Tag Archives: Shifter romance

TOUR & GIVEAWAY: Fur, Fangs & Mistletoe by Jessica Coulter Smith

Posted on by
1

 

 

When a struggling single mom and her adorable toddler get
snowed in with a grumpy wolf shifter, Christmas magic starts working overtime.

 

Fur, Fangs, &
Mistletoe

Christmas Cove Book 1

by Jessica Coulter Smith

Genre: Paranormal Holiday Romance

 

 

Escape to Christmas Cove, a cozy small town where magic,
shifters, and holiday romance collide.

After a painful breakup, Riley is ready for a fresh start in
Christmas Cove. All she wants is a peaceful life for herself and her
two-year-old daughter, Sabrina. Love isn’t on her holiday wish list. When she’s
stuck in a blizzard, help arrives in the form of Alex Conors — a protective,
brooding werewolf.

Snowed in with a grumpy shifter and a crackling fire, Riley
begins to see the gentle heart behind Alex’s fierce exterior… and Alex finds
himself falling for the brave single mom who awakens something he thought he
lost long ago.

Hot cocoa and toddler giggles turn strangers into something
more. But when Riley’s past resurfaces and threatens the safety she’s found,
Alex will have to prove that loyalty, love — and pack — are forever.

A warm, emotional holiday romance filled with shifter
charm, second chances, and the magic of Christmas. Ideal for fans of protective
alphas, found family, and heartfelt happily-ever-afters.

 

🏠 Small-town charm &
found family
🐺
Grumpy wolf + sunshine single mom
👩‍👧
Adorable toddler moments
🎁
Snowed-in & forced proximity
💕
Fated mates and holiday magic

 

Amazon * Apple
* B&N
* Kobo * Books2Read * Bookbub
* Goodreads

 

 
 

The sedan’s engine rattled — a sound Riley had learned to
distinguish from its other mechanical complaints over the past three states.
This particular rattle meant she’d make it another fifty miles, maybe more if
she kept her speed steady. Her knuckles had gone white on the steering wheel
somewhere around the state line, and she couldn’t remember now how to relax
them. The GPS showed their arrival in Christmas Cove, and Riley’s shoulders
tensed further, an automatic response to any declaration of reaching a
destination.

Dusk had settled over the town. Main Street stretched before
her, lined with Victorian storefronts that belonged in a Thomas Kincade
painting. White lights twisted around lampposts, and wreaths hung at precise
intervals, each decorated with the same combination of pine cones and red
ribbon. Fresh snow dusted the sidewalks in a way that seemed too perfect, too
deliberate. Riley checked her rearview mirror again — the same compulsive
glance she’d made every thirty seconds for the past six hours. Empty road. No
one following. No one cared where she went.

She drove slowly past the Sugar Moon Café, noting its warm
glow and the silhouettes of people inside. Past a bookstore with a display of
holiday romances in the window. Past a hardware store already closed for the
evening, its owner probably home with family, sitting down to dinner, living a
normal life. The thought made something twist in Riley’s chest, but she pushed it
down. Normal was a luxury she couldn’t afford to want.

The residential streets branched off from downtown. Riley
followed the GPS directions, checking the crumpled paper in her cup holder
against the street signs and the directions from the GPS. One too many times,
it had taken her the wrong way. Oak Street. Maple Avenue. Someone had named
these roads with an almost nauseating wholesomeness, as if determined to prove
the town’s charm. She turned onto Pine Ridge Road, where the houses grew
sparser and the forest pressed closer to the road.

A small sound from the backseat made Riley’s gaze dart to
the mirror. Sabrina stirred in her car seat, her head rolling to the side as
she woke from the nap that had mercifully consumed the last hour of driving.
Riley watched her daughter’s eyes flutter open, adjusting to the darkness and
the strange lights outside.

“Mama?” Sabrina’s voice carried that quality of toddler
confusion. Not quite upset, but teetering on the edge of it.

“We’re here, sweetie.” Riley forced warmth into her voice,
though her jaw ached from clenching. “Look at all the pretty lights.”

Sabrina pressed her mittened hands against the window,
leaving tiny smudges on the glass. “Lights!” She bounced in her seat as much as
the straps would allow. “Pretty, Mama! Pretty!”

“Very pretty.” Riley’s smile felt tight on her face. She
wanted to share her daughter’s uncomplicated joy, but she kept scanning the
streets, cataloging escape routes, noting which houses had lights on and which
sat dark. Old habits. Necessary habits.

The GPS announced their final turn, and Riley’s breath
caught. The cottage stood at the end of a short gravel drive, a small structure
someone’s grandfather had most likely built and barely maintained enough to
keep standing. A single porch light illuminated the front door, and beyond it,
the forest loomed.

Riley pulled into the driveway and killed the engine. The
sudden silence felt heavy, broken only by Sabrina’s humming as she kicked her
feet against her car seat. Riley sat motionless, her hands still gripping the
wheel, and studied their new home.

The cottage was smaller than the photos had suggested.
Single-story, with a chimney that leaned slightly to the left. The windows were
dark, revealing nothing of the interior. Snow had drifted against the front
steps, undisturbed except for what looked like animal tracks, probably a deer
or raccoon. The porch railing needed paint, and one shutter hung at an angle.

But for now the house was theirs. For six months, at least, with
the first month paid in advance with money Riley had saved from extra shifts
and skipped meals. Six months to figure out what came next. After that, she’d
have to either renew the lease, or move on to another town.

“Out, Mama!” Sabrina had moved past patient and into
demanding. “Out now!”

“Just a minute, baby.”

Riley scanned the neighboring properties. The nearest house
sat quite a distance down the road, its windows dark. On the other side,
nothing but forest. The isolation should have comforted her. Fewer people meant
fewer questions, fewer chances of being found. But instead, it made her
hyperaware of how alone they were. No witnesses if something went wrong. No one
to hear them scream.

She shook her head, dislodging the thought. Nothing was
going to go wrong. This was a fresh start in a quiet town where nobody knew her
name or her history. Where Sabrina could grow up without her mother constantly
looking over her shoulder.

 

 

Jessica Coulter Smith is an acclaimed romance writer with a
passion for storytelling. Her works showcase the power of love and its ability
to transcend boundaries, capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide. With a
unique writing style and perspective, Jessica continues to inspire and
entertain readers from all walks of life.

Find her online…

 

Website * Blog * Facebook * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon
* Goodreads

 

Follow the tour HERE for special content
and a $20 giveaway!

 
Enter the Fur, Fangs, & Mistletoe Giveaway Here
 

RELEASE BLITZ: Burn by Mychael Black

Posted on by

 

Author: Mychael Black

Cover Art: Bryan Keller

Genres: Action Adventure, Dark Fantasy, Mystery & Suspense, New Releases, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy

Themes: Dark Romance, LGBTQ+ /Sex/Gender Shifters & MPreg, LGBTQ+ Gay, Vampires

Series: Splintered Bloodlines (#1)

Book Length: Novella

Page Count: 77

Description

Humans and vamps were never meant to be mates, but an accidental meeting changes everything.

Cam Sharpe is just trying to make ends meet. Living in the city can easily break the bank, but that’s where the jobs are. It’s also where crime runs rampant. One night, he finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, putting him in the crosshairs of the city’s ruling vampire coven.

Nikolai Hart loves his job — maybe a little too much. When hunting a rogue proves to be a pain in the ass, he’s the one House Saridan brings in to find the unfortunate soul. The latest job, however, has hit a snag: a mortal has witnessed everything.

Excerpt

Burn (Splintered Bloodlines 1)
Mychael Black
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2025 Mychael Black

Cameron

I hated living in the city. There were too many people, most of whom couldn’t drive worth a damn. I barely managed to dodge a car that threatened to sideswipe me. I thought the asshole driver shouted something, but I just tossed the man a one-fingered salute. Rain pelted the city, which made deliveries a bit more complicated, especially on a bicycle. Still, the bike afforded me the chance to make it into tight spots a car could not. Traffic was a bitch, but that was city life. I’d been here for three years now and had managed to escape the need for a car. The exercise was good, at any rate.

I reached the towering apartment building and secured my bike to a lamppost. The expressionless doorman stood at the front. Dressed in a black tux, complete with white gloves, he fit right in with the building’s occupants.

Once inside, I flashed my badge hanging on its lanyard to the guard behind the desk and continued toward the elevators. A few well-dressed residents gave me a bit of the good ol’ side-eye, but I ignored them. Hell, I’d probably delivered dinner to them half a million times.

The elevator doors opened, and I held it for the others. When they didn’t move to enter, I shrugged and stepped inside, letting the doors close before they could change their haughty minds. I watched the display tick through the floor numbers until it reached the seventh floor. As soon as I exited, I heard music.

Down the hall, an apartment door opened, and a half-naked man waved. I met him and handed over the food.

“Wanna join?”

I laughed and shook my head. “Thanks, man, but I can’t. Still a few more hours before I can officially ‘clock out’ for the night.”

“You clock out?”

“Not really. I set my own hours, but this pays the bills, so, yeah, set times and all.”

“Ah.”

Shouts from inside cut the chat short. “Well, thanks!” the guy said, holding up the bag.

“No problem.”

Alone in the hall, I went back to the elevators. Thank the gods the tips were included in the app when ordering.

Back down on the street, I sighed. I wished I could stop for the night. I was tired, utterly sick of the damn rain, and hadn’t eaten in several hours. The sun had already set enough to make the streetlights come on along the sidewalks. I rolled the bike a few feet away from the lingering crowd and headed off to my next pick-up.

People swarmed the streets, most of them club hoppers. I’d done that years ago but had outgrown it. Random hook-ups in dark corners no longer satisfied me, but in a city this big, I wasn’t sure I’d ever find anyone who would. Most of the people I’d met so far were superficial and vain, perfectly content to spend a night getting laid by one person before moving on to the next.

An order came in, and the GPS piped up to let me know there was a shortcut to the restaurant. Happy to avoid the crowd, I turned down the alley the GPS designated. I ignored the few slumped figures along both sides. I’d learned the hard way a couple of years ago after a mugging not to carry cash. Now I only carried my ID, keys, phone, and a trusty can of mace.

The end of the alley branched left and right. The GPS told me to go left. Just as I started that way, commotion to the right startled me.

A tall, black-clad figure landed feet-first onto the wet pavement and grabbed a man from the ground. The man choked and struggled as the stranger spoke, voice low enough that I couldn’t hear what was said. Whatever it was, though, seemed to terrify the man he held captive.

The stranger growled — literally growled — and tore the man’s throat wide open with his fucking teeth.

I nearly wrecked the bike trying to get away. I pedaled as fast as my legs could, and the burn was almost too much. I reached the Chinese restaurant and stuck as close to the building as possible. After a few seconds of struggling to catch my breath, I locked my bike to a lamppost before heading inside.

I had zero doubt that I’d just seen a vampire executing someone. Vamps weren’t unknown, but they tended to keep to themselves. They also weren’t anything like what stories and movies portrayed them to be. Real vampires weren’t undead; they were an entirely different species. Stronger, faster, and far more deadly than any human could ever dream of being.

Safe in the restaurant, I shot a quick glance back out the door. Whatever I’d just witnessed wasn’t my business. Not like cops would do shit anyway. Vamps governed themselves, and the police were scared shitless of them.

Pushing it out of my mind for now, I shuddered and headed to the counter. Ten minutes later, I was on my way to the drop-off point. Despite needing the money, I ended my shift after handing over the food. Just before I left the area, though, I caught sight of the stranger from the alley. Those eyes locked onto mine.

Hopping onto the bike, I made a beeline for my tiny efficiency apartment. It wasn’t much, but it had a wonderfully huge deadbolt on the door.

I leaned back against the door as soon as I locked it. Eyes closed, I tried to get rid of the images from the alley. It wasn’t the first crime I’d seen in this damned city, but it was definitely the first time a vampire had been involved. At least that I knew of, at any rate.

“Get a grip, Cam,” I muttered. “Not the first, won’t be the last.”

I pushed off the door and tossed my keys onto the narrow bar separating the kitchenette from the living area. I couldn’t even call it an actual room, really. The only true room was the bathroom, and even that was about the size of a small walk-in closet. Overall, the place wasn’t much, but it was home and, to be honest, all I could afford.

Before I could contemplate dinner or a shower, my grumbling stomach made up its own mind. A quick glance in the fridge, and then the freezer, reminded me that I needed to hit the store down the block sooner rather than later. I didn’t cook, despite knowing how to, since it was just me here. Most of my meals tended to be sandwiches or frozen dinners, or, if money allowed, something quick while I was working. Tonight, though, peanut butter and jelly would have to do.

A few minutes later, I settled onto the futon that doubled as my bed and watched the news on my only splurge: a smart TV. I nibbled on my meager dinner as one report after another went on. I popped the last bite into my mouth, only to nearly choke on it.

The same dark-clad figure I’d seen in the alley was positioned behind one of the head vamps in the city during a news conference that, according to the info at the bottom of the screen, occurred earlier today. The muscle-bound watchdog stood ready to spring to action at the slightest hint of trouble.

Pitch black hair hung over broad shoulders, and the man’s five-o’clock shadow covered a stern, tight jawline. Eyes that looked almost as black as his hair seemed to scan the entire room. Though he kept his hands behind him, I could imagine those strong arms tensing. And he was tall. Jesus, he was fucking tall. Even more than the vampire in front of him. A morbid desire to stare up into those insanely dark eyes swept through me.

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Bad thoughts. Bad thoughts. Vamps are fucking trouble.”

I changed the channel and found a nature documentary instead. Maybe watching meerkats would cleanse my brain of insane ideas like wanting to unwrap all those muscles.

Gods, I was nuts.

Purchase at Changeling Press

Meet the Author

Mychael Black has been writing professionally since 2005. He writes gay romance and erotica, but also het romance as Carys Seraphine and queer fantasy as Katherine Cook.

He’s an avid PC gamer with a love for RPGs, a horror fanatic, and a fantasy nut. He also has a weakness for anything relating to skulls, dogs, and Spongebob Squarepants.

Mychael lives on the Eastern Shore of the US with his family. He loves to hear from readers, be it via email or Facebook.

Website | Facebook

Giveaway

One lucky winner will receive a $10.00 Changeling Press Gift Code!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TEASER TUESDAY: Bewitched by the Bear by Jessica Coulter Smith #ShifterRomance

Posted on by

A Paranormal Women’s Fiction / Shifter Romance Novella

Date to be Published: November 17, 2023

Publisher: Changeling Press

 

 

 

Discover the power of true love in this spellbinding tale of magic and
adventure.

All Amara wants is to live a life of adventure, without being tied down.
With the dark fae relentlessly pursuing her, she needs a place to hide. Her
gram’s cottage seems like the perfect spot, but the old witch’s
words leave Amara unsettled — What you seek is in Cutter’s
Creek.

Alpha bear shifter Hale is determined to safeguard those closest to him.
His life takes an unexpected turn when he crosses paths with a captivating
witch. Enchanted by her very presence, he’s unable to banish her from
his thoughts.

As destiny ties them together, not even the dark fae will destroy their
newfound happiness.

Uncover the magic in this fast-paced, insta-love story that’s sure to
warm your heart.

 

Publisher’s Note: Bewitched by the Bear is based on the previously
published short story Ruby and the Bear. Bewitched has been expanded and is
now twice the length of the original story, complete with a new ending and
steamier scenes. No cheating and a guaranteed happily ever after!

 

 

 

Excerpt

Lunar Cycle’s dance floor cleared the moment the wolf and the bear
began circling one another. Hale Klein watched as his cousin, Duncan Hunt,
flexed his claws in his partially shifted wolf state. It took a hell of a
lot of anger to hold a partial shift, and Hale figured Duncan had to be
running on pure rage. He had to admit, he had it coming. Hale didn’t
know what had come over him since losing his father, but something inside
him had twisted. He’d taken a lucrative business of being a security
consultant and warped it. For years, he’d been a gun for hire, for the
right price, regardless of whether he was fighting on the side of good or
bad. But as his cousin faced him, fighting for the place of alpha within the
pack, he realized perhaps he’d gone too far. His hold, at first, had
been tenuous, as the adopted son of the rightful alpha.

This fight wasn’t pointless, exactly, but Hale could think of better
things to fight over — no woman was worth bloodshed. Not that’d
he’d wanted Marissa. It was more that Duncan had wanted her, and
suddenly she’d become the most attractive of women to Hale. He loved
rubbing his cousin’s nose in his alpha status, but this time,
he’d overstepped. Even he could admit it to himself at any rate.
Tricking Marissa into his bed and then tossing her aside like
yesterday’s garbage might not have been the best of plans. In his
defense, she’d been eager enough. If she’d truly loved Duncan,
she would have never strayed.

Looking back, Hale had to say that he wasn’t proud of himself. As
he’d gotten to know Marissa, he’d realized what a sweet girl she
was, and she truly hadn’t deserved what Hale had done to her. Even
still, her heart hadn’t completely belonged to Duncan. Hale had to
wonder if she’d only accepted his cousin because of his status in the
pack. Either way, was it really Hale’s fault she’d run away?
Duncan seemed to think so.

“Your reign over the Silver Crescent Pack is at an end,” Duncan
growled through his shifted snout. “It’s time for justice to
come to our lands.”

And you think you’re the wolf for the job? Hale taunted
telepathically. No one had been able to beat him in the seventy years
he’d been on this earth — what wolf could beat a bear? — and
definitely not in the twenty years he’d held the position of alpha.
What made his cousin think today would be any different?

“It’s time for a wolf to rule the wolves.” Duncan snapped
his jaws.

Bring it!

Duncan lunged at him, arms opening wide, claws brandished like the weapons
they were. Hale was bulky in his current form, but he also had power the
wolf couldn’t hope to match. Rising to his hind feet, Hale towered
over his cousin. Swiping out with a paw, he caught Duncan right across the
cheek, his claws sliding into the wolf’s skin like butter, leaving
three perfect slashes.

The wolf howled in outrage, twisting to come at Hale once more. Before the
bear could scramble out of the way, the wolf’s claws embedded in his
sides, leaving gouges in his tough hide. Hale snarled and broke free,
spinning to immediately launch another attack at his cousin. As his massive
bear paws arced through the air, his cousin charged.

Hale braced himself for the impact, claws aimed right for his
cousin’s flanks, their razor-sharp points digging into meat and
muscle. Duncan howled in outrage again, this time falling to his knees
before the bear. Hale didn’t want to kill his cousin. He only wanted
to prove a point. Opening his jaws wide, he fitted his mouth around
Duncan’s neck, forcing the other shifter to his hands and knees in
supplication. Hale growled long and low, not stopping until Duncan whimpered
in defeat.

Backing away from his whipped cousin, Hale shifted back to his human form.
Towering over the shifter now covered in wounds, Hale flexed his muscles,
ignoring the twinge in his sides from his open wounds, and kept his gaze
steady as he stared down at Duncan.

“Are we done?” he asked.

Duncan changed back to his fully human form and nodded. “We’re
done.”

“I’m sorry Marissa ran away, Duncan, and I’m sorry for
taking her from you. But there is no way that woman was your mate. If she
was, she wouldn’t have fallen into bed with me so easily. She would
have fought to be by your side, not caring whether or not the alpha was
interested in her. All she wanted was power, despite her sweet nature.
Females are all the same. They want the strongest in the pack, unless they
find their true-mate. Then no other male will do.”

“You don’t know that she wasn’t –”

“Yes, I do. And if you think about it, you’ll realize it too.
Since you’re worse off than I am, I’ll let you see the healer
first. Get your wounds tended and go home.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

Shaking his head in disgust, Hale turned, grabbed his shredded clothes off
the floor, and made his way through the crowd and outside the club. It
wouldn’t be the first time he’d driven home naked, and he
doubted it would be the last. There would always be someone wanting to
challenge him, someone thinking they were bigger, tougher. It hurt that his
cousin had been the one to instigate a fight with him. They’d fought
over the years, but it had always been more like sibling rivalry, not a
to-the-death fight over being alpha.

Hale dug his keys out of his pants pocket and slid into the large truck in
the parking lot. As the door slammed shut, he tossed his clothing on the
passenger’s seat and put his key into the ignition. The engine turned
over and he backed out of the space, then pulled out of the lot. He knew he
should just head home, to the alpha’s house in town, and call it a
night, but he wanted solitude, time to think, time to regroup. Being the
alpha meant he had an open-door policy, ensuring his pack could come to him
for whatever they needed regardless of the time. Change was coming. He could
feel it in the air, and he wasn’t certain if it was the good kind or
the bad kind.

About the Author

Jessica Coulter Smith is an acclaimed romance writer with a passion for
storytelling. Her works showcase the power of love and its ability to
transcend boundaries, capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide. With a
unique writing style and perspective, Jessica continues to inspire and
entertain readers from all walks of life.

Author on Facebook

Author on Instagram

Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok:
@changelingpress

Pre-Order Today

 

 

NEW RELEASE: Shifting Forces by Cassidy McKay #shifters #romance

Posted on by

Shifting Forces (Protect and Serve 8)

A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novella

Aurora Monroe has detailed plans for her life — and not one of them includes being barefoot, pregnant and under the thumbs of two decidedly alpha males. But what’s a girl to do when she has two sexy shifters both trying to claim mating rights?

When two paranormals on opposite sides of the war save an injured human, they unintentionally mark her as their wife. Bonded by blood, fire and passion, the gryphon and phoenix shifters do everything they can to keep their new human mate safe.

Getting her to go along with the plan is a different matter. She has no intention of following their orders. Found in defiance of both human laws and paranormal traditions, the battle for their rights turns into a fight for their lives.

Sex between a human and her two shifters can be spectacular, but is it worth risking everything for a chance at forever?

Excerpt

Varick’s Blog

“Paranormals are just like us. They deserve equal rights, equal status under the law, and no less than our full understanding and cooperation!” I watch from the outskirts, close enough to hear, but not a part of the crowd. A smattering of applause greets the pretty redhead as she finishes her speech on the stairs in front of the white columned government building.

A heated, spicy tingle warms my body as she steps down, her nipples tight and visible in the oh-so-proper sweater she wears over a blouse against the chill wind. Staid, gray slacks demurely outline her curvy figure. Mmm. Definitely my kind of woman… proper on the outside, but all fiery and full of fight on the inside.

Only a few dozen people brave enough to show up for the rally now stand in the square. It’s mostly your typical malcontents and troublemakers, but there are a few who look like they might actually give a damn.

I can’t decide whether the woman has balls of steel or is dangerously naive. More than likely, a little of both. A tall, unkempt man makes his way to the front of the group, standing on the concrete base of a light pole like a monkey, spouting obscenities and tossing crap about how humans are better than paras. The crowd grows, becoming restless as the man yells, gaining the attention of the cops outside City Hall.

I stay in the shadows of the storefront across the street, where I can watch without being seen. Easier said than done most times, but I’ve gotten good at it. Most of us have. Coming out as a paranormal isn’t a fashionable, celebrity thing to do anymore. It’s a life sentence. The government took care of that. So much for equality.

I’m Varick Gerard. Used to be a paramedic, but now I’m labeled a criminal. Just because I’m a shifter, I was legally forced out of my profession, my home, and the comfortable life I once lived. Phoenix shifters aren’t inherently evil. Given the choice, I’d rather save lives than take them. I don’t like to fight. While some of the other paras here live for nothing else, it just isn’t my thing. I don’t steal, I don’t destroy things, and I don’t kill people unnecessarily. I may have lost everything else, but I still have my principles.

Me, I’m a loner. It’s a phoenix thing. Most of us are. I don’t mind being around people, I’m just not into long-term commitments. Sex? Yeah, I’m definitely into that. I can burn up a bed like nobody’s business. And that woman up there — she’d be right at the center of my pyre of passion on most days.

But not today. Something’s in the air, I can feel it. I’ve been chased out of more cities than I can remember, just because I choose to survive. What’s left of the local police force musters in front of the building. Riot shields and batons at the ready, the leader shouts into a megaphone for the crowd to disperse. Chaos has a strong following in this town.

The cops advance in a restless, unsteady line — a phalanx of toy human soldiers pitting themselves against the evil paranormals. Same shit, different location. That isn’t what’s bothering me, though. There’s something else, just on the edge… It’s like I can almost feel it, taste it, but it keeps slipping past me.

“Hey, phoenix-dude, come on! The goon-squad is coming out to play.” A short, pimply vampire pauses, motioning for me to join the unruly mob gathering in the shadows, waiting for their chance to pick someone off.

He’s annoying — hangs around all the time, always trying to get me to kill something with him. I think he just wants to see what a phoenix can do. Lucky for him, I’m not really a joiner. “No thanks, I’m heading out. Good luck with that.”

He shrugs and sprints off, his fangs standing at attention and ready to rumble. Idiot. Time to leave this burg. I don’t need the cops on my ass or any more problems than I already have. It’s not worth the trouble.

A woman’s annoyed yell yanks me to attention. “Leave me alone! I haven’t done anything wrong!” The redhead struggles against one of the officers, landing a solid whack on his neck where the protective gear doesn’t protect.

My smile fights to break free — the girl’s a fighter, all right.

“Submit willingly, Miss, and you’ll just be charged with disorderly conduct.”

The cop doesn’t look old enough to have graduated high school, let alone wear a badge. He can’t seem to decide between juggling his shield, going on to a more willing arrestee, or grabbing his cuffs and taking his chances against the wildcat.

My bet is on the girl.

About the Author

Cassidy lives in the beautiful state of Washington and is surrounded by mysterious rain forests, tempestuous oceans and enough gorgeous scenery to inspire stories for at least another two hundred years.

She’s been reading romances since she was thirteen, and writing them since she was fifteen. However, the serious writing bug didn’t bite until much later in life, inspired by her talented husband (who is also a writer!).

BOOK TOUR: Smoke by Sara Jaeger #PNR #shifters @RRBookTours1

Posted on by

It’s finally launch week and we are so excited for Sarah Jaeger and the release of her debut novel, Smoke! Read on for more info!

Smoke (The Ardelean Bloodlines)

Publication Date: March 23rd, 2023

Genre: Shifter Romance/ Paranormal Romance

Thalia

Apparently ignoring my parents’ politics wasn’t the right move. Shifters were outed to the public, and months later, I’m still unsure what the big deal is about.

Now my life is in danger and the only one who can protect me is the true king of the wolves.

Cade is nothing like what my mom and the press show shifters to be. He’s thoughtful, reserved… and have you seen his butt in those jeans?

Cade

Having abdicated the throne, I’ve vowed to stay out of shifter politics.

Now, my sole responsibility, for the next six weeks, is to make sure no idiots can completely derail the deal I’ve cut with the one woman holding all the cards.

The problem is… the threats against Thalia Clark are nothing compared to the danger of my wolf, now that he’s claimed this human as his.

I’ll kill to protect my mate, but is keeping up my end of the deal enough to save her?

Smoke is the first book in the Ardelean Bloodline series. While this story does contain an HEA for Cade and Thalia, there is an ongoing plot connecting each book in the series. Each book will need to be read in order. There are open door, explicit scenes as well as colorful language not intended for young readers.

Add to Goodreads

Excerpt

What is she thinking about? Is it what we talked about with Ansel or something more? I step closer, testing her guarded nature. “Country life is dull. I don’t exactly work here, which means I’m pretty much stuck to whatever chores Ansel’s left around the house, and you’re left to whatever sanity-keeping activities you can find. I guess if you’re feeling adventurous . . .” I shrug. “Have you ever been to Arches?”

“No, I’ve heard it’s beautiful, but this is my first time in Utah.”

Thalia’s eyes light up, and I know the answer.

“Would you like to go today?” I ask slowly.

Thalia starts nodding. I smile, seeing her excitement. “Ansel’s right, it’s been too long since I’ve given The Leviathan a little bit of time to run. Plus, I think it would be beneficial for you to meet a wolf, in a positive environment, with someone who’s in control before someone else can further taint the experience. I know Sherman was a little upsetting for you. I can ask Ansel or Ezra, but their wolves are pretty scary looking if you’re not used to looking at wolves.” I pause and give her a smirk licking my bottom lip before sighing. “They’re also not really fucking fluffy.”

“Did you just ask me to take your wolf on a walk?” she returns with a sly smile, raising an eyebrow.

Her comment catches me off guard, and my face heats. There are so many different ways I could answer. But she started it. Thalia was comfortable enough with me to crack a joke. I shrug and release my bottom lip from between my teeth.

Tell our mate. The Leviathan encourages with the image of a ceremonial collar wrapping around Thalia’s neck. I feel him brush and know my eyes just went gold.

My version is dirtier. “Not quite. I’m not following any of the leash laws. And if anyone will be doing any collaring, it’ll be me clasping one around your neck. If there’s going to be any tying, it’ll be you to the bed, while I show you all the ways I can make you scream my name.”

A chill rips through Thalia’s body, and she shudders, her whole body standing taller. I step into her personal space. Thalia wobbles, looking up at me. I watch her wet her bottom lip with her tongue. Drawing a deep breath, I catch the scent of her arousal.

The Leviathan paces. Give mate wolf, we run together.

“Easy, Draga Mea.” I kiss her forehead. When I step back, I see her trying to figure out the cute nickname The Leviathan’s given her. Only having the briefest memory of Romanian spoken in the home growing up, even I had to look it up. My Darling. I could tell her, but I’m not sure she’s ready.

A backpack, snacks, water, and a trip to the restroom later, I walk Thalia out of the house and to the garage. The classic pickup truck Ansel loves so much is right where it always is. Thalia seems impressed when the old Ford roars to life. I just smile. Ansel’s love for this truck runs deep, and I’d be surprised if it didn’t turn over.

We’re somewhere farther onto Ansel’s property and close to the border with the national park. It’s a gamble that we may come across someone. It’s not common for tourists to make it out this far, but we’ll have to be in the national park to see some cool rock formations. It’s selfish and maybe a bit cocky to risk bringing her into public like this, but I want her to have a positive experience. I know The Leviathan is set on wanting to give her a wolf, but not so badly that he would sabotage all the progress we’re making in having her accept wolves and what this life looks like.

We find Ansel’s secret entrance to Arches National Park. It’s denoted by an old wooden trunk tucked off the side of the gravel trail behind some scrub brush.

Putting the old Ford in park, I turn in my seat to look at her. “Two rules.”

Thalia’s eyes go wide, and there’s the smallest hint of fear.

“Okay . . .” She draws out the last syllable.

“Don’t run. The Leviathan will chase. I’m worried he’ll push you down and you’ll get hurt. Humans are breakable compared to wolves, and even a friendly little shove could hurt you,” I caution.

Thalia nods. “The second one?”

“Breathe.” I lock eyes with her. “Enjoy this and know I’m here.”

Available on Amazon

Order Print, Digital, & Swag from Sarah’s Shop!

About the Author

Apparently, to be an author one must have a bio. Well, I’m human despite the fact that I wish to be a shifter. I have an issue with the way some words are shaped. And that means sometimes, they must be spelled incorrectly to be right. This is something I’m passionate about. So, we’ll get along fine! Oh, yeah: Midwest USA, married, all fur babies.

​The Ardelean Bloodline is Sarah Jaeger’s debut series

Sarah Jaeger

Linktree  – Playlists, Pinterest Boards and More!

Book Tour Schedule

March 20th

R&R Book Tours (Kick-Off) http://rrbooktours.com

@ayana.guerra_booklovers (Review) https://www.instagram.com/ayana.guerra_booklovers/

Life of a Book Dragon (Review) https://lifeofabookdragonreviews.wordpress.com/

@bookishlyrieka (Review) https://www.instagram.com/bookishlyrieka/

@plungeintobooks (Review) https://www.instagram.com/plungeintobooks/

I Smell Sheep (Spotlight) http://www.ismellsheep.com/

March 21st

@disneyallthe_way (Review) https://www.instagram.com/disneyallthe_way/

@lillian_reads_and_writes (Review) https://www.instagram.com/lillian_reads_and_writes/

Bunny’s Reviews (Review) https://bookwormbunnyreviews.blogspot.com/

@nono_the_booklover (Review) https://instagram.com/nono_the_booklover?igshid=ZDdkNTZiNTM=

March 22nd

@kat_deeann (Review) https://www.instagram.com/kat_deeann/?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE%3D

@honeybee.reads (Review) https://www.instagram.com/honeybee.reads/

@booktreasuresau (Spotlight) https://www.instagram.com/booktreasuresau/

Taylor’s Book Reviews (Spotlight) https://www.bookreviewsbytaylor.com/

March 23rd

@heather_edw (Review) https://www.instagram.com/heather_edw/?hl=en

@katslovesbooks (Review) https://www.instagram.com/katslovesbooks/

@vinamkent_author (Review) https://www.instagram.com/vinamkent_author/

@over.on.my.bookshelf (Spotlight) https://www.instagram.com/over.on.my.bookshelf/?hl=en

March 24th

Liliyana Shadowlyn (Review) https://lshadowlynauthor.com/

@mandioyster (Review) https://www.instagram.com/mandioyster/

@paulalearmouth (Review) https://www.instagram.com/paulalearmouth/

@booksndarksouls (Review) https://www.instagram.com/booksndarksouls/

I Love Books & Stuff (Spotlight) https://ilovebooksandstuffblog.wordpress.com

Rambling Mads (Spotlight)  http://ramblingmads.com

Book Tour Organized By:

R&R Book Tours

Anima Instinct by AJ Graham #shifters #DarkFantasy #LGBTQ @changelingpress

Posted on by

Animal Instinct by AJ Graham
Published by Changeling Press
Cover Art by Bryan Keller
Genres/Themes: Shifters, Dark Fantasy, Paranormal Romance,
Bisexual, Multisexual & Pansexual, Gay, Werewolves & Wolf Shifters

Sometimes the shape of desire isn’t human. While shifter desires are dark and intense, humans can be fragile, but adventurous.

Runaway: Werewolf lovers on the run, Keith and Taylor must fight for their lives and their freedom.

Eyes of the Wolf: Kaila would do anything to save her people, even give herself to the barbarian leader of the Wolf Clan…

Wolf’s Promise: Ashrin knows Shana is his mate, and he’ll do whatever it takes to be with the woman he loves.

Half-Blood: A half-human shifter can’t afford to trust anyone. Yet Haden must find a mate or die.

Dante Burning: Love between humans and shifters is complicated… and wild.

Publisher’s Note: Animal Instinct (Box Set) contains the previously published novellas Runaway, Eyes of the Wolf, Wolf’s Promise, Half-Blood, and Dante Burning.

Praise for Runaway

“This is a very good story to add to anyone’s werewolf collection.”–Lydia, Rainbow Reviews

Praise for Eyes of the Wolf

“Eyes of The Wolf was an amazing read…. Well done!”— Noelle, Night Owl Reviews

Praise for Wolf’s Promise

“I enjoyed every page of Wolf’s Promise… an intense and enjoyable voyage into a fantasy world of virgins and demons.”— Stephanie E., Fallen Angel Reviews

EXCERPT

All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2022 AJ Graham
Excerpt from Dante Burning

I had to be dreaming. If I were awake, Devin’s head wouldn’t be between my legs, his full lips stretched around my aching cock, my fingers clenched in his shaggy wheat-brown hair. If this was real, he wouldn’t be looking at me like that, gazing up through a veil of soft, dusky lashes, eyes smoky with lust.

I watched his smooth, flushed cheeks draw inward, sucking me deeper.

God, he was beautiful.

I didn’t want to wake up, but I could feel the cold fingers of reality prying their way into my head in the form of a monstrous, throbbing hangover. I tried to hang onto the dream, but the dull red pulse behind my eyes wouldn’t be ignored. It dragged me, kicking and struggling, back to wakefulness. The blood banged in my head.

Oh man.

“Te? Te, are you all right?”

Devin’s voice. He was the only one who ever called me Te. To the rest of the world, even my mom, I was Dante.

I’ve always loved the way Devin said my name — the tap of tongue against teeth, the soft exhalation of air. Though at the moment, I wasn’t in any condition to appreciate it.

I opened my eyes a crack, then slammed them shut as sunlight blinded me. It looked like the sun had just gone supernova outside our apartment. “Ugh. Daylight.”

“Hang on…” I heard a rustle as he pulled the curtains shut, and the room got marginally less bright. “How’s that?”

“Better.” It still felt like white-hot needles were stabbing my eyes, but the needles were a bit less sharp now. There are certain things that go along with being a cat-shifter. One of those things is enhanced senses. A nice perk, most of the time. Not so nice when you’ve got a hangover.

A cool, damp cloth draped over my brow, and I sighed with relief. “Thanks.” I pried my sleep-crusty eyelids open and found myself looking into a pair of big gray eyes. Same ones from my dream. But instead of being glassy with passion, they just looked worried.

“What did you do last night?” he asked.

I gave him a strained smile. “Better not to ask.”

Most of the night was a blur, but I knew I’d done a lot of Mezcal shots. Mezcal is like tequila’s tougher, dirtier big brother. It’s smoky and earthy and burns a molten trail down your throat. It’s that stuff on liquor store shelves that usually has a worm or a scorpion floating in the bottle.

Had I actually eaten that scorpion on a dare? I hoped that was just a dream.

Devin bit his lower lip. “Te… are you okay?”

I looked away, knowing he was asking about more than the hangover. And I couldn’t blame him for worrying. This was — what, the third time this week I’d come home shit-faced? The worst thing was, he didn’t know the half of what I did or why I did it. I drank to numb myself, to forget. To blunt other urges.

I thought about the dream, and the guilt came rising up to choke me. My gaze flicked to his lips; then I quickly looked away. Thank God there’d been a blanket over me when I woke, or he might have seen the evidence.

I might be a cat, but just then, I felt more like a pig.

“I’m okay,” I muttered. “I’ve got it under control.”

He lowered his gaze. The guilt twisted in my chest like a knife.

Devin. My roommate, my best friend since third grade, the only person in the world I trusted enough to let near me while I was feeling this shitty… and the man whose body I secretly craved more than anything in the world.

No, not just his body. That might be easier. I wanted him. His mind, his soul. I wanted everything. But it wasn’t going to happen. So I did what I always did: I bundled up those feelings and tucked them away in the deepest, darkest drawer of my brain. Captain Denial, that’s me.

“You should eat something,” Devin said.

I made a face. He was probably right, but at the moment, food sounded like the most disgusting thing in the world. “Don’t think I could.”

“Have some toast, at least. Please?”

That tone melted me every time. He could wind me around his little finger like a piece of taffy, and he didn’t even know it. “I’ll try. Not promising it’ll stay down, though.”

I started to sit up, but he pushed me gently back to the bed. At the pressure of his hands on my shoulders, my heart jumped.

“Don’t move. I’ll take care of it.”

I sank back to the bed, closed my eyes, and nodded, wondering for the thousandth time what I’d done to deserve someone as good as him.

He brought me buttered cinnamon toast and a big glass of milk, and he sat and waited as I munched and sipped. I was hungrier than I’d realized, and once I’d had a few bites, my stomach settled.

“Don’t you have class?” I asked through a mouthful of toast.

“It’s Saturday.”

“Oh. Right.” I sank back to the bed and draped an arm over my face. I didn’t have work today either. Good thing too. If I stumbled into the pub in this condition, Rosaline would fire my fuzzy ass.

I moved my arm away from my face, enough to peer up at Devin through one bleary eye. I’d adjusted to the sunlight, and I could see the way it caught in his hair and highlighted the curve of his cheek, his neck. I knew from experience how soft that skin was. Over the years, we’d brushed against each other so many times — his hand grazing mine, our bare arms pressing lightly together as we sat side by side. I knew what he would feel like. And he was wearing a soft blue sweater, the sort of thing that would be easy to slide my hands beneath and —

I slammed the door shut on that thought, but it was too late. My hard-on was back, in spite of the raging inferno in my head.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

AJ Graham has a passion for cold weather, unusual beers, and anything otherworldly.  Dragons, demons, shapeshifters and psychics have always populated their imagination, but sometimes the real world can be just as fascinating and mysterious.  And no matter the genre, AJ has always loved stories about soulmates connecting.  Whether it’s instant, explosive passion or a slow burn, the power of two (or more) minds and bodies coming together to form a greater whole is always a story worth telling.  AJ lives in the Chicago suburbs with their husband.

Book Blitz: Mate for the Howlidays by Jessica Coulter Smith #shifters #eroticromance #holidayromance @kitcatjms @changelingpress

Posted on by



Mate for the Howlidays
Jessica Coulter Smith
Published by: Changeling Press
Publication date: December 17th 2021
Genres: Adult, Holiday, Paranormal, Romance

Dex and Dane couldn’t be more different. One is motorcycle boots, leather, and all things wild. The other is a cowboy hat wearing sweetheart who owns the local bar. And Kizzie is the lucky lady who gets to keep them both!

When she moved back to Wolf Hollow, she only wanted a fresh start. Not once did she ever imagine she’d up being mated to two wolves, and just in time for the holidays!

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

—

EXCERPT:

“What are you thinking?” Dex asked.

She smiled wistfully. “That it must be great to have someone love you so much they want to spend the rest of their lives with you. I’ve never had a relationship last past a few weeks. I can’t imagine finding someone who would want me around forever.”

He watched her silently for a moment before hooking an arm around her waist and hauling her up against his body. “Angel, anyone would be lucky to have a woman like you. We might have just met, but I can tell you have class and style, and you seem sweet.”

The champagne glass in her hand fell to the ground as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Suddenly, she couldn’t think of anything she wanted more than to taste his lips on hers. When his head lowered, she went up on tiptoe to meet him halfway. Their lips met, pressing together, then his moved against hers in a gentle caress. Her tongue swept over his lower lip and he opened, deepening the kiss. Her fingers toyed with the ends of his hair as his tongue slid along the length of hers. Kizzie felt lightheaded and clung to him tighter. She heard the clink of a bottle hitting the ground, then his hands caressed her waist, stroking up her back until one hand cupped the back of her head. She’d never felt so on fire before.


Author Bio:

Award-winning author Jessica Coulter Smith has been in love with the written word since she was a child writing her first stories in crayon. If Jessica isn’t writing, then she’s like reading. Her favorite books are romances, but she also enjoys the occasional mystery or general fiction book. Romance is an integral part of her world and she firmly believes that love will find you at the right time, even if Mr. Right is literally out of this world.

You can also follow her blog, Books + Coffee = Happiness, to learn about new releases and discover new authors! http://bookscoffeehappiness.com

Sign up for her newsletter to find out about Jessica’s new releases, sales, and the occasional free book! http://eepurl.com/gTXJhT or visit her online at http://www.jessicacoultersmith.com

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram


GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Hosted by:

New at Changeling Press: Alpha Vol. 1 by Reva Harte #shifters #paranormalromance @HarteTreva

Posted on by

Four blazing hot stories of werewolf packs in the wilds of West Texas…

Walk Away: When Dek left her, Leila vowed never to fall for an animal like him again. But now he’s back, and resistance seems futile. Dek needs her, and he’s not about to take no for an answer.

Stay: Lowell doesn’t think any woman can accept the kind of guy he’s turned out to be, but Lin knows she’s more than ready to be his mate.

Home: Rome no longer fits with pack politics. Just his luck both Grey and Mia are determined to bring him back.

Hunted Down: Dunne wants his Alpha as much as Hunt wants him, but he can’t live with Hunt’s latest fetish… at least not until Hunt convinces him otherwise.

Get the paperback at Amazon

EXCERPT

Copyright ©2021 Treva Harte
Excerpt from Walk Away

Dek wasn’t normal. Wasn’t safe.

The first time she’d met him, she’d known. Of course, he had made it pretty obvious when he tried to kill her stepfather…

* * *

“I tell you, I saw the little b — booger turn. I’m bleeding from where he attacked me. Damn it, he’s dangerous.” Rod’s red face turned even redder in the silence that met his words. He swung toward her. “You were there! Tell the cop! Go on, girl.”

She swallowed. She hated his sweaty face. Hated the piggish eyes that glared at her right now. They might be under the same roof, but that didn’t mean she had to like pretending he was kin. She didn’t have to enjoy living with him, listening to him… obeying him.

“Damn you, girl, if you don’t talk up, I swear –”

She took a half-step back. The policeman put his hand on her shoulder, and she tried not to flinch. The eyes under the police cap were all right. They were searching her up and down, but they were human eyes. They might even be kind. She took a deep breath.

“Tell me what you saw… Leila, is it? Don’t be afraid.”

“Yes, sir. That’s me. I-I didn’t see anything. I mean, I came in and I saw Rod — I mean, my stepdad — screaming and swearing and bleeding. I didn’t really look at anything else.”

“How the hell did you miss what was going on, you stupid sl — child?” Fascinated, Leila watched his red face slowly turn purple. She waited for her stepfather’s head to blow off. Instead he whirled and pointed at the one person left in the room who hadn’t said anything. “I tell you, he went for my throat. You think something human went for me like this?”

Leila stared at the bleeding wounds.

“He tried to jump me.” Dek’s voice was whisper-soft. “Rape me. I fought back. What else could I do?”

“You see any of that, Leila?” The policeman sounded safe. But he wasn’t. No one was safe. Leila knew that.

What should she do?

“I… No, sir.” Her voice firmed. “Nothing.”

“Your stepdad ever try to hurt you the way the boy here said?” The cop’s voice hardened.

Jesus. He was smarter than she’d expected. Or else Rod had what he was like written all over him. Written so clear that anyone could see. Except Mom. Mom always believed Rod.

Leila gazed down.

“No, sir.” But she let her voice get more Southern and liquid. Let her lips tremble as she said that final word. She knew what it sounded like with that little catch over the syllable.

The cop’s breath audibly hissed.

“I’m the one who is bleeding here!” Rod’s voice rose. “Arrest that mongrel bastard.”

“I’ll have the authorities take him back to the County. I’m taking you in for questioning.” The policeman didn’t take his eyes off Rod. “Step outside for a minute with me, Mr. Voss.”

“What the f — hell!”

His voice faded a little as he got outside. Leila shut her eyes, tried to pretend she was alone and everything was all right. She’d made a decision, and now she’d have to live with whatever happened next.

“I owe you.” Dek’s whispery voice cut through her self-protective shell, and she opened her eyes.

She stared at the slight teenager who was maybe a year or two older than her. Her stepdad had brought home a stray kid to abuse and bully, like he did now and then. But this time he’d brought home something that took him on. Who would have thought it?

“You don’t owe me anything, Big Bad Wolf.” Leila crossed her arms. “It was my pleasure. Wish you’d ripped his liver out.”

“I wish I had, too.” Dek smiled, all pointy, big teeth.

“But for now you’d better run out the back door while Rod is keeping the cop busy out there.”

“I already had that in mind.” He hesitated. “What about you?”

“What about me? You’re not concerned about me.”

“You’re wrong. I am.”

“Well, you can’t do anything for me, so you might as well do something for yourself. Go on.”

“Come with me.”

“What?” Leila blinked. She’d planned to escape the second she hit eighteen and no one could drag her back. Three months, one week, and four days from now.

“You heard me.”

Or she could go now. Even if he did get out of trouble with the police, Rod wouldn’t be chasing this particular stray.

“That’s a hell of a big decision to make. Why should I trust you?”

Dek flashed that big smile, looking as trustworthy as any wolf in sheep’s clothing. He didn’t look like just a kid. Why did that make the back of her neck tingle with nerves and… and something else? He was dangerous. But dangerous wasn’t all bad, was it? “You can find out why on the way out of here, kid.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Treva Harte has always been an overachiever. She also collects things. First it was degrees. First a B.A. in English, then she decided to go back for a Master’s degree. Not content with that, she added a J.D. Since then she’s added a husband, also an attorney, and two children to her collection. She’s continuing her ways as an overachiever, writing her wonderfully offbeat tales of passion and possibilities — in her spare time.

Visit her website at www.trevaharte.com.

EXCLUSIVE COVER REVEAL: Mated for the Howlidays by Jessica Coulter Smith #shifters #multiplepartners #menage #holidayromance @kitcatjms @changelingpress

Posted on by

The holidays are giving Kizzie the gift of a lifetime

— she’s the mate of two wolf shifters!

Cover Art by Karen Fox
Published by Changeling Press
Coming December 2021

Dex and Dane couldn’t be more different. One is motorcycle boots, leather, and all things wild. The other is a cowboy hat wearing sweetheart who owns the local bar. And Kizzie is the lucky lady who gets to keep them both!

When she moved back to Wolf Hollow, she only wanted a fresh start. Not once did she ever imagine she’d up being mated to two wolves, and just in time for the holidays!

Add to Goodreads

Unedited Sneak Peek…

Copyright 2021, Jessica Coulter Smith

When she approached, the man watched her with apprehension. Considering it was a wedding, he probably thought she was out to nab herself a husband. And while a husband did sound nice, she didn’t plan on just picking one up at random. If she could do that, she would have headed over to Wal-Mart and asked if husbands were in housewares. She might have had a better shot at getting what she wanted. Or getting one at all.

“Hi,” she said as she came to stand next to him.

“I’m sure you’re real nice and all, but if my brother is trying to set me up on a date –”

Kizzie held up her hand. “Stop right there. He just thought you might want someone to talk to, and since I’m new to town too, maybe we have something in common.”

His gaze skimmed over her from head to toe before he snorted and turned away.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked, her hand going to her hip.

“You’re champagne and I’m cheap beer. What the hell could we possibly have to talk about? I bet you have some fancy job making lots of money. Probably live in some huge house, driving some fancy car.”

Kizzie tapped her toe while she waited for him to finish. If there was one thing she hated, it was people making assumptions. He didn’t know her, and yet he’d taken one look and already decided he didn’t like her. “Done?”

He shrugged. She narrowed her eyes and her fingers twitched as she fought the urge not to smack him. Insufferable. That was a good word for him.

“For your information, against Fiona’s wishes, I’m working at the diner right now. For a man who cannot possibly be human. I don’t even know shifters with manners as bad as his, and I’ve seen the way some of you fall on your food like rabid wolves. He’s a mountain troll, possibly, but definitely not human. I’d thought I had a job lined up at the tattoo shop, but it fell through. I live in a studio apartment in the questionable part of town, and my car? It’s the rusted heap out front with bald tires. My jewelry is fake, my dress came from a thrift store, and my shoes were on sale at a discount store. Are there any other assumptions you’d like to make about me just because I showered and attempted to look nice for the wedding?”

Inwardly, she winced. Kizzie couldn’t believe she’d just unleashed on him like that. It wasn’t like her. Well, not usually. He’d just rubbed her the wrong way.

He had the grace to look sheepish. “I’m sorry, I just… you look so well put together, with your hair up like that and nails all painted. I figured you had some cushy office job somewhere. You definitely look out of my league.”

In all fairness to him, she’d had a cushy office job. Until the boss and his nephew got into a pissing contest over her, not that she’d been interested in either of them, but they hadn’t taken that into consideration when they informed her she had to choose one of them. Apparently, laughing hadn’t been the right answer. She’d been given a half hour to clean out her things and leave the premises. Of course, that was after the harassment had started the previous two weeks. She’d had just enough cash in her savings to make the move to Wolf Hollow and rent a cheap place to get her started. Kizzie still hadn’t told Fiona where she was living. She knew her friend was going to blow a gasket.

“You don’t look like a waitress,” he said. “You belong behind a desk.”

Kizzie shrugged. “I used to work in an office. But Wolf Hollow is a fresh start for me, which means new job and new living arrangements.”

He held out his hand. “I’m Dex, by the way. Dex Rockford.”

“Kizzie Walker.” She placed her hand in his and felt tingles all the way up to her shoulder. She’d never quite felt anything like it before, and she was loathe to let his hand go, not wanting the sensation to stop.

Dex nodded toward the bar. “Can I get you a drink?”

“Not to play into your misconception of me, but I’d love a glass of champagne.”

GIVEAWAY

Leave a comment and tell me why you’d read this book. One random winner will be selected on November 18th to receive a $5 Amazon Gift Card!

Want a chance to win a second $5 Amazon Gift Card? CLICK HERE!

About the Author

Award-winning author Jessica Coulter Smith has been in love with the written word since she was a child writing her first stories in crayon. Today she’s a multi-published author of over seventy-five novellas and novels. Romance is an integral part of her world and she firmly believes that love will find you at the right time, even if Mr. Right is literally out of this world.

BOOK REVIEW: Runaway Mate by Romy Lockhart #paranormal #reverseharem #newadult #bookreview @LockhartRomy

Posted on by

Jillian is ecstatic when she finds out she’s become more than a wolf shifter. The instinct she’s always had that she was meant for something different is validated when a gator-bite turns her into a hybrid shifter with two distinct animal forms.

Her parents are the opposite of thrilled, and plot to have her gator exorcised before it can fully emerge. She’s been promised to the Alpha’s son, and he won’t accept a hybrid.

She does the only thing she can. She runs. But someone’s following her, and his intent isn’t clear. Her awakening desire to find a true mate skews her senses and makes every shifter she comes across look like an appealing option.

Will she find the mates and the home she’s truly meant for, or will she be fooled by the trickster who only wants to destroy her?

Runaway Mate is a standalone new adult fated mates reverse harem romance with college-aged characters, serious steam and an HEA.

Add to Goodreads

MY REVIEW – 5 stars!

Grab a fan or some ice because this book is HOT!

Jillian knows she’s meant for more than being mated to the future alpha. She just didn’t realize the path she took would make her a hybrid. When she meets wolf/gator hybrids Mace and Nix, she feels like she’s going up in flames. Too bad those two keep screwing things up.

Jillian is young, and it shows in a lot of her actions and words, but it doesn’t make her any less determined. She knows what she wants and goes after it. I loved her character! There were times I wanted to smack Mace, and later Danny, upside their heads for being clueless idiots. Nix was adorable and sweet.

The characters worked well together and balanced each other. The story line had drama, suspense, and of course romance. Runaway Mate was a delicious read I couldn’t put down.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. The review above is only my opinion.