It's here! It's finally here!! Pain in the Ice is now live on Amazon, and as always, free to read with your KU subscription! Thade Maddock would literally rather die than spend four weeks aboard a cruise ship with nine hundred strangers in the middle of the Pacific. When it happens to be his best friend’s dying request, however, he can’t exactly refuse the invitation. On the bright side, the ship’s pool does offer some stunning views. Like the human male with fiery red hair and a smile to rival the sun. Although he wouldn’t consider himself naïve, Micah Francis has led a rather insulated life. Having had limited contact with Otherlings and little knowledge about the paranormal world in general, meeting a dragon shifter his first day on the ship is nothing less than magical. Tall and brooding with a body made for sin, Thade is everything he had imagined a dragon would be. He didn’t, however, expect to feel so obsessively drawn to the guy after just one conversation. But falling in love is the easy part. When Thade’s friend begins to deteriorate quicker than anticipated, the demon’s illness places the entire ship in danger. As pandemonium ensues and a multitude of dark emotions infects the passengers, happily-ever-after feels a long way off. Because unless they can find a way to bring order to the madness, no one is making it out alive. EXCERPTAs a general rule, Thade didn’t stick his nose into other people’s business. He did what was necessary to enforce the guidelines at Blackhaven Manor, and he would never allow guests to mistreat his staff, but he didn’t go out of his way to play the hero.
Every once in a while, however, he encountered a situation that required him to act, to be the protector he tried so hard to avoid. With his gaze hidden behind his dark sunglasses, he’d been watching the human male from the moment he’d stepped onto the deck. Beyond his vivid red hair, nothing about him made him stand out from the other guests, but Thade hadn’t been able to look away. His complexion went beyond fair and could only be described as pale, but with a smattering of freckles across his nose and cheeks. Despite the considerable distance that separated them, and the way the newcomer squinted against the sun, Thade had no trouble discerning the stunning lime green of his irises. He had wondered why the guy didn’t just use the sunglasses perched atop his head. Then he realized he wasn’t the only one staring. Mr. Lean, Fair, and Freckled was checking him out, too, and judging by his increased heart rate, he liked what he saw. Thade wasn’t looking for love, but he wouldn’t mind passing a night or two with the beautiful stranger. He had still been deciding on his next move when the guy’s attention had been drawn away by the female who had accompanied him onto the deck. Like a puff of smoke on the breeze, whatever connection that had passed between them vanished. That should have been the end of it, but Thade couldn’t resist the temptation to let his gaze linger a little longer. With his eyes still hidden, he watched both humans, studying the way they interacted as he tried to ascertain the depth of their relationship. It shouldn’t have mattered. He definitely shouldn’t have felt relief when he heard them mention the female’s fiancé. Yet he hadn’t been able to relax until he’d been satisfied that nothing romantic existed between them. He didn’t have a name for the feeling that had coursed through him in the lead-up to the revelation, but it had been foreign, uncomfortable, and he hoped to never experience it again.
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All That Glitters: A Nocturne Bay Story is now available at Amazon and free to read with your Kindle Unlimited subscription! EXCERPT
Well…fuck. Yeah, yeah, it was supposed to be the happiest moment of his life. Rainbows and unicorns mixed with raging hormones and non-stop sex. Blah, blah, yada, yada. And okay, dude was stupid hot, but Skyler Hastings was shitting bricks. Metaphorically, of course, because…ouch. Sure, there might have been a time when he’d dreamed of finding the missing part of his soul. He’d spent lonely nights imagining what it would be like to meet that one person who was meant just for him, the one being in the whole universe who would complete him. Or whatever other clichéd bullshit people liked to wax poetic about. Yep, he’d bought into it all, right up until his life had taken a sudden and drastic turn. Now, he had baggage, lots of it, like bus depot levels, and this was not a good time for him to run off into the sunset with some insanely sexy shifter. Which meant he had a decision to make. Walking away wasn’t an option. For a shifter, being refused by their mate was basically a death sentence, and he didn’t want that. Hell, he wouldn’t wish that on his worst enemy. He could complete their bond, allow the guy to claim him, then disappear. That was probably the right thing to do. It would ensure Rafe’s safety in more ways than one, even if it condemned them both to a life of loneliness. At least Rafe would have a life, though. But this was his mate. He’d been given a gift from fate, and frankly, it seemed in poor taste to turn up his nose at such a rare treasure. There would be no second chances, no do-overs. He only got one shot at this, and yeah, it made him a selfish bastard, but damn it, he wanted this. He wanted Rafe. At the very least, he wanted the opportunity to prove he deserved him. Which brought him full circle because to deserve his mate, he had to do right by him, and in this case, that meant letting him go. Sighing, he wiped the water from his face and tilted his head to the side to indicate the porch. “We should talk.” Silent Knight is here! Check out this special holiday addition to the Blackhaven Manor series. It's a fun, light romance with all of the feels and none of the angst. And as always, it's free to read with your KU subscription. Being part siren isn’t exactly a secret, but it’s not something Simon Russel likes to advertise, either. He’s not ashamed of who he is or anything so dramatic as that. But people tend to treat him differently once they realize he can manipulate their emotions. Just once, he wishes someone could see him and not the demon within. Enter Archer Knight, a former Enforcer, and the newest guard at Blackhaven Manor. Forced into retirement after a poorly executed mission leaves him damaged and disfigured, Archer figures he has a right to be a little bitter. With his scarred face and surly attitude, he’s not going to win any popularity contests, which suits him just fine, or so he tells himself. Until he meets Simon. Mix one not-so-chance encounter, a heap of holiday cheer, and a dash of misguided but well-meaning intentions in this recipe for Christmas magic. Season with love and serve with a side of awkward family get-togethers. Don’t forget the marshmallows. EXCERPT Simon’s frown deepened. He didn’t think Archer looked frightening exactly. With the severe set of his mouth, and the tightening at the corners of his arctic blue eyes, he was projecting some serious fuck-off vibes, though. Only, it wasn’t real. He might look harsh and unapproachable, but on the inside, he was kind of a mess. Tilting his head, Simon studied him more closely. Wariness and unease seemed to be the driving emotions. There was anger there, too, but it didn’t really have a direction. It felt more like he was mad at the world. Simon tensed as the weight of that statement settled over him. While he could alter the emotional state of others to some degree, he wasn’t an empath. He couldn’t feel what those people felt. Instead, he had to rely on physical and verbal cues, the same as everyone else. But this time, he didn’t have to guess. He could sense the storm of emotions raging inside the male as clearly as if they were his own, and the realization left him confused and unnerved. With every step Archer took toward him, those strange and unsettling feelings only intensified, and Simon balled his fists at his side to stop his hands from shaking. His heart pounded inside his chest, making a valiant attempt to climb into his throat, and he swallowed hard, trying to force back where it belonged. When that did absolutely nothing, he hooked a finger into the collar of his dress shirt and tugged at the starched material. “Are you okay?” Gigi whispered, her brown eyes filled with concern as she looked him up and down. “You’re flushed.” “I’m fine.” He pulled more insistently at his collar. “Is it hot in here?” Her brow creased, and she shook her head. “No, it’s not.” The harder his heart beat, the more difficult it was to breathe. A low, steady hum started at the base of his skull, sending faint vibrations down his spine and making his ears ring. “Are you sure?” Sweat beaded across his brow and trickled down the back of his neck. “It feels hot in here.” As he spoke, he ripped open the top button of his shirt and fanned the collar. “You’re really sure?” Fuck, he didn’t even know what he was saying anymore. “I’m really sure.” Stepping in front of him, Gigi pressed her palm to the side of his face and frowned. “You feel clammy, hon. Maybe you should sit down. I’ll get you some water.” Simon shook his head. He couldn’t explain why or how he knew, but he was exactly where he was supposed to be. “I’m fi—ahh!” He slapped a hand over his mouth to muffle his groan as the gums around his canines exploded with pain. Then, he immediately gasped and jerked his hand away, licking his lip where a long, pointed fang had pierced the skin. “Simon?” Gigi grabbed his elbow and shook him roughly. “Simon, what’s happening?” But her words barely registered, and he couldn’t have answered her if he’d tried. Mostly because he didn’t know what the hell was happening to him. He wasn’t a werewolf or a shifter or a vampire. Hell, he was barely a demon. Never in his whole life had he casually sprouted fangs for no fucking reason. Doing his best to hold himself together, he stood rigidly, his lips clamped together to hide his new hardware, and waited for Cyrus and Archer to reach the café. By the time the pair stopped a few feet from him, Simon could barely breathe. And now for the update. You may have seen that I had another holiday story planned for the end of the month called A Merry Little Deja Vu. I don't really want to get into why, but this story isn't happening, at least not this year. Maybe next Christmas.
Instead, a new Nocturne Bay book is up next. Since this was kind of a sudden change, I don't have a lot of details right now. I'm hoping to release it at the end of the month or the beginning of January, but I haven't settled on a firm release date, and obviously, no pre-order. This will be a solo release. To my knowledge, my co-authors don't have any books planned right at this moment. I'll post another update just as soon as I have a better handle on my schedule. Until then, I wish you all Happy Holidays! The 6th book of the Blackhaven Manor series is now live on Amazon and free to read with your Kindle Unlimited subscription! It’s been twelve years since the Awakening. Otherlings are out of the paranormal closet. The whole world knows that creatures like vampires, werewolves, and witches exist. So, seeing dead people barely even rates on the freaky scale. Right? Wrong. Fritz Tolliver figures he must have done something terrible in a previous life to be afflicted with such a curse. In fact, every bad thing that has ever happened to him can be traced back to his unwanted ability. So, when a stupidly hot werewolf who’s way out of his league claims to be his mate, he should be thrilled. And he probably would have been if he hadn’t gone and gotten himself haunted by a nasty spirit on the same day. When a gorgeous male strolls into the station asking for a job—and promptly spills an entire Americano on him—Sheriff Vander Hale has a feeling it’s going to be a bad day. Then, the door opens, the wind shifts, and suddenly, his whole world changes. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for his mate, no battle he wouldn’t wage, even if his enemy is technically already dead. Unfortunately, there’s just one problem with his plan. He’d go to hell and back for Fritz, but how is he supposed to fight something he can’t see? EXCERPT Soft footsteps against the linoleum drew his attention, and he glanced up as a male who looked to be in his early twenties stumbled to a stop at the end of the counter.
“Oh,” the guy breathed. “Um, hi.” He lifted his hand in a stiff wave. Dressed in a red vest with a matching tie over a white button-down, he looked ridiculously out of place in the grungy station. He wore his dark hair a little longer on top and spiked with probably half a gallon of styling gel, but the look suited him, and it highlighted big, wide-set eyes the color of fresh cinnamon. Eyes that could drown a man, that could pull him under so that he never wanted to surface. Vander turned to Hardy and nodded. Okay, he’d give the deputy this one. Fritz was absolutely stunning. Bringing his attention back to the newcomer, he softened his smile. “Hello, I’m Sheriff Vander Hale.” “I’m—oh, I almost forgot!” He rushed over to the waiting area, which consisted of four folding chairs and two tiny, square tables. Grabbing a familiar-looking paper cup, he held it up like an offering. “I brought you coffee.” Pleasantly surprised by the gift, Vander grinned. “I appreciate that.” “Americano.” Fritz stared at the cup with a furrowed brow. “I think it’s black. I don’t know. Emrys made it.” So, the little pixie was in on this scheme as well. Fritz must have made quite the impression for so many people to be pushing for Vander to give him a job. At that point, he half expected to start receiving calls from every person the guy had even briefly interacted with in town. “I’m sure it’s fine.” In the eight years since he’d been going to the hotel café, Emrys had yet to make him a bad cup of coffee. “Thank you.” “Right.” The guy ducked his head as his cheeks flushed an alluring shade of pink. “Well, here you go.” Still staring at the floor, he stretched his arm out as far as he could reach to offer the cup again. Vander barely managed to choke back his laughter. Damn, the kid was a fucking mess, but in a sweet, endearing sort of way. He was beginning to see what all the fuss was about. Stepping forward to take the drink, he didn’t anticipate that Fritz would decide to bring it to him instead. They collided in the middle of the waiting area, crushing the flimsy cup between them. Coffee exploded from the top like a geyser, spraying directly into Vander’s face and sloshing down the front of his uniform. “Oh. My. God.” The blood drained from Fritz’s face, leaving him deathly pale, and he took several steps away on trembling legs. “I’m sorry. Shit, I am so sorry.” If possible, his eyes grew even bigger. “Shit, I didn’t mean to say shit.” Then, he dropped his head and whimpered. “Just shoot me now.” The Nocturne Bay books are now live and available to read on Amazon!! Just a reminder that these books may start in the same place, but they are all standalone and can be read in any order. So, pick one and enjoy! You may also notice that some books are available to read with Kindle Unlimited and some aren't. This was solely the choice of the authors and what works best for them. Links are below and keep scrolling for an excerpt from Catnip! Excerpt from Catnip by Arden SteeleOn the other hand, if he didn’t walk through those doors, he might never see his mate again. Fate wasn’t exactly generous, rarely offering first, let alone second chances.
Oh, what did it even matter? The guy wore fancy suits and expensive shoes. He spoke with an air of class and sophistication that Ryo could never hope to match. They obviously came from two completely different worlds. His mate hadn’t commented on his skimpy dress or elaborate makeup, but it was a party after all. The likelihood that he would find it acceptable on a regular Tuesday was pretty slim. Not that Ryo gave in to those desires often, but in the privacy of his home, away from prying eyes and mocking tongues, he should be free to be himself. He shouldn’t have to worry that his mate might freak out over a pair of silk panties. “Ryo!” Startled out of his musings, Ryo jerked his head up, his brow furrowed as he watched his mate jogging toward him down the sidewalk. The male had pulled on a pair of tailored slacks before exiting the club, but apparently, he couldn’t be bothered with shoes or a shirt. Then again, Ryo wasn’t even wearing pants, so it wasn’t like he had room to talk. With all that smooth, gorgeously tanned skin stretched across hard, defined muscles, he was certainly garnering a good bit of attention from those waiting in line. Loud whistles and catcalls followed his approach, and one bold little imp actually stepped forward to block his path. A sharp growl from Ryo’s mate sent the little pixie scurrying back into the queue. “There you are,” he said as he marched right into Ryo’s personal space and cupped his cheek. “Are you okay? Do you need a ride home?” “Yes…I’m…” Gods, his hand was so warm. Losing his train of thought, Ryo closed his eyes and leaned into the touch. “I don’t even know your name.” “Andre.” He brushed his thumb over Ryo’s cheek, just below his eye. “Andre Vasso.” Ryo’s eyes flew open, and he jerked his head up, searching the demon’s face for any signs of deception. He found none, not in his expression or his scent. This really was the owner of The Underground. “Not what you were expecting?” Andre asked, his lips curved into a crooked grin. “I’m just a little surprised, that’s all.” Honestly, he was doing his best not to completely lose his shit. It didn’t seem logical or realistic that fate would pair him with one of the most eligible bachelors in Nocturne Bay. “You’re a hot topic around here.” The 5th Blackhaven Manor book is now available on Amazon and free to read with your KU subscription! I've loved Emrys since he was first introduced in Purrfect Harmony, and Cyrus is the perfect mate for him. Fair warning: this hellhound is growly, sexy, and he says fuck A. LOT. I tried to rein him in, I really did, but he's impossible. ;-) PIXIE LITTLE LIAR: BLACKHAVEN MANOR, BOOK 5There’s a heaviness to the air, the kind that makes the hairs on the back of Emrys Whitehill’s neck stand on end. Something is going to happen. Something big. Something that will change him forever. Despite his powers of precognition, however, a hellhound walking into the hotel to arrest him for a crime he didn’t commit is the one scenario he never saw coming. As a seasoned bounty hunter, Cyrus Rathborne thought he had experienced it all, but realizing his most recent target is his mate throws him completely off his game. While he can’t deny the connection, Emrys is wanted for the murder of a royal, and he won’t let those big innocent eyes deter him from doing what is right. Yet, the more he gets to know the sweet pixie, the harder it is to shake the feeling that the guy might actually be telling the truth. He should have trusted his instincts. It soon becomes clear that someone is determined to make Emrys disappear—permanently—and the only thing standing in their way is him. Transforming from hunter to protector, Cyrus will risk everything to keep his mate safe, because what started as just another job is now the one mission he can’t afford to fail. EXCERPT“Enough.” Emrys didn’t speak loudly, but everyone present turned to stare at him. Once he had their attention, he pushed his chin-length hair back from his face and nodded a couple of times. “I appreciate that you want to protect me, but let’s be real for a second. Nothing you say is going to change anything.” His gaze flickered to Cyrus, his resolve manifesting piece by visual piece. “I’m assuming there’s evidence against me, and you didn’t just pull my name out of a hat.”
Fuck, Cyrus hated this, but his mate was right. Nothing anyone said would change the facts. “There is evidence.” Emrys regarded him for another moment, then nodded again. “I’ll go with you.” “What?” Kol shouted. “Em, that’s a really bad idea.” “You didn’t do anything wrong,” the other male—Simon—added. “You don’t have to go,” Skye said, still calm and collected. Emrys gave her a sad smile. “Thanks, but I think I do. I know I didn’t kill anyone, and the best way to prove that is to just cooperate.” With only the smallest amount of hesitancy, he strode around the counter, coming to a stop mere inches from Cyrus. “Besides, my mate won’t let anything happen to me.” It was naïve, far too trusting, and also absolutely fucking correct. No one would lay a hand on his mate, except for maybe him. Preferably both hands. Without any barriers between them like those preppy white chinos that hugged Emrys’ ass like a second skin. Cyrus bit back a groan. Gods, he was so screwed. “Okay.” Emrys bobbed his head a couple of times, then pushed his wrists together before offering his hands up to him. “Do you, uh, need to restrain me or something?” That really shouldn’t have been as sexy as it was, but his cock apparently hadn’t gotten the message. Down boy. “No, I’m not going to restrain you.” Gently, he curled his fingers around Emrys’ wrists and pushed his hands back down to his sides. “Oh, okay.” An adorable frown pulled at his lips. “Sorry. I’ve never been a suspect before. I don’t really know how this works.” He held his hands up again. “Are you sure you don’t want to tie me up?” Fuuuck. Cyrus bit back another groan when his dick jerked against his zipper. Gods, it was going to be a long drive back to New Orleans. 7 M/M Paranormal Romance books featuring Bunny Shifters! Did I mention they're all FREE?? HEART, BUNNY, AND SOULM/M Paranormal Romance Approximately 15k Words **This is a short story that I have no plans to expand or publish. It will always remain a free read.** ![]() When Nate Reed dropped by the new bookstore in town, he’d been hoping to find an escape in the form of a paperback. He never thought that the love story he craved would end up being his own, but from the moment he locks eyes with the sexy owner, he can’t deny the fire that burns between them. Leaving the city for the small coastal town of Fate Harbor, Zach Thompson hadn’t expected much. In fact, he’d actively hoped for a quiet life free of complications. Then, a gorgeous man with a smile like the sun walks into his shop, and all those well-constructed plans go right out the window. While he knows the sweet bunny deserves better than some damaged werewolf with emotional baggage, he just can’t seem to let him go. Because the only thing that scares him more than commitment is the idea of losing Nate forever. Grin and Bear It: Blackhaven Manor, Book 4 is live a little early on Amazon! As always, it's available to read with your Kindle Unlimited subscription. Happy Reading! ![]() Thorne McIver is no ordinary bear shifter. He’s the monster whispered about in the dark, the beast feared in battles, and for hundreds of years, he’s used his formidable gifts to protect the royal families of the paranormal world. So, when he’s tasked with escorting the elven prince to a council meeting at Blackhaven Manor, he figures it’s just another assignment. Until he meets a stunning human who fills in all the pieces he didn’t know were missing. When he’d first started working at the hotel, Wren Covey had been a mess. He’d known almost nothing about Otherlings, their culture or rules, and everything had terrified him. Barely a year later, there’s not much he hasn’t seen, and hardly anything fazes him. Or so he thought, because nothing could have prepared him for being the mate to a genuine living legend. When an attack on the hotel tests his already divided loyalties, Thorne finds himself torn between love and duty. Though honor-bound to protect the prince, his instincts will always be to put his mate first. Now, he’ll have to find middle ground and figure out how to do both, or his happy ending will be over before it even begins. ExcerptTired from the journey, annoyed about his argument with Orrin, and frustrated over the situation with Wren, he grunted when he heard the knock at the door. Shutting off the water, he exited the shower, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around his waist as he stomped out of the bathroom. Ten feet from the door, his steps slowed, and his anger at being disturbed abated when a bright, earthy scent hit him like a wrecking ball. It reminded him of rain in early spring, when the days were still slightly chilled, and the winds gusted, sweeping away the last remnants of winter. There was only one being on earth who carried such an alluring fragrance, and he was the last person Thorne expected to be standing outside his room. He took a deep breath, groaning quietly as the scent invaded his nose and made his head swim. Then, he arranged his expression into a mask of indifference before opening the door. “Can I help you?” Wren stared up at him, his mouth slightly open, and his eyes so big they dominated his round face. The tip of his tongue darted out to wet his lips, and he looked down, only to jerk his head back up to meet Thorne’s gaze again. Though it looked like he might several times, he didn’t speak, but his shoulders rose and fell with every shallow breath. His heart pounded frantically, the sound loud enough that Thorne probably could have heard it even without supernatural senses. A thin sheen of perspiration coated his brow, and the scent of anxiety soured his natural scent until it was the only thing Thorne could smell. Putting it all together, he mentally sighed. His mate was absolutely terrified of him. Abandoning all hope of remaining neutral, he softened his expression and let his lips curl into a subtle grin. “Wren, right?” He spoke quietly, trying to be as unintimidating as he possibly knew how. “What can I do for you?” “I, uh…” He swallowed hard, his gaze raking over Thorne’s bare chest, all the way to his hips before snapping back to his face. “I’m…supposed to…” When he trailed off and made the same trek with his eyes again, Thorne had to fight back a chuckle. “Would you like to come in?” “No!” Wren practically shouted at him. Once he realized what he’d done, his eyes grew impossibly bigger, and the look of abject horror on his face was borderline comical. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I—” “So, you do want to come in?” “Yes.” He shook his head. “I mean, no.” He stopped again, frowning. “Can you please put some clothes on?” Thorne couldn’t stop himself that time. He laughed. “All the indecent parts are covered.” It was an interesting development. While his mate still wreaked of nervousness, Thorne also detected subtle notes of desire. “Please, come in, then you can tell me whatever you were sent here to tell me.” When Wren didn’t move, he reached out, keeping his movements slow and unthreatening. Placing his palm against the back of his mate’s shoulder, he applied a gentle pressure, encouraging rather than forcing him across the threshold. “There,” he said, closing the door to prying eyes, “that’s better, right?” Wren huffed. “Not really.” Dragon it OUt: Blackhaven Manor, Book 3As some of the last remaining dragon shifters in the world, Uriah Maddock and his siblings are regarded as something akin to royalty in the paranormal community. It’s one of the main reasons their hotel has become such a coveted destination for Otherlings. All he wants, though, is to be left alone. He’s not looking for love or romance. In fact, he actively avoids relationships and all their damning consequences. Too bad his meddling sister didn’t get the memo. Kit Meyers is pretty sure he’s hit rock bottom when his car breaks down in the small, mountain town of Echo Falls. He has no money, no place to live, and no prospects. When a not-so-chance encounter leads him to the infamous Blackhaven Manor, he figures he’ll stay for a few weeks, earn some cash, then head back to the safety of the road. But all that changes when he meets a surly dragon shifter with wounded eyes and even more baggage than himself. Uriah can’t commit to a houseplant, let alone to being someone’s mate. Convinced that Kit is better off without him, he’s prepared to leave everything behind if that means the skittish human will be safe and happy. Yet, as the days pass, he keeps finding new excuses to stay, until he’s finally forced to admit that he’s not going anywhere. Especially when he realizes he’s not the only dangerous person in Kit’s life. Read it Free with Kindle Unlimited! ExcerptUriah resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he returned to his desk. He didn’t like conducting interviews, and he certainly didn’t have the knack for it that Skye did. However, he wasn’t completely useless. Besides, as much as it pained him to admit it, if he did decide to take over the new hotel, his sister had a point. Hiring a new staff would be one of his first duties, so he might as well get used to it. He took a moment to straighten his black T-shirt and smooth any wrinkles from his dark-wash jeans. Then, he tidied up his desk as best he could without disrupting the work he’d been doing. On the bright side, if he did the interviews, maybe he could talk Skye into finishing the inventory. A soft knock sounded at his office door just as he settled down in his desk chair. A young woman with a pixie cut in a startling shade of bubblegum pink entered the room when he waved her in. She approached his desk cautiously, her hand shaking when she passed him what he assumed was her application and resume. He skimmed it quickly, asked her a few appropriate questions, then hired her on the spot—pending a background check—to replace one of the missing housekeepers. Sadly, the next three interviews didn’t go nearly as well. One guy had spent the entire interview flirting with him. Another young lady had been so terrified she had actually burst into tears and ran from the room. The other male had been decent, but unfortunately, Uriah had no choice but to send him away when he realized the kid was only sixteen. An hour later, he had conducted eleven interviews and only managed to find one more member for the housekeeping staff and one porter. He didn’t even know if they needed another bellhop, but the girl had been sweet, and she’d clearly needed the job. For all his bravado, by the time he reached the last name on the list—according to the two-word text Skye had sent him—he was starting to remember why he didn’t do interviews. Tentative, muffled footsteps reached his ears first, followed by a nervous cough and a long, shuddering sigh. Goddess, he could smell the anxiety wafting in the air, and the guy hadn’t even reached the office door yet. Taking pity on the poor soul, Uriah arranged his features to appear as non-threatening as possible. As the footsteps crept closer, however, the scent began to change, gradually deconstructing all of his careful preparation. The nervousness was still there, still the most prominent fragrance, but it was now tinged with something sweet and almost earthy. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, couldn’t place the scent, but it was the most intoxicating thing he’d ever smelled. It called to him, beckoned him closer. As if lassoed by some invisible line, he found himself halfway out of his seat by the time the newcomer reached the threshold of the doorway. That close, the scent hit him like a battering ram, nearly knocking him off his feet. If that wasn’t bad enough, it emanated from the most gorgeous man he’d ever seen. Thick, wheat-colored curls haloed a round, youthful face with soft lips, a petite nose, and big, mesmerizing eyes the color of cinnamon. A baggy shirt and loose-fitting khakis flared around a slender, narrow frame, and the little bit of exposed skin on display looked too pale, too delicate. Mine. That single word boomed inside his head, finally shaking him free of his hypnotic state. His mood plummeted, his emotions spinning from elation to fury in the span of seconds. And to think he’d actually believed his lying, conniving, meddling sister. “Practice my ass,” he grumbled under his breath. “Umm…Mr. Maddock?” The young man came forward a couple of steps. “I’m—” “Sit,” Uriah barked, cutting him off and pointing at the armchair in front of the desk. “Oh. Right. Okay.” He hurried to do what had been asked of him. Sparing him only a passing glance, Uriah stalked past him and marched toward the door. “Stay there,” he commanded. “I’ll be back.” “Is there a problem?” Even in his anger, his instincts wouldn’t let him leave the room without offering some type of comfort to his mate. “You didn’t do anything wrong.” He still couldn’t bring himself to look at the guy. Instead, he stared through the open doorway and growled. “I just have to go murder my sister.” Night and Fae: Blackhaven Manor, Book 2 is now available at Amazon and free to read with your Kindle Unlimited subscription! Colorful and eccentric, Leelan Rivers knows he’s a little too “extra” for some people. Since those people are exceedingly boring, he couldn’t care less about their opinion. Yet, when a night out leads him right into the arms of fate, he never expected the broody vampire to deny the connection between them. Wealthy and powerful, Sebastian Delgado is used to people wanting things from him. He’s not even surprised at the lies they’ll tell to get them. So, when Leelan claims to be his mate, he’s skeptical to say the least. Leelan might be beautiful and enchanting, but Sebastian has been disappointed too many times in the past not to be suspicious. All it takes is one bite to reveal the truth but claiming Leelan as his own comes with its own set of problems. Especially when he realizes he’s not the only vampire at Blackhaven Manor interested in the faerie. Excerpt“No need to play hard to get. You know you want it, or you wouldn’t be dressed like that.”
While true Leelan had been hoping to attract someone to take back to his room for the evening, that didn’t mean he lacked standards or self-respect. “I really think you should leave.” Too fast for his eyes to follow, the vampire reached across the table, grabbing Leelan’s wrist and squeezing it roughly. “I think you should be nicer—” “Now, now,” a smooth accented voice interrupted. “Is that any way to behave?” Leelan’s eyes rounded as the most gorgeous specimen of male he’d ever seen stepped up behind his date and wrapped a hand around the back of the vampire’s neck. Dressed impeccably in a tailored black suit that molded to his broad, muscular frame, the stranger looked like he could have stepped right off of a runway. No visible tattoos marked his tawny skin. He had no piercings, wore no jewelry, not even a watch. His dark hair was cut short and styled in a conservative though stylish side part. While not really the type Leelan usually went for, he still somehow managed to embody every wet dream Leelan had ever had. But that wasn’t why he couldn’t stop staring. “Get your fucking hands off me,” the vampire growled as he struggled against the hold on his nape. The new guy stroked the side of the male’s neck with his thumb. “Even a limited vocabulary doesn’t excuse poor manners.” As he spoke, his thumbnail grew, lengthening nearly two inches before ending in a sharp point. “Now, apologize.” While he spoke calmly, danger practically radiated from his very being. The vampire must have felt it, too, because he subsided in his chair and lowered his head in obvious submission. “I apologize,” he mumbled. Leelan’s rescuer smiled then, revealing long, lethal-looking canines. “Not to me, fledgling.” The guy seemed far less inclined to offer Leelan an apology, but he eventually lifted his head just enough to meet his gaze. “Sorry.” He winced when the sharp claw dug into his skin. “I’m sorry for being such a dick.” The other vampire—Leelan was pretty sure the newcomer was a vampire as well—turned his dark, penetrating stare on him. “Well, it wasn’t very eloquent, but will that suffice?” Leelan nodded numbly. “Very well.” Releasing the younger male’s neck, he grabbed the collar of his tank top instead and dragged him to his feet. “Off you go.” The guy wasted no time getting the hell out of there, and honestly, Leelan really couldn’t blame him. That had been simultaneously the sexiest and most terrifying thing he’d ever witnessed. “Thank you,” he blurted. “For, well—” He waved his hand vaguely toward the exit. “—you know.” “Of course.” Lowering himself into the now vacated seat, he reached across the table with another of those oddly chilling smiles. “Sebastian Delgado.” Leelan took the proffered hand and shivered as a jolt of electricity raced up his arm from the contact. Distracted by the sensation, as well as the misty haze of pure golden light that surrounded the vampire, he lost all train of thought. He knew he should say something, but by the fae, he couldn’t even remember his own name. Everything in his brain had been shunted to the side, allowing just one word to repeat on an endless loop. Mine. |
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