the harem again, Julian knew the man felt nothing for Serenity.

He’d bided his time, wanting to take things slowly, give her a chance to get to know him, adjust to his presence in her life. He knew that living amongst vampires couldn’t be easy for her. But she’d thrown him for a loop today. When he’d seen her on the floor grabbing her chest, fear had nearly consumed him. He’d realized in that moment that he didn’t want to lose her — ever. And then she’d told him she didn’t want to be a vampire, that she wouldn’t let him change her. Well, he’d just have to change her mind about that.

He watched as she ate her dinner, taking dainty bites of everything, slowly sipping her wine. She was the loveliest thing he’d ever seen, and he’d lived for over a hundred years. It wasn’t like he’d never had women before. In fact, before Serenity had come to the mansion, he’d visited the harem on a regular basis, but once he’d seen her that had changed. A few of his friends had commented on his “strange behavior,” but he waved away their concerns. If he told them he’d fallen in love with the woman before him, they’d never let him hear the end of it. Humans were for food, not for love. But then, he didn’t plan on her being human much longer. He had a few weeks to make her realize that she belonged with him; he just wasn’t sure what it would take.

 

from Between Two Wolves

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— A discussion between Brandt and Falan (Between Two Wolves) —

“The moment I saw you across the club last night I knew I wanted to dance with you. There was something about you that called to me; I just didn’t know what it was. And once I found out you were my mate, you owned me completely. There will never be a woman out there who could ever compare to you.”

He saw the sheen of tears in her eyes as he caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. “Do you not realize how precious you are to us?” He lowered his head and kissed her gently. “You mean everything to us, baby.”

“Make love to me. Both of you. I want you to show me what I’ve been missing.”

 

Between Two Wolves

Available at Changeling Press and Amazon

An Interview With Robins from Black Cat

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KateHillBlackCat

Robins, the mysterious butler who works at the Chancellor mansion, appears briefly throughout the Whisper series. Although he keeps a low profile, like most in his line of work, he knows many secrets. He also has some recommendations for tourists visiting Whisper.

It’s Robins’ evening off, but he’s happy to answer a few questions about the unusual town where he resides.

1. The town of Whisper is home to a wide variety of magical beings. What is your species?

Robins: I’m half-Ghoul and half-Troll. I don’t look all that different from humans, but my eating habits are quite dissimilar.

2. What do you like best about living in Whisper?

Robins: I like the acceptance and I like being judged by who I am instead of who others think I am.

3. What places of interest in Whisper do you recommend to tourists?

Robins: I’ve always enjoyed spending free time at the Whispering Wolf Library. They often have interesting art exhibits and have a fascinating collection of occult books and volumes on the history of Whisper. To read these, you must have special clearance, however. Most residents have access to the collection.

While I’m not into the club scene, I have occasionally stopped at Dragon’s Bar. It has a very relaxed atmosphere and the owner and bartender, Cal Smith, does business with a Troll brewery, so the beer is excellent. I’ve heard the food is good as well, but it’s a bit fresh for my taste, however most humans enjoy it.

For those who enjoy wildlife, be sure to visit the wolf sanctuary run by the Pritchard family. They’re our local werewolf pack. We also have a lovely beach as well as hiking trails.

If you’re looking for souvenirs, we have some lovely shops in the town square. The Sword and Dagger Antique shop, owned by Edmond Chancellor, specializes in antique weapons, in particular swords.

For accommodations, be sure to stay at the Crawford Inn. It has quite a history and the owner, Marka Crawford, is almost always happy to chat.

4. Speaking of Edmond Chancellor, he’s your employer and the leader of the Original Town Council. What is the council and how long have you worked for Mr. Chancellor?

Robins: Although we have a mayor and other town officials, the Original Town Council is a secret organization that truly runs the town. It’s made up of the four men who founded Whisper in 1650 and a descendant of the witch who founded it with them. I worked for Mr. Chancellor’s family before he was born and I will tell you that he is very different from most of his relatives. He is a man of courage, honor and compassion. When I met him, I was a servant in the dungeon of his cousin’s house. If not for Mr. Chancellor, I would probably still be there and that’s not something I want to think about. That was nearly a thousand years ago.

5. It appears you’re very loyal to Edmond Chancellor. Does your relationship go deeper than butler and employer?

Robins: I am loyal to him not merely because he is my employer. I respect Mr. Chancellor greatly.

6. What can you tell us about Tobias Crawford?

Robins: Mr. Crawford is a member of the Original Town Council and a good friend of Mr. Chancellor. He is a cat shifter descended from an ancient line in Egypt.

7. If Tobias and Edmond were to make their union permanent, how would you feel about the cat shifter becoming part of the household at Edmond Chancellor’s mansion?

Robins: I will be as pleased to serve Mr. Crawford as I am pleased to serve Mr. Chancellor. He already visits the mansion often and is a considerate guest and a good man.

It’s getting late and something tells me it’s not a wise idea to keep a half-Ghoul half-Troll from his dinner. I hope you’ve enjoyed the interview with Robins. If you’d like to learn more about his employer and Tobias Crawford, here’s an excerpt from their story.

Thank you!

Whisper 4: Black Cat

by Kate Hill

(M/M Vampire/Shapeshifter)

From Changeling Press

http://changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1969

Vampire Edmond Chancellor and cat shifter Tobias Crawford have had a not-so-secret affair for over three hundred years. Edmond wants to bond with Tobias permanently, but Tobias has reasons for keeping his distance.

On a chilly December night, both men turn to past memories for guidance, but it’s a present danger that makes them realize that time is precious, even to men who are practically immortal.

The following excerpt from Black Cat is for readers 18 and over.

Every year since Whisper was founded, the Original Town Council had a party with family and friends. It was held at Edmond’s colonial mansion that overlooked the town from Chancellor Hill.

In the early days, the house wasn’t quite so imposing, but Edmond had expanded it and the place was now one of the largest private homes in New England.

The town itself had been Edmond’s idea–a sanctuary for the supernatural, founded by the supernatural. Here any magical person who wanted to live in harmony, without violence or prejudice, was welcome. Of course residents of Whisper took up arms when necessary, but their main goal was to create a safe haven for those in search of peace.

“Then let’s talk.” Edmond sprawled on his back and stretched. The muscles in his compact body tensed, then relaxed as he closed his eyes halfway and released a long, slow breath.

From the moment they’d met, Tobias had been captivated by him. Like most beings, supernatural or not, he’d learned to be wary of vampires, yet unlike most, he’d never been susceptible to their dangerous charms–until he’d met Edmond.

“Sorry, but I’m out of time.” Tobias rose and pulled on his clothes.

Edmond’s eyes opened fully and he raised himself on his elbows. “But you came here to talk about the party.”

“Yes. And instead we wasted time in bed.”

“Wasted? Since when is making love a waste of time?”

“Since I have somewhere to be. Let Robins plan the party. He always does most of it anyway.”

Robins, Edmond’s butler, had been with him for nearly a thousand years.

“Tobias, I’ll drop the subject of commitment, if that’s what you want, even though I don’t understand your aversion to it. As you said, we’ve been together for over three centuries.”

“Maybe you’ll drop it for now, but you’ll bring it up again. You always do.” Tobias stood in front of the mirror over Edmond’s dresser and quickly ran a brush through his glossy sable hair. He saw Edmond’s reflection in the mirror, watching him with a look of frustration on his angular face.

“I’m a man of conviction. I know what I want.” Edmond sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. Though not a tall man, he had an athletic build and moved with almost catlike grace that Tobias found incredibly sexy. He paused close to Tobias and cupped the back of his head, entangling his fingers in his freshly-combed hair, he spoke against his lips, “I’ve always wanted you, Tobias. I want to spend my life with you.”

“That could be a very long time for us,” Tobias replied, somehow keeping his voice steady.

“I certainly hope so.” Edmond covered Tobias’ mouth in a possessive kiss that sent Tobias’ heart pounding.

Previous books in the Whisper series:

Whisper 1: Dragon’s Bar

Whisper 2: Bronzed

Whisper 3: Mating Call

About Kate Hill

Always a fan of romance and the paranormal, Kate Hill started writing over twenty years ago for pleasure. Her first story, a short erotic vampire tale, was accepted for publication in 1996. Since then she has sold over one hundred short stories, novellas and novels.

When she’s not working on her books, Kate enjoys reading, working out and spending time with her family and pets.

She enjoys hearing from readers and she can be contacted at katehill@sprintmail.com. Visit her online at http://www.kate-hill.com.

Contest

To enter this contest you must be 18 or over.

To enter for the chance to win a pdf download of a Kate Hill or Saloni Quinby Changeling Press ebook (winner’s choice of title), please comment. The contest will run for three days from the day of this post. At the end of that time, a winner will be selected from the comments. Thank you!

Between Two Wolves, Tales of Moonspell 2

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Between Two Wolves

Welcome back to Moonspell, a tiny southern town where paranormal is normal.

Brandt Fitzgerald has wondered from time to time when he would find his mate. Imagine his surprise when he finds her — and has to share her with his brother! The boys have been known to share before, but can something on a permanent basis really work?

Falan Wright has lots of curves and a little extra. She’s never been anyone’s ideal before and now she’s suddenly faced with not one but two hot men ready to be at her beck and call. What’s a woman to do? The concept of mates isn’t unknown to Falan, but is she ready to tie herself to both Fitzgerald men? Can she be woman enough for both of them?

Available now from Changeling Press!

EXCERPT

Falan curled up in her living room chair and touched her fingers to her lips. She’d read countless romance novels, but none of them had prepared her for Brandt’s kiss. He’d taken her by surprise. The moment his lips had touched hers time stood still. They’d felt soft yet firm as they’d moved against hers. A shiver raked her body as she remembered his tongue slowly sliding into her mouth, then retreating only to return again. He’d tasted of beer, which she usually hated, but on Brandt it had been divine. She couldn’t have asked for a better first kiss.

But why hadn’t Nolen kissed her? He claimed she was his mate, too. Did he not want her as much as Brandt did? Or had he worried about overwhelming her? If only she’d had the courage to kiss him on his way out the door. Would his kiss affect her as strongly as Brandt’s had?

She remembered how angry Brandt had seemed when she’d commented on her weight. She’d be the first to admit she had issues with her body. She’d been teased mercilessly most of her life, and had watched as all of the guys she’d liked ignored her and went out with skinny girls. What message was she supposed to derive from that except that she was fat? Her dating experience certainly hadn’t changed once she’d reached adulthood. Brandt was the first man — no, make that the first person — who’d ever called her sexy. It had made her feel all warm inside.

She understood what it meant to be their mate. And if she was honest with herself, she’d admit that she was thrilled. The thought of belonging, of being part of something special… it was all she’d ever wanted. She’d wished on countless stars to be sent a man to love who would love her in return, and now she’d been sent not one but two. She wasn’t entirely certain she could satisfy one man, much less two. But the brothers didn’t seem worried about it.

The thought of being intimate with Brandt and Nolen was both exciting and a little bit scary. She knew she couldn’t expect real life to be anything like a romance novel, but she had to wonder if they would be slow and tender, like the hero in the book she’d been reading last night. Or would it be fast and hard and leave her breathless? No matter how they made love to her, she knew she had to be honest with them and tell them she was a virgin. It was the right thing to do.

She had no doubt that they’d each been with their fair share of women, but she wondered if they’d ever shared one before. Being their mate made her special, but she wanted to be special in other ways, too. It didn’t seem fair that they got to be her first kiss, first intimate caress, first and only in her bed, if she didn’t get to be a first anything for them.

Falan had no doubt they’d be honest with her if she asked them about their sex lives; she just wasn’t one hundred percent sure she wanted to hear their answers. Men who looked like Brandt and Nolen were far from celibate. She knew they were experienced; she just had to decide whether or not she wanted to know how experienced they were. Did she really want to hear about the other women in their lives?

She picked up the card on the table and looked at it. Fitzgerald Renovations. It seemed her two hunky guys were good with their hands. She blushed at the thought of what else those hands might be good at and put the card back on the table. Looking across the room at the phone, she wondered if she should call them. They’d said she could have a few days to think things over, but what was there to contemplate? She was destined to be with them, right? From what little she knew about werewolves, she knew she’d never have to worry about infidelity, or at least she thought she didn’t. When a werewolf mated, it was for life, or so she’d been told. The moment they realized she was their mate, they wouldn’t see anyone but her. At least, that’s how she understood it. She’d only known one werewolf before and the woman didn’t live in Moonspell any longer. She’d found her mate in another pack two towns over. She and Stella hadn’t discussed the pack much, but they’d talked about guys more than once.

Maybe it would be a good idea to give Stella a call. They didn’t talk often anymore, but the werewolf had made sure to leave her new number with Falan when she’d moved.

She walked across the room and picked up the cordless phone. Dialing the number, she put the phone to her ear and went back to her chair. She curled up and waited, hoping her friend would answer. Finally, on the sixth ring, Stella picked up.

“Falan?”

“Hi, Stella. I hope I’m not calling too late.”

“No, not at all. Everything okay?”

“Sort of. I had some questions for you.”

“What kind of questions?” Stella asked.

“Werewolf questions.”

There was a pause, then, “Why do you need to know about werewolves?”

“Because Brandt and Nolen Fitzgerald informed me I’m their mate.”

Stella squealed. “That’s wonderful!”

“Is it?”

“Do you know how many women have wanted to tame those two? It’s past time for them to settle down.”

“But, why me? Wouldn’t they be better suited to another werewolf?”

“Honey, we don’t pick our mates. They’re chosen for us. If you were selected as their mate, then the three of you were destined to be together.”

“You aren’t shocked that they have to share me?”

Stella laughed. “I doubt yours will be the first ménage relationship the pack has had.”

“What about…”

“What’s really bothering you?”

“They’re so much more experienced than I am. What if they’re disappointed? I know you told me that werewolves mate for life, but what if I can’t satisfy them? It would kill me if they went to another woman.”

“Oh, honey, you won’t have to worry about that, not with those two. There’s no one more loyal than Brandt and Nolen. If you open yourself up to them and jump in with both feet, you won’t regret it.”

“You really think so?”

“I know so. Now, why don’t you give them a call and tell them you’re ready to discuss your relationship?”

“I don’t know, Stella. Maybe I should take things slowly. You know, go on a few dates and get to know them.”

Stella sighed. “It sounds like you’ve already made up your mind. Just remember that they’ll be willing to do anything for you. As of today, you’re their world.”

“No pressure or anything.”

They made their goodbyes and Falan hung up the phone. She set it down on the table and stood. Not remembering whether or not she’d locked her car, she grabbed her keys and stepped outside. Her foot landed in something warm and wet and down she went. When she saw the substance was blood, she screamed and scrambled to her feet. She turned to go back in the house and froze. He’s mine was written in blood on the front of her house, next to the door.

Heart pounding, she dashed inside, slammed the door shut and locked it. Since she’d never really dated, “he” could only be Brandt or Nolen. With shaky hands, she picked up the phone and dialed Nolen.

Like Magic by Anne Holly

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LIKE MAGIC

A contemporary/paranormal erotic-romance for Halloween

By Anne Holly

Published by Rebel Ink Press

 

Ian Hannigan was having the worst day of his life. A real estate prospect turned out to be a prank, his car has been stolen, and he’s stranded in the worst neighborhood he can imagine on Halloween night. If he believed in magic, he would swear he’d been cursed. Nothing could possibly make this day any worse or better… That is, nothing but Raven, a mysterious occult shop owner who not only claims to be a witch, but insists that she summoned him as the answer to her aching loneliness. Ian’s night just got a lot weirder. And his love life just got a lot more interesting.

 

http://annehollyholiday.webs.com/halloweentales.htm

 

 

Excerpt (18+):

It had been one hell of a day.

The leads on development properties that Ian Hannigan had wasted his afternoon tracking down turned out to be bogus. Then the drizzle that had been coming all day had grown into torrents. Finally, as darkness fell, he made his way back to where he remembered parking his car only to discover it gone. His call to the police resulted in an inordinately long response time, so he deduced the Halloween whackos were starting their fun early. The twenty minutes he’d been on hold left him just barely enough cell phone battery left to call a cab that hadn’t arrived. This was how he found himself wandering around in what looked like the worst possible neighborhood for someone wearing a Rolex.

Now, soaked through his conservative suit right down to his underwear from the bitter rain, he sought out a semi-dry refuge to regroup. It looked like his only recourse was to huddle in the deep, covered doorway of a darkened ‘Occult and Curio’ shop to wait in case the police managed to come by. This wasn’t a part of town in which cabs would troll for fares.

When he selected the seemingly unoccupied alcove, he hadn’t expected company. So when the temptingly rounded figure of a young woman appeared to pop up out of nowhere beside him, he jumped. He stifled a small curse and thought to say hello, but she began working her magic on Ian without saying a word. There was a look in her shining eyes that stole the words out of his mouth. When she palmed his stirring cock without invitation, his instinct was to pull away, but the rapid intensity of his reaction seemed to paralyze him. He leaned against the entrance hall in a fog and rode the wave.

The woman was ethereal, dressed in floaty feminine clothing with unbound hair and wild motion. She looked like a red headed angel who’d fallen from heaven just for him. She rode his trouser-clad thigh as if in heat as she traced his neck with her lips. Ian thought it would be ungentlemanly of him to disoblige. Always a savvy businessman, he was never one to turn down a good offer, or perhaps he’d simply gone too long without a woman. Grasping her breast through her hippie linen peasant blouse, he felt where his drenched jacket had soaked her to the skin.

Sex with strangers might have its appeal for some men but it didn’t normally happen to Ian, not since his glory days on the college swim team, in any case. Still, here he was – with what appeared to be a flower-child nymphomaniac plastered to him like some horny variety of a clinging vine. And something in his pulse carried him along without protest. It was out of character for him, he’d always been so cagey and in control, but her passion seemed to overtake him. Perhaps it was recent disappointments or the stress of the day, but Ian was unable to resist.

Before the sex starved siren tackled him, Ian believed absolutely nothing could possibly make this day any better. Just before he captured her unpainted, coral lips and let his animal instincts take over, he thought to bless the taxi driver who never showed up.

He didn’t even know her name, but at that moment he figured it didn’t matter. What’s in a name, anyway?

 

~*~

 

LIKE MAGIC is available as a single in ebook, and also in Anne’s new Rebel Ink Press anthology, ALL I WANT: THE ANNE HOLLY-DAY COLLECTION.

http://annehollyholiday.webs.com/thehollydaycollection.htm

 

*

 

Anne Holly is a Canadian writer of romance and erotic-romance, as well as a mother and teacher. She has been published by Wild Horse Press, Decadent Publishing, Rebel Ink Press, and Pink Petal Books. You may visit Anne at her blog or website, or find her on GoodReads, Facebook and Twitter  (@anneholly2010). Email: anneholly2010@gmail.com.

 

Drive Me Wild – Now Available!

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Drive Me Wild
By Jessica Coulter Smith
Published by Changeling Press
Erotic Romance Novella

Bailey Sanders has always been a one-night stand kind of woman, until she meets Alex Mendos. There’s just something about him that calls to her. His bedroom eyes, his wicked smile, his sinful body… Bailey can barely keep her hands off him, or her mind off the delicious things she’d like to do to him. But when their time together has permanent results, she wonders if she’ll be able to count on Alex. Can her scrumptious bad boy turn into a doting daddy?

ADULT EXCERPT

A skintight black dress hugged her curves, stopping mere inches below her ass. Matching strappy sandals adorned her small feet. With her purple streaked hair pulled back and a simple choker around her neck, she looked like sex personified. She knew that dressed as she was there was a good chance she would only attract the attention of men looking for a good time, but she could hope that others would look her way, too.

The music in the club was booming and people cluttered the dance floor. She made her way to the bar and climbed onto one of the vacant stools. Ordering an Irish coffee, she settled in and observed the crowd. There were more women than men, but that didn’t deter her. Even if she didn’t find what she was looking for tonight, she could still have fun.

Bailey sipped her drink as her eyes scanned the men in the room. In the corner, she saw a group of men cutting up and having a good time. She was surprised to see that Alex was among them. Part of her wanted to go over and ask him to dance, but she refrained. While she wanted to have another taste, it wouldn’t help her long-term plan much. She tore her gaze away and looked around again. Her view was suddenly blocked by a deep blue button down shirt.

Looking up, she smiled in surprise. It wasn’t just one man standing in front of her, but two. Identical twins at that. Mm-mm. The night was looking up.

“May I help you gentleman?” she asked.

“We were hoping you might like to dance.”

“With both of you?” she asked, her gaze taking in their tousled black hair and bright blue eyes. In that regard, they reminded her of Alex. They were tall like him too, but not as well built. Not that they were tiny by any means, their muscles just weren’t as… well, Alex’s muscles had muscles. It was hardly fair to compare anyone to him.

The first one nodded. “I’m Andrew and this is my brother Adam.”

“I’m Bailey, and I’d love to dance.”

She sat her drink down and followed them onto the dance floor. Sandwiched between them, she let the beat carry her. One of her favorite songs was playing and she just let go. Dancing with wild abandon, she felt their hands caress her. She smiled and ground her hips against the one in front of her.

He placed his hands on either side of her and pulled her closer, his brother moved in even closer behind. She could feel their heat surrounding her. And then suddenly, it was gone.

She blinked and realized that someone had taken her arm and jerked her out from between the hot twins. Looking up, she saw Alex glowering down at her. What was his problem?

“Are you quite done?” he asked.

“No, actually, I’m not. If you don’t mind, I’m dancing.”

“Is that what you call it?”

She tilted her chin up. “It’s what you called it last weekend.”

Alex motioned for the twins to take a hike, then pulled her off the dance floor into a quiet corner of the room. He released her and she rubbed her arm.

“What’s wrong with you?” she demanded. “I was having fun!”

“I told you to call me.”

“What you said was that it had been fun and you wouldn’t mind doing it again sometime. That doesn’t translate into me not dancing with other men.”

“I didn’t like seeing you with them.”

“You’re not the kind of guy I need right now, Alex. You don’t want to be tied down, and I’m not going to tie myself to a guy who can’t commit to me.” She turned and walked off a few steps before facing him again. “Don’t interfere again.”

She heard Alex curse behind her as she walked back toward the bar, intent on downing another drink. Instead, halfway there, she changed her mind and left the club. She heard footsteps behind her but didn’t think anything of it. It wasn’t until the sound was directly behind her that she got a little nervous. Glancing over her shoulder, she stopped in the middle of the sidewalk.

“What are you doing?” she demanded.

“Making sure you get to your car okay.”

“Alex… what do you want from me?”

He shrugged. “A chance to get to know you would be nice.”

“But you don’t do relationships.”

“Who said we had to call it a relationship?”

“Well, that’s what I’m looking for. And if you aren’t capable of that, then turn around and walk back inside and find you a quick ride for the night, because it won’t be me. What do you do, anyway, come down here every night looking to get laid?”

“One of the guys got engaged this morning. We came out to celebrate. I haven’t been here since Saturday night.”

She bit her lip. “Me neither.”

“Look, at least let me walk you to your car.”

“I walked.”

His eyebrows rose. “You walked?” His gaze raked her from head to toe. “In that?”

“I didn’t want to be bothered with parking down here. It’s only a few blocks to my apartment.”

“Then I’ll drive you home.”

“Alex…”

He pulled her into his arms and she melted against him. No matter how much she wanted to fight him, she just couldn’t resist him. Having his arms around her felt wonderful, and she remembered what it had been like to have his naked flesh pressed against hers, to have his cock inside of her. Breathing him in, she practically purred.

“Let me take you home,” he whispered in her ear.

She nodded and let him walk her to his car. He opened the passenger door and she slid into the beautiful black Mustang. The car was sleek and powerful, just like its owner. The interior smelled like him and she inhaled deeply before he got in.

The drive to her apartment was silent. If he had anything on his mind, he was saving it for when they got upstairs. Upstairs. Now there was a thought. He was going to be in her home again. They’d never made it to the bedroom last time, would he expect to get there this time? Was that why he wanted to take her home? Did he just want a repeat performance? Not that she really minded. She had been craving him since the moment she’d laid eyes on him, and the craving just got worse and worse. Even now her mouth watered at the mere thought of sucking that long, hard cock of his.

He parked and helped her out of the car. They walked up the stairs to the third floor and she let them in to her apartment. His business card still sat on her coffee table, a brilliant white rectangle against the dark wood. Alex walked over and picked it up.

“Were you ever going to use this?”

“It’s only been a few days.”

He dropped it back onto the table. “I had hoped you would have called by now. I’ve been thinking about you.”

“You have?”

“Every second of every day.” He moved closer, pulling her body tight against his. “Remembering the taste of your lips, the scent of your soft skin, the feel of your pussy as it gripped my cock… Thoughts of you have been driving me mad.”

He’d thought of her? He hadn’t just forgotten her once he’d walked out of her door? She smiled and leaned her head against his chest. Her hands rested on his upper arms, strong arms, arms made for holding and protecting. Thud. Thud. His heart pounded and she wondered if he was just immensely turned on right then, or if he was nervous. She knew he wanted her, she’d seen the bulge in his pants before she’d gotten in his car with him. Hers was pounding too, mostly from desire. She wanted him, more than she’d ever wanted anyone before. Only Alex made her feel this way. Why? What was it about him that called to her so? She’d been attracted to men before, but with Alex there felt like there was something more.

“I’ve thought about you, too,” she admitted softly.

He leaned down and gently captured her lips with his. She trembled in his arms and leaned into him. His tongue slid into her mouth. He tasted of whiskey and pure male lust, and she couldn’t get enough of him.

BUY NOW!

Textbook Romance by Anne Holly

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Textbook Romance, a new contemporary sensual romance by Anne Holly

Available in ebook from Pink Petal Books and coming to paperback September 13, 2012!

 

Chase after love? As a single mother, Professor Liberty Sullivan knows better. Between her flighty mother and a disastrous history with men, she’s pretty much soured on the whole concept of romance. Personal freedom and self-reliance are her new guiding mantras. Raising her son and being a career star are the most important things now.

Then she meets Seth.

An ex-cop who’s making a new life for himself and his daughter, Seth Webster has every reason to play it safe. Then he meets Liberty. Prickly about love, following some crazy anti-romance curriculum, she still makes Seth’s heart pound. And a lifetime of cop instinct tells him he’s about to teach Liberty that this romance will be anything but by the book.

 

 

Excerpt:

 

Libby watched him, as he watched her hand, which rested close to her mug on the table, and she knew he wanted to take it in his. If he did, would she let him, she wondered. Instead, he cleared his throat and sat back, and she felt a vague pang of disappointment that he didn’t try. It was a silly feeling, she knew, since she was the one who put up all the fences and made all the rules, and she should be grateful he was abiding by them. It was a good thing he was remembering her tenure quest, even if the schoolgirl in her kept forgetting it.

“So, what about you?” he asked. “Why Apollonia?”

Libby shrugged. “I got a job. In this business, you go where you’re hired, and my one year contract was up at Princeton, so I took the offer here. Plus, it seems like a nice place for Charlie to grow up – not too rural, not too urban.”

“Charlie looks like a great kid.”

“He really is,” Libby agreed, taking the last sip of coffee from her mug. “He’s doing excellent in school, healthy as a horse, cleans up when I ask him to, loves his mom… I can’t complain.”

“What about his dad?”

“I thought we weren’t talking about exes?” she asked, evading the question.

“Well, maybe the rule isn’t as firm as I heard,” he said with a grin.

After a pause, Libby answered simply, “He didn’t want to be a dad, so he isn’t.”

Seth nodded slowly. “I think…” he said, gravely, “I think we need to have a second date so we can talk about anything that comes up.”

“You are determined, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” he answered, immediately. “When something feels right, yes, I am. And, Libby, nothing has felt this right for me in a long time.”

“Seems we have a lot of reasons not to,” she observed.

“What reasons would those be?” he asked. “The class? Your tenure? All that’ll be over with shortly, right? And our kids? We’ll be careful there, but kids adjust fine to things. Better than adults. And this doesn’t have to have anything to do with them until we know what’s going on between us. But it’s no reason not to look into the situation, and see, is it?”

“I don’t… do this sort of thing,” Libby answered, weakly.

“What? Date?”

“No, I don’t.” Libby shook her head. “Never. Not since Carson left.”

“In eight years, there’s been nobody?” Seth asked with a tone of disbelief.

“There’s been Charlie,” she answered firmly, looking him in the eye. “There wasn’t anyone before my ex, and no one since. Charlie’s been enough for me. I just don’t see the point of other relationships, if it can all end in disaster.”

“But it didn’t,” he countered. “I mean, the romance may have ended badly, but it wasn’t a disaster, right? You have Charlie. I have Kelsey. Don’t they make it worth it?”

Libby had no answer for him, but she sat away from the table, slightly, breaking the intimacy of the conversation.

“All right, Libby,” Seth relented. “All right, I can wait. As long as you need me to. But as long as there’s hope, you can’t fault me for trying.”

“Why me? I mean, why go through this bother, when there are plenty of ready and willing women out there? You barely know me.”

“I told you,” Seth said. “Perhaps it is love at first sight.”

Libby muttered a very unladylike word in response.

“Honestly, that’s the closest I can describe it… I’m just compelled towards you.”

Libby would’ve argued, but Seth continued, “I think maybe we need each other. We both deserve a second chance, I think… Will you at least think about it?”

She likely had no choice, she realized. After a speech like that, she wouldn’t be able to not think about it. And that wasn’t good at all.

 

*Find out more about Textbook Romance at:

http://textbookromance.webs.com/

~*~

Anne Holly is a Canadian writer, mother and teacher, who currently lives in Ontario. She’s the author of two contemporary romance novels and numerous short works, and is working on two historical pieces at the moment. You can find her on Facebook, GoodReads, Twitter, and her blog, or check out her books on Amazon, B&N, and elsewhere.

 

LINKS:

Website: http://www.anneholly.webs.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anne-Holly/140519945969686

GoodReads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4509212.Anne_Holly

Twitter: https://twitter.com/anneholly2010

Blog: http://anneholly.blogspot.ca/

Amazon profile: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004GR1CGY

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/anne-holly

Sci-fi Erotic Romance

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Do you enjoy sci-fi erotic romance? Vaaden Captives is coming to paperback August 15, 2012 on Amazon.com!

Three women captured on earth and taken to Vaaden, a planet in another galaxy. What will happen when they realize they are to be kept as slaves, claimed for the sole purpose of pleasing the warriors?

Sorcha does the unthinkable — falls in love with her owner’s brother…

Enid is terrified of men, but she finds herself falling in love with the man who claimed her.

Susan finds herself drawn to both Randar and Sylon, but only one can claim her.

 

Love Bites

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While most people have e-readers these days, there are those who just prefer the feel of a book in their hands. Perhaps it’s the smell of the ink, or the feel of the pages as they turn them, or maybe they just like seeing the book sit on their shelf. Whatever the reason, it means they miss out on a lot of books, those available only in e-book format.

Many of my new titles are have only been released as e-books, mostly because they’re just too short to be a full-length novel. So as I was pondering how to resolve this issue, I came up with the idea of a vampire anthology. Love Bites is coming to paperback August 15, 2012. Heat level – Scorching!

What will you find in Love Bites?

Eternally Mine – A woman fleeing her boyfriend finds a cabin in the moutains, but the man who rescues her is more than just a man.

Night’s Embrace – Annabel has given up on life, but a tall, dark and tempting stranger gives her the courage to go on living.

Creole Nights – Living on the streets of New Orleans, Adelaide is rescued by the kindest man she’s ever met… except he isn’t really a man – not anymore.

Seducing the Captain

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Raven’s Crew 1: Seducing the Captain

Ashlynn Monroe

Cover art: Reneé George
BIN: 05724-01834
Genre(s): Futuristic, Action Adventure/   Suspense, Sci-Fi, Erotic Romance
Theme(s): Dark Desire
Series: Raven’s Crew (#1)
Length: Novella
Page Count: 48

 

Raylin Fabian has loved Captain Sterling Tristam for ten long, lonely years. Unfortunately, he still sees her as the child he rescued so long ago, when her wartorn home world’s barbarity caught up with her once elite family of telepaths.

When Raylin’s injured, her captain makes a decision she can’t accept. She finds herself left behind on a world Tristam thinks is safe. However, there’s no place unreachable enough in the galaxy to escape the captain’s nemesis.

Caught in the crossfire between Tristam and an angry battalion commander’s ire, Raylin has but one avenue of escape — seducing her captain. Can she convince the man she loves it’s all right to love her back?

 

Buy link http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1834

 

Chapter One

 

Laser blasts hit the steel doors ahead of her. The reverberation made her head feel as if it might explode. Skidding to a halt, Raylin Fabian watched the metal bubble and melt where the coin-sized blasts hit. Each of the numerous deadly projectiles missed her by just inches. Thank God that traitorous bastard is such a bad shot! She couldn’t hear her captain beside her anymore. Together they’d turned down the corridor a moment ago. Raylin paused just long enough to look for Captain Sterling Tristam, the man she’d flown with for the last decade, the only person she truly trusted. Tristam wasn’t behind her. Panic rose like bile in her throat, making it hard to breathe. Her heart pounded painfully. Raylin bit her lip, resisting the urge to scream his name.

Cap wouldn’t just leave her. He was — he was the only noble man she’d ever met in

Free Space.

She turned and climbed back down the spindly metal ladder, leaving the crew quarters. The only sound was her feet against the floor as she raced down the long unlit corridor, turning again, almost making it to her destination. The sound of running brought her up short and she paused to look for some place to hide on the enemy craft. Turning again, off course and further from escape, she rushed down another hallway. Seeing the cargo crates, Raylin rushed towards them and managed to wedge her small body in the shadows between them, obscuring her slight form in the dark place between two large containers standing nestled next to the wall. She held her breath. Three men in Galaxy Battalion uniforms ran past her.

Damn it, Cap! I told you this was a trap.

Fuck. A produce transport out of Battalion-controlled space was too good to be true. The second freedom war had been raging a full two years, and this time it was all or nothing. The rebels would die before they agreed to peace after what the Battalion army had done to them last time. They should have known. Food that good never made it to the refugee camps, even if the majority of those refugees were helpless children. Sterling, why do you have to be the one to answer every time someone needs a hero? She should be glad he was, or she’d have been screwed, but right now, the endearing trait was pissing her off.

The long narrow corridor was quiet now. Two turns and she’d be back at the airlock. She’d press a button and Esta would send the shuttle for her. She’d have to endure running ten feet across the flimsy emergency connector, nothing but two inches of plastic between her delicate flesh and the vacuum of space, but she’d do it to get the hell off this ship.

But she couldn’t leave without her Cap. She’d never leave him behind. Tenuously, she worked herself out of the claustrophobia-inducing hiding nook and scanned the path in both directions. Her way was clear. Now to pick a direction, Raylin closed her eyes a moment and focused. Cap. Where are you?

Nothing. She had no sense of where he was — no connection to him. Not a good sign. She should be able to feel him. He needed her, she was sure of that fact. The urgency she felt told her the powers she’d long suppressed were roaring to life. Survival. The Galinian telepathy she’d pushed away for a decade hadn’t left her as she’d hoped. She could feel the crew’s panic on Raven. Cap wasn’t back. He hadn’t left her behind. Equal measures of relief and terror surged through Raylin. Cap! Her mind sent the call without her conscious thought.

Leave me. Get away…

She gasped. His returned thoughts were so weak. Sterling Tristam was a lot of things — privateer, rebel, freedom fighter — but never weak. Help me find you. What happened back there?

No… run!

Damn it, Cap, I’m not leaving without you. You wouldn’t leave me. I can’t live – live with myself if you die here. Cap, tell me or I’m just going to go looking.

Fuckin’ telepathy! I’m not getting off this ship alive, Raylin. Bartholomew paid Crandel to set us up. I’m so sorry, Star Shine. Get off this bird!

Oh, it was bad. He hadn’t called her Star Shine in years. Sorrow filled her. No! I’m on the cargo deck and I’m climbing to the crew quarters again now.

Go back. Press your emergency beacon. Esta will get you home.

There is no home for me without you, Cap.

She’s going to be yours, the Raven. Esta knows, she’s your ship now. You deserve her more than anybody I know, even Esta. I’m sorry, Ray.

Don’t you fucking die on me, Cap. We’re a team. I’m at the kitchenette. Should I go right or left?

Stubborn little girl, don’t you do this to me. I won’t let you die for me.

We all die someday. You’re dying for your war. I might as well die for you.

I’m in the corridor ahead of you. Take a right, then a left. Keep your head down, kid.

They’re coming back. I killed the one who shot me, but more are coming. I tried to get them off your tail, Star Shine. I wanted you to escape. I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you about Crandel.

We should’ve left him on that rotting rock Alpha-Nine.

She followed his directions carefully, but still didn’t see him.

“I’m here,” Captain Tristam whispered loudly.

Raylin turned and saw him then, pressed up against the water recycling pipes. He was holding his stomach, blood seeping between his fingers.

“Oh, Cap,” she cried.

“Press your beacon, send the distress signal. What’s going on over there? I know you can feel it.”

We’d better be quiet. Here, sorry, it’s bad isn’t it? Crandel radioed over and told Esta we were staying for a drink. She knew right away that wasn’t right. The idiot has no idea how much you mean to that woman. She put her arm around her captain and pressed the button. Esta already knew they were in danger. Raylin had felt the woman’s fear earlier. Cap was heavy. Slowly they made their way down the corridor. They’d be easy to track — the blood drops were a dead giveaway.

Yeah, it’s bad. Esta is amazing.

You set the pace, whatever you can handle, but we need to hurry.

Bossy woman. She could feel his humor. Thanks for coming for me, but damn it, I’ll kill you if you die. I have a responsibility to you, kid.

She hated it when he called her kid. She’d just turned twenty-six. Then the sound of laser blasts distracted her. Ahead she saw Owen and Zolly. They’d come. Relief filled her. Neither of them was great with a firearm, but they’d die for Cap. He just inspired that in people.

Raylin cried out as pain radiated through her side. Her body crumpled and Cap toppled with her. Glancing down, she saw the massive wound. A rather disturbingly large chunk of her body appeared vaporized. She whimpered, unable to help herself. She’d be good to her word. It was time to die for Cap.

Looking back she saw him struggling to hold his body together. Clearly the blast he’d suffered had sliced him up badly. She didn’t realize she was crying until she felt the cold tickle as tears trailed down her face.

With his free hand, he reached out to her and she took her beloved captain’s hand. Above them laser fire blasted, but now it didn’t matter. The damage was done.

“I’m sorry, Star Shine,” Captain Tristam whispered.

“I love you, Sterling, always have, always will. I wish… I wish you’d seen me as a woman.”

“Damn it, you’re going to tell me this now? I’ve worked so hard to ignore how much of a woman you are. You — you’re special, Star Shine, far too good for the likes of me. You deserve someone who’ll be able to give you a soft life with sweet words.”

“I never wanted that. I only wanted you.” His face was becoming blurry.

Everything was growing dark. She closed her eyes.

“Star Shine!” He squeezed her hand but she couldn’t respond. “Raylin!”

Darkness won.

* * *

 

Ten Years Earlier

Galina Free Space

Just Outside Planetary Atmosphere

 

She’d never been on a real space shuttle before. Raylin felt terrified. She didn’t want to leave Galina. She just wanted to go home, even if that wouldn’t ever be an option again. She was so hungry, so weak.

The dirty man flying the shuttle glanced back and smiled at her. His rotted teeth made his smile look frightening, sending a shiver through her.

Her hands remained tied, but they hadn’t gagged her. She’d seen them gag other girls at the market, so she’d been smart and kept still. She’d known screaming wouldn’t change her parents’ minds. War had taken their choices. The only option the Fabian clan of Galina had left was to sell their older children, hoping to keep the little ones alive.

She was just glad her family hadn’t fallen into cannibalism as so many others had recently. The planet had fought for freedom, and lost. Now things were even worse than they’d been before the war. She’d never experienced peace, and she definitely couldn’t remember having gone to bed with a full stomach. Sixteen years of hunger… The war had broken out when she was only days old.

“By the way, I’m Virge, but you can call me Lord or Master, whatever you’d prefer.”

She didn’t reply to her captor and he didn’t ask for her name. She’d never give it to him. It was the only thing that was still hers. Her parents had sold every other part of her.

Virge grabbed a lock of her hair. The contrast between his filth and her freshly washed hair made her stomach turn. He’d purchased her purity for so little. How could you do this to me, Mother? Why didn’t you find another way, Father?

Her terrified thoughts were her own. She was away from the buzz of voices in her head she was so accustomed to on her home world. The loneliness of her mind was suffocating, void now of telepathic messages from those she loved.

For Galina, the war would never truly end. She could see it in the eyes of their oppressors as they watched children dying without compassion. She knew the bastard who’d purchased her for almost nothing had no good intentions, but anything had to be better than starving to death.

Just as she thought that, he reached over and she managed to pull back enough in the passenger seat so that only her knee was in his grasp.

Worse — she realized there were worse things. The look in his eyes told her he wanted to do things to her, things she wasn’t ready to endure. Shaking, she bit her lip and managed to keep her tears at bay. Whatever happened, she wouldn’t let the asshole see her cry.

“You’re a pretty thing for a half-starved Galinian. You one of them mind readers?”

“I don’t have to be a mind reader to know I want to go home. I’ll fight you if you try to rape me.”

The filthy man laughed. She focused trying to read the echoes of his thoughts.

Been too long… hard… few meals and she’ll feel good… damn she’s sassy. Should’a gagged her.

Raylin kept quiet. She’d been thrown roughly onto a crude platform, and the auctioneer called out a price. Her pedigree as a Fabian didn’t mean a thing to the offworlders who’d come to buy slaves. Slavery wasn’t legal, but here in what was once Free Space there were no more laws.

The Battalion armies had laid ruin to the once beautiful world. Her people worked too hard just holding onto freedom to address the rapidly decaying social systems of Galina. They’d all lost someone, and the enemy wanted to punish them, civilian or not. Soldiers watched the spectacle, and she’d even seen a few of them buying Galinian girls and boys. Weak and sick, those kids didn’t have a chance to fight back, just as she didn’t. In war the biggest losers were the most vulnerable, the young and old. No one would save her.

Raylin held herself stiffly as the small shuttle navigated into the launch deck of a mid-sized cargo transport. She hadn’t seen a ship of this type since she was a little kid. The age of the craft made her exceedingly nervous. Finding herself dragged to space against her will was bad enough without living on a junker. She’d heard enough tales of ships going cold, losing air and the occupants freezing to death as they suffocated. Raylin wasn’t a fan of space travel. Solid Galina ground was where she’d assumed she’d live and die. The loud sounds of the craft landing made her cringe. She was a Fabian telepath. Once upon a time that would’ve really meant something. Now she was worth less than the price of a crate of healthy naturally grown food, at least according to the bill of sale from the auction.

The filthy man pulled her from the shuttle and she gasped as the strange stale

breath of recycled air made her slightly light-headed. The odor of the unnatural

environment didn’t help her queasy stomach settle and she stumbled. She would have

thrown up if she’d eaten anything, but her last meal had been four days ago.

Virge grabbed her by the collar of her shirt and began ripping it.

“No! Don’t!” Raylin screamed, losing the battle to remain calm.

“What the hell is going on, Virge?” The tallest man she’d ever seen stood on a metal walkway above them. Hands on his hips, he glared down at them. He had piercing grey eyes, and his blond hair was crew cut. She noticed a slight scar on his chin. Something about him was frankly mesmerizing. If a man like that had purchased her, she might not be as ready to fight for her honor.

“Fuck off, Cap,” spat her captor.

“This is my ship. I know you’re new to the crew but I approve every passenger before they board.”

“She ain’t a passenger, she’s my woman.” Virge spoke with a hint of pride in his voice.

The man he’d called Cap made a scoffing noise. “Woman? I see a girl. She agreed to come to the Raven with you?”

“I bought her with my own take from the last cargo we reclaimed for Battalion.

She’s mine.”

Raylin hated them all. They were helping Battalion’s army. Privateers were no better than pirates, and it was because of “reclaimed” food shipments her people were starving.

“Damn it, Virge! I told you I don’t abide by human trafficking. We’re taking her back.”

Her captor pushed her and she fell forward on the metal grates, skinning her palms. He drew a weapon, an old and likely unstable laser. Before he’d fired one shot there was the single ping of his superior’s weapon and Virge fell back, one of his eye sockets sizzling where the fatal shot hit him.

Raylin pulled herself under the shuttle, panting with fear. This violent place wasn’t somewhere she wanted to be. Tears threatened and she choked them back. The sound of boots on the grating made her cringe. She didn’t know what they’d do to her now that her owner was dead.

“Come out,” the deep voice of the handsome man called Cap commanded her.

She stayed in the darkness of her hiding place. “I won’t hurt you, kid. I don’t abide those who hurt women.”

She could hear the sound of running.

“What happened?”

“Oh God!”

“Are you hurt?”

Multiple voices questioned the man who stood next to the shuttle. She listened.

“Virge bought a kid. When I told him I was taking her back he drew on me,” said the one called Cap.

“Idiot.”

“I never liked that slimeball.”

“A kid? Really? Perv.”

“Where’s the kid?”

“Under the shuttle. She’s probably half crazy considering the state Galina is in right now. God, I hope she doesn’t have the flesh-eater madness. I’ll put the bullet in her myself if she’s a flesh-eater.”

As weak and afraid as she was, her pride wouldn’t allow her to remain silent. “I

am not a savage! No Fabian would eat human flesh.”

“Good. Now come out here.” The man’s voice held a hint of irritation.

“I’m not going to let you rape me.”

“No one here’s going to hurt you, kid. Come out. Now. Come out.”

Raylin cried out as she felt a hand grasp her ankle, dragging her from the dark sanctuary in one swift motion. She tried to scramble away but strong arms held her tightly. “Don’t worry, kid. We’ll take you home.”

The realization of her pending return didn’t fill her with the joy it should’ve.

Raylin lost her battle and a keening sob broke free. A middle-aged woman rushed over and pulled her from the man called Cap’s arms. The woman cradled her lovingly. “The poor thing weighs nothing. We should at least feed her before we take her back there. Don’t cry, sweetie, we’ll get you home.”

Raylin cried harder. “They… they’ll… they’ll just… just sell… me… again,” she managed to choke out around her sobs.

The woman and the man called Cap exchanged a long quiet look. Raylin was too upset to get any hint of their thoughts.

“Turn this bird around, Zolly.” Zolly, a gawking, spindly, dark-haired man, rushed away.

“Wait!” the woman holding her called out. Zolly paused and turned back. “Just wait,” the woman said, handing her off to a kind-looking man.

“Don’t worry, kid, I won’t hurt you. My name is Owen,” he said as he took her from the woman.

The woman pulled the man called Cap, the obvious leader, aside. They spoke intensely for a moment. He was scowling when he stomped away from the kind woman.

“You know anything about a bird like this, kid?” The man addressed her directly.

“No.”

“Well, neither did Virge. He was a gunner. You ever shoot a gun?”

“No.”

“Think you’d be able to?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well, that’s a good enough answer for me. We’re hiring. You just inherited anything Virge has in his cabin, and whatever money is left in his pockets. His job is yours. If you don’t want it we’ll rock-drop you at the next stop, or if you want we can take you home. What will it be, kid?”

“I don’t have any papers.”

“I know a guy who can change that.”

Raylin thought for a moment. “All I can promise is to try my best to learn.”

“Honest. I like honest. I’ll try my best to teach. You’ll have your papers in a couple of days. Congratulations, today is your eighteenth birthday.”

“Uh, thanks.”

“You might not want to thank me yet. This won’t be an easy life for a little girl.”

“I’m Galinian; I haven’t ever been a little girl.”

He gave her a sad but amused smile. “Yeah, well just remember I’m not a nursemaid. This is Esta, she’s my right hand, and she’ll show you to your new quarters.”

“Thanks.”

“Like I said, hold off on the thanks.” He turned and walked away without another word.