Showing posts with label wolf shifter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wolf shifter. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
A Christmas Interlude by Sandra Sookoo
Cover Artist: Anastasia Rabiyah
Genre: Paranormal Erotica/Historical
Length: Novella, 22,967 words, 70 Pages PDF
ISBN: 978-1-936165-65-0
Release Date: 12-1-2010
Heat Level: Erotic
Dangerous secrets can melt a cold winter’s night but are they hot enough to forge common ground?
In 1899 Indianapolis, adventurous sex isn’t exactly appropriate conversation for afternoon tea.
Yet, an exciting sex life is exactly what Chelsea wants desperately from her beau Luther. Tired of society’s strict conventions and his less than inspired fumblings in the bedroom, she devises a plan that is sure to bring Luther’s passions to the forefront.
Luther harbors a dark secret of his own. A werewolf by birth, he’s compelled to shift at each full moon but fears if he shares the knowledge with Chelsea, she’ll run in fear. What he doesn’t count on is her matching his appetites in the bedroom.
One long night of sexual play at a hotel during the Christmas season is all it takes to meet their needs yet will the confidences they keep unravel their love or will it strengthen the relationship as fast as a little light bondage?
EXCERPT:
The mystery surrounding the Luther she thought she’d known for three years grew and glimmered like sought after treasure. Could it be that she bored him in the bedroom? Was she the problem in their relationship in spite of her wishing for more, and because she’d said nothing about her needs until just recently, she was in danger of losing him?
Who was he really?
“Isn’t now the time when you move your business arrangement to more private quarters?” His whispered breath warmed her ear. An avalanche of shivery sensation erupted down her spine once more.
“How do you know that?” A burst of anger cut through the warm, sensuous cloud enveloping her. “Do you, uh, frequent these types of women regularly?”
“Not at all. You are the first to catch my eye, but I do see the transactions when I walk home sometimes.”
“Oh.” Relief flooded her system, washing out the anger. “That’s good since I…” Chelsea’s response died away when he rubbed the heel of one hand over her mound. Even though she wore too many layers for him to adequately tease her, an intense ache pin-wheeled through her core as she felt his fingers there. “Yes.” She pressed his hand more securely against her, but he yanked it away with an arrogant chuckle. She shook herself from the heavy stupor. Time to take matters into her own hands, as it were. If she wanted satisfaction from him, she needed to teach him how to please her. “I have a room in one of the hotels in town if you’d care to join me?"
He nodded and edged to the alley’s mouth. “That would be best, don’t you think? Taking you in the alley is not dignified, but I am prepared to do so if you would rather.” His eyes flashed golden in the dim light. “Or on one of the greenways, on a park bench, whatever will indulge your deepest fantasy. I reckon we could go to great lengths at melting some of this snow.”
Dear Lord! Who was this man? “Oh, no. The cabby is waiting.” She followed on shaky legs. When he stood aside so she could enter the carriage ahead of him, Chelsea did so, pausing on the step. She frowned as he conversed with the cabby. Their voices were too low for her to hear, but the driver did put up an argument.
“Yer lady hired me, sir, and I’ll be takin’ my orders from her.” Curiosity swirled in the driver’s voice, along with a bit of protectiveness.
Chelsea smiled, grateful that he, at least, thought to look after her in his own way. She opened her mouth to encourage him to do whatever Luther had proposed, but Luther pulled a wad of bills from his pocket and passed them to the cabby.
“I think this will more than make up for any trouble on your part or hers.”
“Yer right, sir, and then some.” He pocketed the cash and his dark eyes glittered. “I’ll follow those instructions to the letter, and here’s hoping you get right lucky this cold night.” He touched a finger to the brim of his hat and nodded. “As do I.” Luther gave her a gentle nudge.
When she recalled her situation and moved to enter the carriage, she gasped in surprise as Luther delivered a smart smack to her backside before settling himself on the seat next to her with an unconcerned air.
She faced the window, vowing to regain control of the seduction once they reached the privacy of the hotel. Luther Harrington would most likely revert to his usual boring self once confronted with the actual act of illicit fornication. He’d hem, haw, and offer a hundred excuses why he couldn’t be daring.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
First Christmas by Diana DeRicci
Author: Diana DeRicci
Cover Artist: Anastasia Rabiyah
Genre: Paranormal Gay Erotic Romance/Shapeshifter/Werewolf/
Length: Novella, 18,696 words, 54 pages PDF
ISBN: 978-1-936165-64-3
Release Date: November 17, 2010
Heat Level: Erotic
Warnings: Gay Male/Male
Purple Sword Publications
All Romance Ebooks
Cover Artist: Anastasia Rabiyah
Genre: Paranormal Gay Erotic Romance/Shapeshifter/Werewolf/
Length: Novella, 18,696 words, 54 pages PDF
ISBN: 978-1-936165-64-3
Release Date: November 17, 2010
Heat Level: Erotic
Warnings: Gay Male/Male
Purple Sword Publications
All Romance Ebooks
A stranded wolf. A cougar shifter to the rescue. Can the magic of one Christmas cure both their pain and loneliness?
Exhausted and injured, Jason is driven as a rogue wolf right into the arms of Lyndon, a man that by all he knows, he should never reveal his heart to. Yet when patience and compassion prove size can hide the heart of a gentle giant, a wounded Jason begins to heal. And to love again.
EXCERPT:
Snow fell in thick-flaked flurries, the windows iced in the corners in splintered patterns. Christmas carols played in random order from the CD disks Lyndon had inserted in the stereo. He loved the traditional carols, Bing Crosby being among his all time favorites.
No one could croon like Bing, Lyndon thought.
The evening grew dark with early night, and he sat in his favorite rocker reading in front of the fireplace. He’d learned to dismiss the derision at appearing like an old man because of his holiday habit. No one else had to know, and honestly, no one else did. Since his father died, he had no family to see, and doing more for Christmas than the small tree in the corner and enjoying the calm quiet when he was snowed in, just didn’t appeal to him.
But then again, most cougar shifters were solitary people to begin with. They didn’t congregate at huge family reunions. They were family oriented, but more of a nucleus family, not the in-laws’ cousins’ fourth removed and the subsequent divided tree limbs of family.
Tilting his head, he closed his eyes, catching the woeful howl of the wolf pack. Their songs bounced over the snow, keen and clear. He listened until it faded, then like a loop, started again. Except, their howls had changed, became hard, aggressive growls.
He sat up. That wasn’t like them, and they sounded very close.
Standing, he set the book in his hand on the mantle and walked to peer out his window. Limping out of the trees, he saw the blurred form of a wolf, hobbling.
The howls started again, and this time it was a hunting cry.
He knew the poor creature on the snow was the harried game. Grabbing his heavy jacket by the fire, he leaped into his snow boots, strapping them down, listening to the wolves’ cry.
He darted through the house, leaving by the side door of the mudroom, circling back around, searching the tree line where he’d seen it. Gray dusk made the snow seem even thicker as it fell, but he could just make out movement yards ahead of him.
The animal had stopped, though streams of steam proved it still lived. He didn’t recognize this one from his studies, and he’d catalogued over forty-five different wolves in the local packs. His home, an old look-out cabin, sat nearly on the border of their two territories, so every now and then, he actually could watch both, but for the most part, they avoided each other’s land.
Cutting through the snow, he listened, the howls coming closer. His hands were beginning to chill, and he stuffed them in his pockets, his fingers digging, but coming up empty. No gloves. He remembered. They were on the shelf drying out from his last foray outdoors. Couldn’t be helped, he was halfway to the panting animal.
Gray eyes focused on him as he neared. It didn’t attempt to escape, it didn’t snarl, and it didn’t become defensive. It laid there. Studying it as he drew closer, he knew this one wasn’t one of the wolves from either pack. He could also see what the problem was. A bloody paw was packed with snow and debris.
“Poor baby,” he murmured. “Found an old trap, didn’t you?” Cautiously, he eased his way forward, its gray eyes staying focused, yet its demeanor never changed. His brow furrowed. “You can’t be a wild wolf. You’d have tried to take my head off by now. I hope you’re not a release wolf that hasn’t found his footing.” He’d have to radio the conservation center when the storm blew over to see if this one resembled one of their release wolves.
A snarl whipped his attention over his shoulder. Three sets of eyes. Pissed off eyes glared at him. He growled low in his chest, hissing. The wolves were completely confused, tails in the air, full battle gear locked and loaded.
Not turning his back on the three, he crouched and gently lifted the animal from the cold snow. It hung limp as a rag in his arms. “Definitely not wild,” he breathed, the words forming as clouds in the bitter cold. “All right, let’s see what we can do about your foot.”
He had to take the chance to turn away from the watching trio to get back to the cabin. Golden lights soothingly glowed through the frosted glass window in the front. The wolves that had been chasing his cargo stayed behind in the trees, sharp snaps and punctuated growls voicing their displeasure as he took away their game.
“Too bad.”
But they didn’t follow him. The wolf’s forefoot was a mess. With a glance, he hoped it was really only packed and not badly injured. It would be a shame that a release wolf would have to be reclaimed because of an injury like this. Nudging his way into the mudroom, he used a shoulder to secure the door then laid the wolf on a pile of summer rugs.
It whimpered once as its body settled. Gray eyes closed. Taking a quick inventory, he realized there wasn’t a tag on this wolf anywhere. Hm. Not a release wolf? He stood slowly, still being cautious with the animal, but it seemed absolutely unconcerned with its eyes closed, resting, to anything Lyndon might do.
He slipped from his jacket and hung it on the peg near the door, doing the same with his boots, ready for him on the floor.
Now, he was definitely curious and concerned about the wolf before him. Not a release wolf, but way too docile to be a wild pack wolf. Lyndon couldn’t remember any like this one, ever.
Kneeling, he lightly touched it, waiting for a reaction, but all it did was open its eyes. “You aren’t wild, are you?” he asked quietly. “Is that why they were chasing you? Because you’re not wolf?”
It raised its head with a jerk, startled eyes sharpening and focusing on him.
“Thought so. You don’t have to shift if you don’t want to. I know it’s uncomfortable when you don’t know where you are, and the injury won’t shift well with you. If it helps, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m a researcher. A cougar shifter with an affinity and divine love of wolves.” He smiled warmly. “Okay, before I talk you to tears—casualty of living alone during the winter—let me see if we can get your paw cleaned up.”
Exhausted and injured, Jason is driven as a rogue wolf right into the arms of Lyndon, a man that by all he knows, he should never reveal his heart to. Yet when patience and compassion prove size can hide the heart of a gentle giant, a wounded Jason begins to heal. And to love again.
EXCERPT:
Snow fell in thick-flaked flurries, the windows iced in the corners in splintered patterns. Christmas carols played in random order from the CD disks Lyndon had inserted in the stereo. He loved the traditional carols, Bing Crosby being among his all time favorites.
No one could croon like Bing, Lyndon thought.
The evening grew dark with early night, and he sat in his favorite rocker reading in front of the fireplace. He’d learned to dismiss the derision at appearing like an old man because of his holiday habit. No one else had to know, and honestly, no one else did. Since his father died, he had no family to see, and doing more for Christmas than the small tree in the corner and enjoying the calm quiet when he was snowed in, just didn’t appeal to him.
But then again, most cougar shifters were solitary people to begin with. They didn’t congregate at huge family reunions. They were family oriented, but more of a nucleus family, not the in-laws’ cousins’ fourth removed and the subsequent divided tree limbs of family.
Tilting his head, he closed his eyes, catching the woeful howl of the wolf pack. Their songs bounced over the snow, keen and clear. He listened until it faded, then like a loop, started again. Except, their howls had changed, became hard, aggressive growls.
He sat up. That wasn’t like them, and they sounded very close.
Standing, he set the book in his hand on the mantle and walked to peer out his window. Limping out of the trees, he saw the blurred form of a wolf, hobbling.
The howls started again, and this time it was a hunting cry.
He knew the poor creature on the snow was the harried game. Grabbing his heavy jacket by the fire, he leaped into his snow boots, strapping them down, listening to the wolves’ cry.
He darted through the house, leaving by the side door of the mudroom, circling back around, searching the tree line where he’d seen it. Gray dusk made the snow seem even thicker as it fell, but he could just make out movement yards ahead of him.
The animal had stopped, though streams of steam proved it still lived. He didn’t recognize this one from his studies, and he’d catalogued over forty-five different wolves in the local packs. His home, an old look-out cabin, sat nearly on the border of their two territories, so every now and then, he actually could watch both, but for the most part, they avoided each other’s land.
Cutting through the snow, he listened, the howls coming closer. His hands were beginning to chill, and he stuffed them in his pockets, his fingers digging, but coming up empty. No gloves. He remembered. They were on the shelf drying out from his last foray outdoors. Couldn’t be helped, he was halfway to the panting animal.
Gray eyes focused on him as he neared. It didn’t attempt to escape, it didn’t snarl, and it didn’t become defensive. It laid there. Studying it as he drew closer, he knew this one wasn’t one of the wolves from either pack. He could also see what the problem was. A bloody paw was packed with snow and debris.
“Poor baby,” he murmured. “Found an old trap, didn’t you?” Cautiously, he eased his way forward, its gray eyes staying focused, yet its demeanor never changed. His brow furrowed. “You can’t be a wild wolf. You’d have tried to take my head off by now. I hope you’re not a release wolf that hasn’t found his footing.” He’d have to radio the conservation center when the storm blew over to see if this one resembled one of their release wolves.
A snarl whipped his attention over his shoulder. Three sets of eyes. Pissed off eyes glared at him. He growled low in his chest, hissing. The wolves were completely confused, tails in the air, full battle gear locked and loaded.
Not turning his back on the three, he crouched and gently lifted the animal from the cold snow. It hung limp as a rag in his arms. “Definitely not wild,” he breathed, the words forming as clouds in the bitter cold. “All right, let’s see what we can do about your foot.”
He had to take the chance to turn away from the watching trio to get back to the cabin. Golden lights soothingly glowed through the frosted glass window in the front. The wolves that had been chasing his cargo stayed behind in the trees, sharp snaps and punctuated growls voicing their displeasure as he took away their game.
“Too bad.”
But they didn’t follow him. The wolf’s forefoot was a mess. With a glance, he hoped it was really only packed and not badly injured. It would be a shame that a release wolf would have to be reclaimed because of an injury like this. Nudging his way into the mudroom, he used a shoulder to secure the door then laid the wolf on a pile of summer rugs.
It whimpered once as its body settled. Gray eyes closed. Taking a quick inventory, he realized there wasn’t a tag on this wolf anywhere. Hm. Not a release wolf? He stood slowly, still being cautious with the animal, but it seemed absolutely unconcerned with its eyes closed, resting, to anything Lyndon might do.
He slipped from his jacket and hung it on the peg near the door, doing the same with his boots, ready for him on the floor.
Now, he was definitely curious and concerned about the wolf before him. Not a release wolf, but way too docile to be a wild pack wolf. Lyndon couldn’t remember any like this one, ever.
Kneeling, he lightly touched it, waiting for a reaction, but all it did was open its eyes. “You aren’t wild, are you?” he asked quietly. “Is that why they were chasing you? Because you’re not wolf?”
It raised its head with a jerk, startled eyes sharpening and focusing on him.
“Thought so. You don’t have to shift if you don’t want to. I know it’s uncomfortable when you don’t know where you are, and the injury won’t shift well with you. If it helps, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m a researcher. A cougar shifter with an affinity and divine love of wolves.” He smiled warmly. “Okay, before I talk you to tears—casualty of living alone during the winter—let me see if we can get your paw cleaned up.”
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Shifted Perceptions by Diana DeRicci
Shifted Perceptions
Diana DeRicci
ISBN 978-1-936165-66-7
Word Count: 28,734
PDF Page Count: 79
Heat Index: Erotic
Does this book contain violence? No
Genre(s): Paranormal Erotic Romance/ Werewolf Shapeshifter / Ménage
Buy Link:
http://purplesword.com/
Dali Bowman has a secret desire, one that she’s already witnessed her closest friends discover for themselves. When Rex Adkins and Gage Hall come into her life, she likes what she sees, and is willing to take the chance. On her terms.
Rex and Gage have been friends since high school, as close as brothers in almost all aspects of their lives, from the secret they both share to the craving they have to find a woman that will complete them as a family. When Rex and Gage meet Dali, the attraction is instant. The confusion is their wolves’ muted interest. Are they wrong? Is Dali the one woman for them?
When they take away Dali’s freedom of choice, she runs, slamming the door on them and their advances. Can they salvage their chance or has their impetuous behavior cost them more than either could imagine?
Blurb:
“Is that a good bet?” Rex asked her. Music played in the background as the bar had filled with Thursday night customers and couples, the insides getting decidedly noisier. The other two tables were being played now too, so she had to stay kind of close to Gage and Rex. Not that she minded. And now, he'd made a bet.
Dali's heart raced. Two kisses. Or two men running their hands all over her. She tried to find moisture in her mouth. She'd gone bone dry. Her stomach fluttered, heat oozing to settle between her legs.
“I'll take it.” It was a win-win for her. Rex flashed a smile that could only be deemed as predatory. “One condition,” she cautioned. He stopped circling the table, waiting. She walked up to him and Gage followed her.
“No matter the winner, later or outside, but just not here. I'm not an exhibitionist.”
Rex actually sighed his way through a tender laugh. “Dali, we're not animals.” He cupped her cheek and held her for a moment, his thumb stroking her. It was just as well that he'd made the bet. It was getting late enough that she needed to get home. The last dose she'd taken to stop her sneezing wouldn't last for much longer, and she still had an antibiotic to take. She'd been proactive and made sure there was something she could take with the meds if she'd needed, glad now that she had. She wasn't about to sniffle and sneeze the whole evening. She couldn't wait until the antibiotics did their thing, and she could feel normal again.
Dali went to return to her spot when Rex let her go, and she flattened right into Gage's chest, unaware he'd been right behind her. His arm swept around her naturally. “Easy, darlin',” he said gently at her ear. His breath was warm, smelling faintly of the beer they'd been drinking. “There's something you should know.”
She tried to swallow, but it was a wasted effort. “What?” she managed. Her lungs had ceased to work. His arm was strong and gentle at the same time, holding her upright, which was good. She was too close to melting to the floor again.
“Rex and me, we take good care of our woman.” His thumb lifted, stroking right beneath her breast, his nail dragging seductively across the bottom of her bra. Her body tightened and her pussy ached, throbbing for more, for touch.
Woman. One. She knew she hadn't misheard him. Liquid heat spread, reaching to between her legs. She spasmed, aching.
Rex stood, frozen, watching them, his eyes glittering like blue flames in the bar lights. The world around them vanished with that spark of desire burning in his blue eyes and Gage's hard body enveloping hers.
Dali's heart thrummed, the entire process taking no more than a second to dissect. She hadn't been misreading them! Both of these men wanted her. It sent her heart careening into her ribs for several seconds as lust and desire washed through her.
She knew Jason, her boss and the owner of the health club where she worked, and Victor, his oldest friend, shared the woman they both loved, Leesa. Those closest to them knew their idiosyncrasies, and Dali had been friends with Jason and Victor for a long time and had more than one opportunity to hear about Leesa's happiness while at work. Dali also knew she'd never be more than friends with either Jason or Victor, but they'd opened her eyes to something. She wasn't what most would call normal. She didn't crave the same things most women did.
Well, maybe she did. She wanted a man to look at her like he couldn't live without her. She wanted a man to respect her, protect her, cherish her. But what she wanted physically, couldn't be done with just one man. She needed, desired, and hungered for two. Two men to love her body, to please her as she could pleasure them. What Jason and Victor had proven could be done, she wanted. And it looked like she wasn't alone in the wanting.
Leaning relaxed into Gage's chest, she dared, “Make your shot, Rex.”
His jaw twitched and he laughed. “Minx.”
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
An Arrangement of Three
Author: Anastasia Rabiyah
Cover Artist: Anastasia Rabiyah
Genre: Paranormal Erotic Romance/ Menage/ Shapeshifter
Length: Novella, 30,044 words. 103 Pages PDF
ISBN: 978-1-936165-59-9
Release Date: 10-6-2010
Heat Level: Erotic
Warnings: Violence, MFM, Menage
http://purplesword.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=62
Sherri's second chance at love is twice what she bargained for.
Safe, steady, straight on course to a happily ever after. That was Sherri's life before today. Sure she'd had to give up things to make it work; her old home, her old job, not to mention moving to hellishly hot Arizona where she had no friends and her co-workers despised her, but marriage is a compromise, right? And she wanted marriage, with Roger. Dependable, reliable Roger. It all fell apart when she came home early and discovered that Roger wasn't as loyal as she'd thought.
Her lighthouse in the stormy nightmare of deceit and infidelity is an old friend she's never met in person, but who has always been there, waiting for her. David takes Sherri in, promising to keep her safe in his secluded cabin so she can recover. But Sherri isn't safe at all when his roommate arrives home and knows with one look that he wants her. Two men vying for her attentions, one patient and kind, the other all lust, both harboring a dark secret that keeps them inseparable. A relationship like this can't work, can it?
EXCERPT:
Another ten minutes passed before a red Mustang pulled up next to her car. She squinted at the man who got out. He brushed strands of dark blond hair from his eyes. She had seen pictures of him on the net before—always dressed in a business suit. David wore a rumpled white t-shirt and blue jeans today. He strode across the lot, his face riddled with concern lines.
The bell jingled on the glass door. David scanned the patrons. His brown eyes pierced right through her. He smiled and hurried over. “Sherri,” he said when she stood, holding out her hand in a safe, professional gesture. “I’m so sorry this happened.” His embrace crushed his body against hers so that she felt every curve of taut muscle across his chest and the lump in his pants as well.
She swallowed and hugged him back, her tears starting fresh. “Thanks. Thanks for coming, for being here. I don’t know what to do.”
“Stay with me. It’s not much, but a cabin in the woods might do you good. Nature has a way of putting life, and what’s important, into perspective. You can stay as long as you like.” His mouth touched her temple in a gentle kiss. “You’re welcome there.”
“No, I couldn’t impose. I can’t…”
“You can. It’s an invitation from friend to friend. We’ve known each other for years, just never in person. I feel like you’re family. A sister.”
Her skin went cold. Trapped in his comforting arms, she didn’t want to feel like his sister at all. She wanted him to press that tender mouth of his against her lips and make her forget. The animal attraction she felt for him sent a burning shiver through her womb. Sherri let her arms fall to her sides, afraid of what she felt, completely surprised by it. I can’t take any risks. I can’t try again. Never again. Besides, he’s gay.
His warm hand rubbed up and down the small of her back in soothing motions. “Let’s get out of here, okay? You don’t need to be in a public place. You need to be somewhere quiet where you can work everything out.”
He pulled away and stared down at her. She hadn’t thought he would be so tall. He stood a head over her, imposing and kind all mixed in one.
“Yes, all right,” she blurted, surprised again that she agreed so easily. He was persuasive in a subtle way, and really, it had been her plan all along. “I won’t stay more than a couple of days. I promise. Just until I get my bearings. I might have to move back to my mother’s house.”
“No, no. Stay as long as you need to. You’ve got that new job and all.”
She sobbed. “Well, that’s the other thing. I quit.”
“Oh.” He sucked in a breath and grasped his chin. “Hey, I can talk to my partner. He does research on the Mexican Gray Wolves they’ve released into the wild. He could use an assistant. It’s grant money, so it doesn’t pay much, but it’s better than nothing, and it’ll keep you at the cabin.”
“Really?” His kindness gave her hope. David was safe, a safe place to hide, and maybe a new beginning for a decent job.
“I’ll have to ask him first. He’ll be home late tonight.”
“Thanks, David. Thank you for this. I didn’t know what to do, or where to go.”
He took her hand, his fingers knitting with hers, and led her away. They passed out of the coffee shop into the parking lot. After he gave her directions to his house, she started her car and followed his Mustang, thinking she had done the right thing.
The drive through and out of Clifton was boring. Organized landscaping gave way to desert scrub and vast sections of cactus and wilds. In the distance, Sherri stared at the looming blue-gray mountains. She didn’t know anything about David’s partner and hadn’t realized they lived so far out of the way.
They passed onto a rough asphalt road leading into the Apache National Forest. She reached over to turn on the radio, but could only pick up a static laced country station. After a few minutes, she gave up and switched it off.
A feeling of angst settled in the pit of her stomach. Her nerves were shot. She blinked away another flood of tears. Following her friend on a winding road that led into the mountains, she began to question what she was doing. He might be some nutcase, an axe murderer taking me into the trees to chop me to bits and bury me. She decided no one but her mother would really care if she didn’t show up again. Surely Roger would be relieved.
A reckless sense of rage washed over Sherri. She decided she didn’t care what happened next. Worrying over her future had gotten her in the state she found herself in at that moment. Trying to be too careful, to make all the right choices hadn’t worked out. She focused on the shape of the man driving in front of her and wished he wasn’t gay, that they could have a wild, vengeful fling and immediately reprimanded herself for it. Be careful what you wish for, she thought.
This was David. Her friend. Her lighthouse in the midst of a dark, stormy nightmare. She wouldn’t use him like that even if she could.
The Mustang turned onto a dirt road and slowed to fifteen miles an hour. She saw the cabin long before they reached it. An old-fashioned timber built model, it boasted a side deck with balcony and a stone chimney. She wondered if they had heating or if it would be cold nights huddled by a fire for her.
Her cell phone rang. She reached for it on instinct, saw Roger’s number, and shoved it back where she’d found it. “Bastard.”
David parked on the gravel drive. He got out as she pulled in next to him. Snatching up her purse, she climbed out of her car and smiled awkwardly. “Thanks for this.”
“No problem.” He shrugged. “Do you have a suitcase or anything?”
"No.”
His forehead crinkled.
“I walked in on him, all right? He was having sex with his boss in our bed. Right in our house.”
He sighed and put an arm over her shoulder, his warm scent pleasing. “Come inside, Sher. We’ll have a drink or two. You can tell me everything or nothing at all.”
Trying to catch her breath, she kept pace with him. He left his arm around her when he unlocked the door. Inside it was dark, the large sitting room inviting and restful. He guided her to a leather couch that faced the fireplace and sank in beside her. She cried into his t-shirt while he stroked her hair.
“You’ll be all right,” he soothed. “You’ll see. Everything happens for a reason.”
Her eyes hurt. The beginning of a headache pounded her temples. Feeling safe in his arms, she closed her eyes and tried to stop thinking about what had happened. His heart thrummed by her ear, steady and low. Each intake of his breath pushed his chest against her cheek. She smelled soap on his skin.
His fingers kept combing through her locks, running over her scalp and down past her neck. “I’ll take care of you,” he promised. “No one’s going to hurt you here.”
Cover Artist: Anastasia Rabiyah
Genre: Paranormal Erotic Romance/ Menage/ Shapeshifter
Length: Novella, 30,044 words. 103 Pages PDF
ISBN: 978-1-936165-59-9
Release Date: 10-6-2010
Heat Level: Erotic
Warnings: Violence, MFM, Menage
http://purplesword.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=62
Sherri's second chance at love is twice what she bargained for.
Safe, steady, straight on course to a happily ever after. That was Sherri's life before today. Sure she'd had to give up things to make it work; her old home, her old job, not to mention moving to hellishly hot Arizona where she had no friends and her co-workers despised her, but marriage is a compromise, right? And she wanted marriage, with Roger. Dependable, reliable Roger. It all fell apart when she came home early and discovered that Roger wasn't as loyal as she'd thought.
Her lighthouse in the stormy nightmare of deceit and infidelity is an old friend she's never met in person, but who has always been there, waiting for her. David takes Sherri in, promising to keep her safe in his secluded cabin so she can recover. But Sherri isn't safe at all when his roommate arrives home and knows with one look that he wants her. Two men vying for her attentions, one patient and kind, the other all lust, both harboring a dark secret that keeps them inseparable. A relationship like this can't work, can it?
EXCERPT:
Another ten minutes passed before a red Mustang pulled up next to her car. She squinted at the man who got out. He brushed strands of dark blond hair from his eyes. She had seen pictures of him on the net before—always dressed in a business suit. David wore a rumpled white t-shirt and blue jeans today. He strode across the lot, his face riddled with concern lines.
The bell jingled on the glass door. David scanned the patrons. His brown eyes pierced right through her. He smiled and hurried over. “Sherri,” he said when she stood, holding out her hand in a safe, professional gesture. “I’m so sorry this happened.” His embrace crushed his body against hers so that she felt every curve of taut muscle across his chest and the lump in his pants as well.
She swallowed and hugged him back, her tears starting fresh. “Thanks. Thanks for coming, for being here. I don’t know what to do.”
“Stay with me. It’s not much, but a cabin in the woods might do you good. Nature has a way of putting life, and what’s important, into perspective. You can stay as long as you like.” His mouth touched her temple in a gentle kiss. “You’re welcome there.”
“No, I couldn’t impose. I can’t…”
“You can. It’s an invitation from friend to friend. We’ve known each other for years, just never in person. I feel like you’re family. A sister.”
Her skin went cold. Trapped in his comforting arms, she didn’t want to feel like his sister at all. She wanted him to press that tender mouth of his against her lips and make her forget. The animal attraction she felt for him sent a burning shiver through her womb. Sherri let her arms fall to her sides, afraid of what she felt, completely surprised by it. I can’t take any risks. I can’t try again. Never again. Besides, he’s gay.
His warm hand rubbed up and down the small of her back in soothing motions. “Let’s get out of here, okay? You don’t need to be in a public place. You need to be somewhere quiet where you can work everything out.”
He pulled away and stared down at her. She hadn’t thought he would be so tall. He stood a head over her, imposing and kind all mixed in one.
“Yes, all right,” she blurted, surprised again that she agreed so easily. He was persuasive in a subtle way, and really, it had been her plan all along. “I won’t stay more than a couple of days. I promise. Just until I get my bearings. I might have to move back to my mother’s house.”
“No, no. Stay as long as you need to. You’ve got that new job and all.”
She sobbed. “Well, that’s the other thing. I quit.”
“Oh.” He sucked in a breath and grasped his chin. “Hey, I can talk to my partner. He does research on the Mexican Gray Wolves they’ve released into the wild. He could use an assistant. It’s grant money, so it doesn’t pay much, but it’s better than nothing, and it’ll keep you at the cabin.”
“Really?” His kindness gave her hope. David was safe, a safe place to hide, and maybe a new beginning for a decent job.
“I’ll have to ask him first. He’ll be home late tonight.”
“Thanks, David. Thank you for this. I didn’t know what to do, or where to go.”
He took her hand, his fingers knitting with hers, and led her away. They passed out of the coffee shop into the parking lot. After he gave her directions to his house, she started her car and followed his Mustang, thinking she had done the right thing.
The drive through and out of Clifton was boring. Organized landscaping gave way to desert scrub and vast sections of cactus and wilds. In the distance, Sherri stared at the looming blue-gray mountains. She didn’t know anything about David’s partner and hadn’t realized they lived so far out of the way.
They passed onto a rough asphalt road leading into the Apache National Forest. She reached over to turn on the radio, but could only pick up a static laced country station. After a few minutes, she gave up and switched it off.
A feeling of angst settled in the pit of her stomach. Her nerves were shot. She blinked away another flood of tears. Following her friend on a winding road that led into the mountains, she began to question what she was doing. He might be some nutcase, an axe murderer taking me into the trees to chop me to bits and bury me. She decided no one but her mother would really care if she didn’t show up again. Surely Roger would be relieved.
A reckless sense of rage washed over Sherri. She decided she didn’t care what happened next. Worrying over her future had gotten her in the state she found herself in at that moment. Trying to be too careful, to make all the right choices hadn’t worked out. She focused on the shape of the man driving in front of her and wished he wasn’t gay, that they could have a wild, vengeful fling and immediately reprimanded herself for it. Be careful what you wish for, she thought.
This was David. Her friend. Her lighthouse in the midst of a dark, stormy nightmare. She wouldn’t use him like that even if she could.
The Mustang turned onto a dirt road and slowed to fifteen miles an hour. She saw the cabin long before they reached it. An old-fashioned timber built model, it boasted a side deck with balcony and a stone chimney. She wondered if they had heating or if it would be cold nights huddled by a fire for her.
Her cell phone rang. She reached for it on instinct, saw Roger’s number, and shoved it back where she’d found it. “Bastard.”
David parked on the gravel drive. He got out as she pulled in next to him. Snatching up her purse, she climbed out of her car and smiled awkwardly. “Thanks for this.”
“No problem.” He shrugged. “Do you have a suitcase or anything?”
"No.”
His forehead crinkled.
“I walked in on him, all right? He was having sex with his boss in our bed. Right in our house.”
He sighed and put an arm over her shoulder, his warm scent pleasing. “Come inside, Sher. We’ll have a drink or two. You can tell me everything or nothing at all.”
Trying to catch her breath, she kept pace with him. He left his arm around her when he unlocked the door. Inside it was dark, the large sitting room inviting and restful. He guided her to a leather couch that faced the fireplace and sank in beside her. She cried into his t-shirt while he stroked her hair.
“You’ll be all right,” he soothed. “You’ll see. Everything happens for a reason.”
Her eyes hurt. The beginning of a headache pounded her temples. Feeling safe in his arms, she closed her eyes and tried to stop thinking about what had happened. His heart thrummed by her ear, steady and low. Each intake of his breath pushed his chest against her cheek. She smelled soap on his skin.
His fingers kept combing through her locks, running over her scalp and down past her neck. “I’ll take care of you,” he promised. “No one’s going to hurt you here.”
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
New Release: Delany's Catch
Delany's CatchDiana DeRicci
ISBN 978-1-936165-56-8
Word Count: 27788
PDF Page Count: 78
Heat Index: Erotic
Does this book contain violence? Yes
Genre(s): Paranormal Erotic Romance/werewolf/shifter/ GLBT(M/M)
http://purplesword.com/
Can love overcome the destructive force of an unnatural secret?
Alone since his boyfriend left him for another man, Jake Holiday has been working his bookstore, treading water, and keeping to himself. It was simple and uncomplicated.
Delany Coltrane changed that.
Turning a corner looking for an address, Del wasn't expecting to find the hot guy hidden under the stack of boxes, but couldn't regret needing to ask for directions. Not when Jake was his wolf's mate, and too damn sexy to ignore even if he weren't.
But with money problems and safety at the bookstore an issue, can Del and Jake find a middle ground to let their attraction flourish? Because trust is essential to share Del's largest secret with Jake. A secret that encompasses not just Delany, but his whole family.
Del's wolf was whining, wanting to comfort the man at Del's side. Something was bothering his mate. He was nervous and unsure. Even Del could sense the tension radiating off of him now. Taking a slow breath in through his nose, he calmed his desire as much as he could. Time. He'd said he had it. Time to put his money where his mouth was. He wouldn't push for more than Jake was willing to give. Though holding back was killing him.
Damn he wanted Jake Holiday.
They didn't say much on the drive, both lost in their thoughts. He tapped the garage opener pinned above him on the visor and the door began to lift ahead of them.
“Nice house,” Jake said, eyeing the front of Del's home, a suburban carbon copy of most of the homes in his area. Nothing fancy. Del lived alone, and for himself, he didn't need much. It was more for the location than anything else. What Del needed was room to run and he had friends close by with open woodland, available to the free running of the wolf pack. He stopped thinking about it when the next obvious worry was how Jake would take his secret reared up on him.
“What do you have?” Evasion tactics deployed!
“An apartment. Nothing fancy.”
“Close to the store?”
“Yeah. How'd you guess?” Jake let his buckle snap loose, smiling congenially at Del.
“Just a good one.” Sliding from the pick-up, he waited for Jake, then hit the garage button when he stood at the access door. “Make yourself at home. There's no one else but me and you.” Del wondered if Jake realized how he meant those words, that there'd never been any intimate male in the house with him. Friends and family? Couldn't stop them. Lovers?
Just Jake.
Soon to be lover, he corrected himself. Del popped open the fridge. “Beer? Water?”
“Not right now. Thanks.”
“Sure.” Del opted for a bottle of water for himself. Spying Jake looking a little lost, he reached for a hand and tugged when he found skin. He came to rest easily on Del's chest. “Hey, it's okay. We'll go kick back on the couch.” Del ran his hands down Jake's spine, stopping at the top of his ass. He'd been dying to get his hands on it, just to touch, shape, feel. Del knew he wouldn't be able to stop with his hands though. He couldn't wait to sink his teeth into those perfect globes, marking the firm skin with love bites, marking him as his. He let out a slow breath, determined to not accost Jake.
“Has anyone ever accused you of being overwhelming?” Jake slouched comfortably along Del's frame with his arms loosely looped around his torso.
“Once or twice,” he answered. “Come on, sexy.” He led Jake to the living room, to toss him the remote once they stood in front of the TV. “Here. Be useful.”
He sat to unlace his boots, kicking them off with a sigh of pleasure. He wiggled his toes within his socks. “Much better.” He set them by the couch to find later, then scooted back. Palming a pillow, he settled it on his thigh. “Come here.” He patted the pillow. “Let me at least touch you.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Subscribe To
Posts
All Comments
October Showcase
