Throwback Thursday: Bad Boys Club by M. A. Church #GayRomance #BDSM #DarkDesire @nomoretears00 @changelingpress

Bad Boys Club (Bad Boys' Club 5)

 

Not all romances are sweet and fluffy.

Pounding music and writhing bodies fill the dance floor at Night Moves. A small, very elite group of friends called The Bad Boys Club use the place as their personal hunting grounds. Spoilt, powerful, and totally amoral, they use men without thought for the consequences of their actions. But each of these predators harbors a secret desire, a passion, that drives him.

And it hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Three dangerous paranormals on the prowl for a mate stalk the humans. Dark and deadly desires are their calling cards. A demon prince, an ancient vampire, and one of the deadliest werewolves to exist have their sights on The Bad Boys Club and their sensual secrets. Love comes in all forms, even for unscrupulous humans and lethal paranormals.

Publisher’s Note: Bad Boy’s Club contains the previously published novellas Lust and Ice, Into the Darkness, and Haunting the Night.

 

Get it at Changeling Press

 

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Copyright ©2015 M.A. Church
Excerpt from Lust and Ice

Kain, AKA Ice, moved through the Friday night crowd on the dance floor of Night Moves, a trendy upscale bar. For VIPs, the club had a decadent, kinky side. The second level was members only and membership was awarded on the basis of money, power, and prestige. The second level was where other jaded predators like Kain roamed.

The bottom level — the dance floor — was where the fresh meat was kept. After all, every predator needed prey.

Kain avoided the teasing hands that reached for him. No one caught his eye, but the night was young. He nodded to the bouncer guarding the secured entrance to the second level. Of course he wasn’t stopped. He was well known at the club.

Across the way he saw his childhood friends sitting at their usual table and made his way to them. Throwing his leather jacket on the back of his chair, he picked up the drink they had waiting for him. “Sorry I’m late. The old man was on my ass again.”

“What about this time?” Jordan asked.

“Some kid yelling I hit his car on the way home a couple of nights ago. He threatened to call the cops — claimed I left the scene of the accident.” Kain shrugged as his eyes scanned the dance floor. “More like a mercy killing. My damn watch costs more than that heap he was driving, but he carried on like a bitch in heat over it. The old man calmed him down, as always.”

“Meaning your dad had his lawyer pay him off.” Allen rolled his eyes. “What’s someone like that doing over here in our part of town?”

“What else,” Hugh said. “Looking for a way to make easy money. Those kinds of people shouldn’t be allowed over here.”

“I never said it happened on our turf. I was slumming.” Kain turned back to the group with a cold, emotionless grin. Actually, he’d been mindlessly screwing some nameless guy in the hopes of losing himself, if only for a little while. “If you know what I mean.”

“Well, you know what they say. If you lie down with dogs…” Hugh shrugged. “On another note, boys, you owe me five thousand apiece. That sweet little thing, Chris? Yeah, I popped his cherry last night. Told you I would. Only took me two weeks, too, to convince him that we were meant to be.”

“You have the devil’s own luck,” Jordan groaned.

“Actually, that’s Kain. I’m still behind him by two virgins.”

“How do you find these guys?” Allen complained. “I’ve only managed to find two!”

“Oh shut up. You’re one ahead of me.” Jordan rolled his eyes.

“Back on subject, fellows. Did I mention how sweetly he cried?” Hugh smirked. “And get this… he’s thinks I’m going to keep calling him now, be his boyfriend. Seems like he was waiting for that special someone, the love of his life.”

“Yeah, right. What a loser.” Allen sneered. “How often did you have to tell him you loved him?”

“Too many times.” Hugh’s disgust was clear as he raised his glass and winked. “Like I’d be caught dead outside of a bedroom with someone like that.”

“Goes without saying.” Kain sprawled in his chair. “So, how’s it looking down there? Fill me in.”

“Jordan and I have a bet going about who’s going to do that redhead on the dance floor first,” Allen said. “He’s the one with the green shirt, there in the middle.”

“Why not do him together?” Hugh asked.

“We plan to.” Allen winked. “I said I’d do him first. We’ll tag team him later. Been awhile since Jordan and I got to do a double penetration.”

Kain’s hearty laugh boomed out, drawing attention from those around them. “I almost feel sorry for the guy.” Kain glanced around the group; several pairs of disbelieving eyes stared back at him. “Okay, no I don’t.”

“The legendary Ice feels sorry?” Hugh’s lips twisted. “That’ll be a cold day in hell.”

“Hell wouldn’t have me.”

“Oh yeah, it would. Personally, I think we’d end up ruling hell.” Allen smirked at Kain.

“Ah, someone has that position, remember?” Jordan shrugged.

“We could be kings, or lords.”

“There’s supposed to be seven princes of hell. One for each deadly sin.” Hugh rolled his eyes as his friends stared at him. “What?”

 

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M.A. Church lives in the southern United States and spent many years in the elementary education sector. She is married to her high school sweetheart and they have two children. Her hobbies are gardening, walking, attending flea markets, watching professional football, racing, and spending time with her family on the lake.

But her most beloved hobby is reading. From an early age, she can remember hunting for books at the library. Later nonhuman and science fiction genres captured her attention and drew her into the worlds the authors had created. But always at the back of her mind was the thought that one day, when the kids were older and she had more time, she would write a book.

By sheer chance she stumbled across a gay male romance story on the web and was hooked. A new world opened up and she fell in love. Thus the journey started. When not writing or researching, she enjoys reading the latest erotic and mainstream romance novels.

Blog http://machurch00.blogspot.com
Facebook author page http://www.facebook.com/ma.church3
Twitter: @nomoretears00 Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5141393.M_A_Church

Throwback Thursday: His Perfect Match by Jessica Coulter Smith #historical #romancebooks #TBT

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Kate Witten has never believed in love at first sight, or in Kate’s case, love at first touch. But from the moment they touch, Kate knows there’s no other man for her  than Alec Westbrooke, Earl of Lynox. How can she help but succumb to a moment’s passion when faced with such a man? But there are consequences for their one night of bliss, and Kate is determined to handle things on her own. When she disappears from Charlotte, NC. Alec tears the city apart, searching for the only woman to ever hold his heart. When he finds her, he finds more than he bargained for. Will his responsibilities to his family weigh heavy on him? Or will he give everything up for the woman he loves?

Available at Bookstrand, Amazon, and B&N

 

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
(c) 2014 Jessica Coulter Smith

“I wanted you to myself for a while,” he said.

“Alec, I… I can’t imagine why you would want to spend time with me. There’s nothing special about me.”

He urged her to sit and then sat beside her. “I beg to differ. The moment I saw you, I knew you were special. Can’t you feel it? There’s something between us.”

“Please don’t say things like that.”

“Why not?”

“Because… you’re a lord and I’m…”

“My being a lord has nothing to do with this,” he interrupted. “There’s an attraction between us. You can’t deny it.”

“No,” she said softly. “I can’t deny it.”

He reached out and caressed her cheek. “How close does someone have to be before you can see them?”

Her lips tipped up in a smile. “Our noses would practically have to touch before I could see you clearly and, even then, I couldn’t make out as much detail as most people.”

He slowly moved closer, giving her time to pull away, but she didn’t want to. She knew that she should, but she found that she was fascinated by him. He came closer, close enough that she felt the warmth of his breath on her skin. Small details came into focus. She noticed his eyes were blue, laugh lines crinkling the corners. Lines bracketed his mouth, telling her that he smiled frequently. His lips were full and she wondered what they would feel like pressed against hers. A blush heated her cheeks as she stared into his eyes.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured.

“No, I’m not. I’m plain, ordinary.”

His thumb smoothed over her cheekbone. “Darling, you could never be plain.”

“Alec…” Before she could finish her sentence, he kissed her, his lips gently pressing against hers. It was the first time she’d ever been kissed, and it was everything she’d ever dreamed of. Her heart was racing as she slid her palms over his chest. Even through his shirt and jacket, she could feel his heart beating, nearly as fast as hers.

He placed his other hand at her waist and pulled her closer. Their bodies pressed together, she’d never felt so close to someone before. His lips moved softly against hers and she responded. It felt strange and yet so very right. Her body was warming from the inside out. She didn’t understand what she was feeling, but she wasn’t ready to stop kissing Alec.

 

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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 150 novellas/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.

Find Jessica online at jessicacoultersmith.com or follow her on BookBub or Amazon to hear about new releases!

Throwback Thursday: Demon Guardians by Jessica Coulter Smith #BDSM #PNR #TBT #EroticRomance @changelingpress

For centuries they’ve stayed hidden, observing. But there’s only so much a demon can take…

 

Demon Guardians (Demon Guardians 5)

Publisher: Changeling Press
Cover Artist: Bryan Keller

Demon Guardians: Sexy, seductive demons craving submission. For centuries, they’ve stayed silent, hidden, observing and interfering without being detected. Each guardian demon has a charge to watch over, and it’s always a woman. But there�s only so much a demon can take�

Bale. Alia’s a magnet for trouble. It’s time for her reckless behavior to stop, before it gets her killed.

Aleixo. Monica has terrible taste in men. Aleixo’s drawn a line, and when her current man crosses it, Aleixo will break all the rules to save her from herself.

Rorlan. He’s always been Larissa’s guardian. But now he’s claimed her heart.

Dominguez. A single night of passion with Amara, or a lifetime of love? How is a demon to choose?

Aires. He’s falling in love with Della. But what happens when two sexy as sin demons want you body and soul — and aren’t into sharing?

Publisher’s Note: This Box Set contains the previously published novellas Demon Guardians, Rorlan, Dominguez, and Aires.

Get it Today

 

 

EXCERPT:

Copyright ©2014 Jessica Coulter Smith
Excerpt from Dominguez


I stood in the realm between hell and Earth, watching and waiting. I could feel Amara’s panic, but she didn’t seem to be in any harm at the moment. A paddle lay nearby and her ass was a rosy pink, so I assumed her lovers had used it on her already. I was rather surprised she’d allowed it. After being her guardian for the past seven years, I knew her preferences, and BDSM just wasn’t one of them. Neither was a menage a trois, for that matter. And yet here she was, a collar around her neck, the chain in one of her lovers’ hands. The other man stood in front of her with his cock aimed at her luscious lips. I’d fantasized once or twice about that mouth myself.

She shook her head and tried to back up, but the other man crowded her.

“Be a good slave and suck his cock,” he ordered.

I narrowed my eyes. I knew it was part of the game, but I didn’t like his tone.

She shook her head again and leaned away from the man once more. The one who seemed to be in charge jerked at the chain and hissed at her.

“You’ll do what you’re told. You’ll suck his cock and take my dick in your ass at the same time, and you’ll like it.”

I could see the fear in her eyes and knew things had gone on long enough. What may have started as innocent fun was turning into something sinister. Stepping out of the shadows, I made my presence known. It was one thing to play, but what they had in mind was something else entirely. I moved directly into their line of sight and watched as first one paled, and then the other. My blue skin and black tattoos marked me as a demon, and they recognized that fact. But if there had been any doubt, my nearly black eyes and the small horns jutting from my forehead would’ve sealed the deal.

“Release her.”

The chain dropped to the floor and Amara crawled to my side, wrapping her arms around my leg. I might be a demon, but she knew who her savior was in this instance. She made a rather pretty picture sitting at my feet with that collar around her throat. But I doubted it was an image I’d ever see again.

“I do believe she told you no,” I advised the men. “You do know what that word means, don’t you?”

“She agreed to come here with us. She knew what she was getting into,” the first one said, trying to sound braver than he was as he stood there quaking in terror.

“Obviously things were going further than she wanted. The next time a woman tells you no, you’d better listen. And don’t even think of looking at Amara again. Don’t come near her, or think about her. Is that clear?”

They both nodded adamantly.

Gathering Amara in my arms, I blinked us out of there and back to her apartment. Setting her on her feet, I ushered her into the bathroom. After starting the shower, I unfastened the collar from around her neck and tossed it in the trash. Holding out a hand, I waited until she took it.

“You need to wash their scent from your body. It will make you feel better,” I told her.

She placed a shaky hand in mine and let me assist her into the shower. I watched as she reached for the bar of soap and promptly dropped it. Falling to her knees, she tried to grab it again, but ended up letting out a sob and burying her face in her hands.

With a sigh, I disrobed and climbed in the shower with her.

Kneeling in front of her, I gently pulled her into my arms. I was a little surprised when she came willingly. I’d expected her to stiffen up or at least fight me a little, what with me being naked and all, but she seemed to trust me. I hoped I didn’t betray that trust. My hard cock was begging to find a home inside her sweet warmth, but I was doing my best to control the monster.

I tried to read her thoughts, but they were chaotic and I couldn’t quite grasp them. She was obviously still shaken from her encounter, and her mind, as well as her body, was in turmoil. There was nothing for me to do except calm and soothe her the best I could.

“They can’t harm you, Amara. You’re safe now.”

“How did you find me?” she asked. “How did you know I was in trouble?”

“I’m your guardian. I always know when you’re in trouble.”

Her brow furrowed. “Like a guardian angel?”

I chuckled. “Yes, except I’m a demon.”

“I don’t care if you’re a purple alien. You rescued me. I can only imagine what would’ve happened to me if you hadn’t come along when you did. They would’ve forced me, I’m sure. I was stupid to go with them, but it seemed like harmless fun. They didn’t seem like men who would hurt me.”

“You should never enter into something like that unless you know the person and trust them. You could’ve been seriously hurt tonight.”

She shuddered in my arms.

“Let’s get you cleaned up.” I picked up the soap and placed it in her hand.

She swiped the soap down her arms in jerky movements, missing more of her skin than not. Taking the bar from her, I lathered my hands and soaped her skin, using slow, easy motions. I didn’t want to scare her. When I reached her breasts, I wasn’t sure what to do. In a normal situation, I wouldn’t hesitate, but this was far from normal.

Amara took my hands in hers and guided them over her breasts and down the valley between them. As my palms slid down her torso to her hips, her gaze flicked up to meet mine. With her eyes steady on mine, she slipped my hand between her legs. Her pussy was bare and oh so soft. I longed to taste it, to feel that smooth skin against my tongue.

Lust hit me, more mine than hers. I felt uncertainty from her, and from what little I could glean from her thoughts, she wanted reassurance that sex wasn’t about violence. I wasn’t sure what to do… give in to my desire or push her away?

Throwback Thursday: Love’s Magick Kiss by Jessica Coulter Smith #TBT #Shifters #RomanceBooks #FamilyLoss #Fated @changelingpress

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In the magical town of Silver Falls, things are never what they seem.

When Hadley lost her beautiful twin daughters to a drunk driver, she thought her life was over. Though she’s still haunted by their loss, Lucas has always been there for her. She’s been able to lean on him as a friend, but now she wants more.

When her hunky neighbor finally asks her out, she knows saying yes is the right thing to do. His kisses make her knees weak, but he’s more than just a big teddy bear. Is it safe to trust her heart to a grizzly?

Get it at Changeling Press or online retailers

 

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EXCERPT

Copyright ©2012 Jessica Coulter Smith

Hadley knelt in the snow in front of the two tiny graves. After placing a red rose on top of each one, she brushed the tears from her cheeks. It had been nearly a year, but it still felt like it was only yesterday. A day didn’t go by that she didn’t blame herself for their deaths. What if she had reacted just one second sooner? What if she had been paying more attention, would she have seen the other driver in time? But no amount of what ifs or wishes would change the fact that her two babies were gone. She knew in her heart that the blame lay with the drunk driver who had plowed into their vehicle, but she had a hard time blaming someone who was dead. She was the sole survivor of the crash, and there were many days she wished she hadn’t survived.

Standing, she brushed the snow from her jeans. The cold and damp was starting to soak through her clothes straight to her bones. Even if she did want to stay longer, she knew it was best for her to leave and come again another day.

Hadley wasn’t sure she was moving on exactly, but it was a step in the right direction. She often wondered if it would be easier to shoulder the grief if she had someone to share it, but her children’s father hadn’t been in the picture from the moment he’d learned of their existence. It had been shortly after his rejection that she’d moved to Silver Falls, leaving behind the big city for the comforts of a small town. Of course, she hadn’t realized at the time that she was moving to a town where humans were the minority. But even in a town of supernatural beings, no one had been able to save her babies.

Huddling inside her coat to keep warm, she turned and walked down the path toward her car. It had taken her nearly a year, but she was finally driving again. She’d felt guilty, asking her friends to drive her everywhere, but at the same time driving a car had terrified her. She’d finally worked through the issue in therapy and started driving two months ago. The new Ford Explorer gleamed in the sunlight. After the accident, she’d sworn to never own a small car again.

She’d spent plenty of time at the cemetery for the day, and now it was time to head home and get to work. There was always something she needed to do.

Work had been difficult for her, but she’d managed — somewhat. Writing children’s books had been easier before the accident. She’d turned in a few projects to her editor, but only one had been accepted. She had a lot of work ahead of her to make the others presentable. But days like this one made writing nearly impossible. It made her wonder if she would ever get over the pain of losing her children.

As she pulled into her driveway, she noticed a large box on her front porch. She didn’t remember ordering anything and most of her friends lived in town. Who could have left something so large on her porch?

She got out of the Explorer and went to investigate. There wasn’t a return address, but she could see where one had been. It had smeared during transit and could no longer be read. She tried lifting it, but it wouldn’t budge. The thing weighed a ton.

With a sigh, Hadley realized she’d have to bother her neighbor for assistance. Lucas Bowman had been her neighbor for years and had always been kind to her. She didn’t agree with his lifestyle, but he seemed to be a genuinely good person, not to mention he was the hottest guy she’d ever seen. The man was mouthwatering to be sure. She’d be lying if she said he hadn’t starred in at least one or two of her fantasies over the years. She was surprised he wasn’t at work, but his truck sat in the driveway.

She knocked on his door. A moment later Lucas opened the door. He smiled when he saw her, making her knees feel weak. Her heart was beating so hard she was sure he could see it pounding in her chest.

“Hadley, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

“The postman delivered a package today while I was gone and it’s too heavy for me to lift. Would you mind carrying it into the house for me?”

He nodded. “Just let me grab a coat. I’ll be right there.”

“Sorry for disturbing you.”

He grinned. “No problem.”

She waited patiently while he got ready and then led the way to her small house next door. Lucas hefted the box without any trouble and carried it inside, depositing it on her living room floor.

“Do you need anything else?” he asked.

She shook her head. “I’m sorry I bothered you.”

“It’s okay, Hadley. I was just going over some paperwork. I needed a break.”

“Are things going well at the store?”

He nodded. “Yeah, sales have been good. It’s been a good month so far. I’m actually surprised. This is usually our slow time of year. What about you? How are you doing?”

“I have good days and bad days. I went to see the girls today so it’s not one of my better ones. They say it gets easier, but…”

“I can only imagine what you went through, Hadley. There isn’t a time limit on grief. You take as much time as you need.”

She gave him a small smile. “Thank you, Lucas.”

“Well, I better get back home. If I don’t finish my reports, my employees won’t receive their checks on time.”

After closing the door behind him, she turned to face the mystery box. Peeling the tape off, she managed to open the top. All she could see were thousands of white packing peanuts. She reached inside and dug around until she felt something. Pulling as hard as she could, she managed to budge it a tiny bit, but it wasn’t coming out of the box. Whatever it was, it was large and heavy. No matter how much she dug, she couldn’t see anything but peanuts.

It seemed she would have to bother Lucas again if she wanted to know what it was.

 

Throwback Thursday – Illegal (Box Set) by Mary Winter #PNR #shifter #TBT

Illegal (Box Set) by Mary  Winter

Publisher: Changeling Press
Genres: Paranormal Romance/Futuristic
Cover Artist: Renee George

Three tales of unlikely lovers and enduring passion.

Illegal Holdings: Agent Marik Sinstark knows testing the contraband black market pleasure cuffs on Elaura Janis constitutes an illegal activity, and Marik can’t afford to get caught. But then again, neither can Elaura.

Willed and Waiting: Myrtlewood’s hunky handyman has been willed to Portia, and he’s waiting for her to set him free.

Horse Play: When Flynn, an Earth Elf shapeshifter, bucks Clarice off, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to win her forgiveness, including invade her dreams and show her that the perfect place for horse play is in the bedroom.

Purchase from:

Changeling Press / Amazon / B&N

Praise for Illegal Holdings“Mary Winter has written a fast paced, wonderfully erotic story that keeps you reading. I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t put it down until I finished it at three in the morning.”

— Nicole Harvey, PNR Reviews

Illegal Holdings is an erotic story of choosing between doing what you know you should and what you want to do…. Mary Winter has created an engaging story set within a futuristic world and containing some very unique toys. Nice job.”

4 Angels! — Shayley, Fallen Angel Reviews

“Marik and Elaura were wonderful together in all of their activities and I was astounded when Ms. Winter dropped in an unexpected twist. The ending of this story was fun and exciting. …I hope that this novella is just the first in this exciting world.”

— Marcy Arbitman, Just Erotic Romance Reviews

Praise for Willed and Waiting“Winter has created a cozy setting for two people who are at a crossroads in their lives. They were able to get to know each other without any outside interference. Willed and Waiting is a good, quick story to read on a free afternoon.”

— Melissa, Fallen Angel Reviews

“Mary Winter has written a great story with well written, interesting characters…. I would recommend this to anyone that loves a sexy story of love, curses and the need for a little blood.”

4.5 Hearts! — Sandra, The Romance Studio

Praise for Horse Play“With a bit of whimsy and a large dash of sensuality, Mary Winter brings us a tale that reminds us of the need for balance in our lives.”

Four Angels! — Serena, Fallen Angel Reviews

“A sweet love story about a selfless woman who is destined to make a big difference in the future if she can learn how to enjoy her life.”

4½ Stars! — Candy, Ecataromance Sensual

About the Author

Mary commutes between her dream home near the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri, and her current residence in Iowa. She lives with a menagerie of animals including an opinionated horse and a cat who was a dog in a past life. When not writing spicy tales of erotic romance, she enjoys writing science fiction and fantasy, spending time with her horse, and enjoying the outdoors. Lucky for her, her partner (hero) shares these same passions, and usually both of them can be found in their respective dens writing.

You can contact Mary at mary@marywinter.com or visit her site at www.marywinter.com.

 

Throwback Thursday – The Adorable Snowman by Stephanie Burke #TBT #PNR #shifters

The Adorable Snowman by Stephanie  Burke

Publisher: Changeling Press
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Cover Artist: Karen Fox

Serendipity Collins is minding her own business, driving along in West Virginia in the worst blizzard in years, when a strange creature appears out of nowhere and she runs him down.

Ta is on a mission to get away from the humans who captured him. He only wants to get back to the gate point to find a way home when he meets her — the mate of his dreams. Now he only has to convince her they are perfect for each other… if they can survive the hunters who are after him and battle Serendipity’s own private fears.

Ta is nothing but determined, Ren is nothing but stubborn, but before the storm comes to an end, maybe they will discover a way to make this fairy tale a reality and melt the ice that encases her heart.

Purchase from:

Changeling Press / Amazon / B&N

About the Author

Have You Been Flashed?

It’s the question Stephanie Burke is asking. Stephanie is a multi-published, multi-award-winning wife and mother of two whose unparalleled imagination causes her no end of trouble. From sex shifting shape-shifting dragons to undersea worlds, up to sexually confused elemental fey and homoerotic mysteries, all the way to pastel challenged urban sprites, Stephanie has done it all, and hopes to do more.

Stephanie is co-founder of the charitable organization Write 4 Hope, co-creator of the Japanese Culture and Anime Convention Mikomicon, home-school mom, English tutor, an orator on her favorite subject of writing and world building, a sometimes teacher when you feed her enough coffee and donuts, an anime nut, a costumer, and a frequent guest of various sci-fi and writing cons where she can be found leading panel discussions or researching more and varied legends and theories to improve her writing skills.

Stephanie is known for her love of the outrageous, strong female characters, believable worlds, male characters filled with depth, and interracial stories that make the reader sit up and take notice.

 

 

#ThrowbackThursday – Moonlight Hero #PNR #werewolves #romance

Hero #3

Alpha werewolf Gabriel Andrews is content with his life, even if it’s a bit lonely. He wants what every wolf wants — his mate. When a stunning woman darts into his garage, panting for breath and looking more than a little frightened, his wolf sits up and takes notice. She smells enticing and a hunger grows inside of Gabriel, and he knows he must have her. But loving Kiera will not be an easy task with a ravenous vampire hot on her trail. It seems his little shifter mate is something a little more, and it will take him and an entire pack to keep her safe.

Amazon / iTunes / Barnes & Noble / Bookstrand

Excerpt

Kiera ran on silent feet through the darkened alley.  It probably would have been easier to escape if she had shifted into her animal form, but then she would have been stuck without clothes later.  That would have been a little hard to explain to the average human.

Running for all she was worth, she could sense the vampire’s presence not far behind her.  Going into that bar was the dumbest thing she had ever done! Why had she allowed the girls to talk her into it?  Shaking her head, she continued to the end of the alley.  Hopefully, she would live to see another day.

When she reached the corner, she looked around.  There wasn’t much nearby except an old Victorian home and an auto repair shop.  Noticing the lights were on in the auto shop, she hurried across the street.  Reaching for the door, she glanced over her shoulder and gasped.  The vampire was standing on the corner under the street lamp.  To a passerby he would seem harmless, but Kiera knew better, knew him for the predator he was.  She was trembling as she watched the vampire; she knew he could smell her fear but was helpless to do anything about it.

Pushing the door open, Kiera rushed inside.  As soon as she closed the door, she turned the lock.  The logical part of her brain was calling her an idiot for thinking a lock would keep out a vampire, but her self-preservation skills were kicking in.  That small piece of metal made her feel a little bit safer, even if her safety was nothing more than an illusion.

Across the room, Gabriel heard the door close and lock.  As he slid out from under the Mustang he had been working on, he noticed the disheveled woman warily watching the street through the glass door.  He got up and walked slowly toward her. Taking in her creamy complexion, petite stature and long ebony hair, his body immediately responded to her.  She was definitely something to look at, curved in all the right places.

“May I help you?” he asked.

Kiera gasped and spun toward the deep voice.  Momentarily startled, she regained her composure, trying to keep her expression as neutral as possible.  “Is it alright if I stay here for a minute?”

Gabriel casually looked her over, appreciating the way her black dress clung to her curves. “Everything okay?”

Kiera glanced back outside.  The vampire was still on the corner, watching her every move.  She knew that he was waiting for her to leave.  It wasn’t fair to involve this stranger in her problems, but she didn’t have much of a choice if she wanted to live.  And she definitely wanted to live!

Looking back at Gabriel, she said, “That man across the street has been following me.  I’m a little nervous about going back outside.”

Gabriel looked through the glass door.  Sure enough, a tall blond man was standing on the corner, watching them.  An inner voice was screaming at him that the man was a vampire and to be wary.  Gabriel shook his head, clearing the ridiculous thought from his mind. Vampires?  He was starting to lose it. Granted, being an alpha werewolf made him believe in the impossible, but he had yet to see proof that vampires existed.

Gently taking her arm, he pulled her away from the door. “You’re safe here.  You can stay as long as you need to.”

Kiera gave him a shaky smile. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.”

“Since I’m offering sanctuary, mind telling me how that guy ended up following you?”  If he was getting pulled into a domestic dispute, now was the time to find out.  The last thing he needed was an angry husband coming after him.

Kiera sighed, realizing she could only tell him half of the truth.   If she said that a vampire was following her, she had no doubt she would be dragged off to the loony bin.  Granted, that would be the perfect ending to her not so perfect day, but she would prefer to not land herself in a padded cell.

“The short version is that he tried to pick me up in a bar.  I told him that I wasn’t interested, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer.  When I left, he followed me.  He kind of gave me the creeps so I ran.” 

Something seemed a little off with her story.  If she had been running, why wasn’t she winded?    Not that he wouldn’t have enjoyed watching her run in that skin tight dress and heels; it definitely would have been a sight to behold, especially with her being so top heavy. He almost grinned at the image his mind was creating.

Giving himself a mental shake, he asked, “How did you end up here at my garage?  There isn’t a bar for at least three or four miles.”

Kiera hoped the shock didn’t show on her face.  Had she really run that far? “I guess I got lost.  I was just trying to get away from him and didn’t really pay attention to where I was going.” 

She knew her excuse sounded feeble, but she couldn’t very well tell him she was a werefox, giving her more agility and stamina than your average human.  There were some things that humans just weren’t prepared to hear.  The fact that “make believe” creatures really existed ranked high on that list.

Gabriel looked skeptical. There had to be more to her story than that, but obviously she wasn’t going to share the full tale.  “What’s your name?”

“Kiera.”

“I’m Gabriel.”

Kiera smiled. “It’s nice to meet you.  I just wish it was under better circumstances.”

“Do you need to use the phone to call someone?  It doesn’t look like that guy is leaving anytime soon,” Gabriel said, glancing out the door.

“Oh.” Kiera followed his gaze. Sure enough, the vampire was still watching from across the street. “Um, I don’t really have anyone to call.”

Gabriel arched an eyebrow, but didn’t say anything.  Just what kind of trouble was she in?  She didn’t look more than twenty-one or so.  A deep primal instinct arose, making him want to comfort her and protect her.  The wolf in him responded to her soft feminine scent while the man responded to her lush curves.  She didn’t even reach his shoulder, which told him that she was under five-foot two since he was a little over six-feet tall.  She wasn’t bone thin like a lot of woman he’d met, but she wasn’t fat either.  Her elfin shaped face held full rosy lips and beautiful green eyes that were almost almond shaped.  They reminded him of cat eyes. 

Kiera noticed the appraisal.  “I don’t want to keep you from your work.  Please don’t feel like you have to keep me company.”

Gabriel grunted, noting the obvious dismissal.  Evidently mechanics weren’t good enough for her. He should have known that a woman as pretty and as well dressed as this one was would have an attitude.  Paper pushers were probably more her style; wealthy paper pushers.

“Guess I can finish up this job while you wait to see if your admirer goes away.”

Walking away from her, he slowly climbed back under the Mustang.  It was difficult to concentrate on his work, but he managed.  There was something about her that wasn’t entirely human.  He knew she wasn’t a werewolf, but she was definitely something special.  His alpha instincts told him that she was a mate for his pack.  Since Cole was already married, that meant that she belonged to either him or Michael.  Just thinking of Michael being with her made him grind his teeth.

Kiera watched Gabriel effortlessly slide under the car.  She started feeling light headed and realized that she had been holding her breath.  He was the most gorgeous guy she had ever seen!  Easily over six-feet tall, he had medium length black hair, piercing blue eyes, and was well muscled.  It had been difficult to not throw herself into his arms. If he had stood by her much longer, she wouldn’t have been able to keep her hands to herself.  She hoped that he hadn’t noticed the effect he had on her.  Her animal instincts were going to get her into trouble one of these days.

As she glanced back out the door, she realized that the vampire was crossing the street.  Startled, she instinctively started backing toward Gabriel.  It wasn’t fair to ask for his protection, but she had never been so terrified in her life.  She couldn’t put her finger on it, but something about the mechanic made her feel safe and protected.

Hearing her footsteps drawing near, Gabriel slid out from under the car and looked up at her. “What’s wrong Kiera?”

“He’s coming over. I know that I have no right to ask this, but please help me.”  As she looked down at him, her eyes were wide with fear.  Her heart had doubled its rhythm and felt as it would burst from her chest.