Sarah Mäkelä's Blog, page 9

July 11, 2014

The Wolf Pack's Shifter Romance Sale and Giveaway

Hey everyone! The Wolf Pack is running again. Check out our latest 99 cent sale and giveaway with lots of great prizes. If you'd like even more giveaways and fun, join the Wolf Pack Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1435064660059434/

Also, here's the giveaway: www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e05c9016/

Below are the books on sale. Please verify the prices before buying since prices can change without notice! Enjoy!

Amazon | NOOK

Amazon

Amazon | NOOK

Amazon

Amazon | NOOK

Amazon

Amazon | NOOK

Amazon

Amazon | NOOK

Amazon

Amazon | NOOK

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Published on July 11, 2014 07:43

June 17, 2014

The Wolf Who Played With Fire is Now Available!

The Wolf Who Played With Fire - Cry Wolf #2
Sarah Mäkelä

Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Kissa Press LLC
Date of Publication: June 17, 2014

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Who-Played-Fire-Paranormal-ebook/dp/B00L1WNCB0/
B&N - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-wolf-who-played-with-fire-sarah-makela/1119742733?ean=2940149747719
Kobo - http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-wolf-who-played-with-fire
ARe - https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thewolfwhoplayedwithfire-1523543-344.html
Google Play - https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sarah_Makela_The_Wolf_Who_Played_With_Fire?id=xcXNAwAAQBAJ
Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/447946

Book Description:

Some magic can’t be unspun…

Meddling in magic…
If Mia Brooks could turn back time, it would be to when she used her fledgling magic to craft a potion for an injured werewolf. It nearly killed the Pack Alpha, and now the lives of her witch mentor, Jessa, and her soldier boyfriend, Ethan Parker, have been changed forever. Jessa is in hospital after a vicious werewolf attack. And, Ethan, having being bitten, is becoming a werewolf himself.

A wolf at the door…
Mia can’t turn back time, but she can try to make things right with the two people she cares about most. She’s keeping Jessa’s shop, Eternally Magick, open, and she’s there for Ethan as his inner wolf grows. But, by the next full moon, his transformation will be complete. Can she really be the mate of a half-man-half-wolf, living within the law of the Pack?

Under his spell…
Struggling to contain his new lupine senses, Ethan goes missing on active duty. When Mia realizes her werewolf lover has been abducted, she knows must harness every magic power she possesses to get him safely back…

Excerpt:

Water slid over my body, and I lifted my face to the warm spray. Delicious soreness ached in my muscles as I reached for the shampoo. Crashing at Ethan's house was dangerous, but the romantic rendezvous we'd shared had taken me to new heights of pleasure.

However, not all good things last forever.

My brother, Nolan, lived with Ethan, keeping an eye on the place while Ethan was deployed with the Army. Neither of us knew exactly when Nolan would arrive home from spending the weekend with his girlfriend, but he had work in a few hours. The chances of him swinging by were high. That meant I needed to leave as soon as possible.

Part of me hoped I could slink away before Ethan woke up, but it was only a matter of time before he stirred. The fact he hadn't yet indicated to me just how ‘active' we'd been last night, since not only was Ethan a trained soldier, but now he was becoming more and more of a werewolf. That last part scared me.

I leaned my forehead against the white tiled wall. Regret squeezed my heart like a vise. It would be so easy to blame Jessa, my friend and mentor, for pushing me into the werewolf debacle, and even easier to torment myself for having used wolf's bane. If I'd gone with the common method of crafting the salve instead of making my own potent blend, then this would not have happened.

Those thoughts led to madness. I balled my hands into fists. Neither Jessa nor I could've known what was going on.

The supernatural world was one of magic and potions. Witches were real since I was one. Werewolves, on the other hand, were beasts of legend, not fact. That shocking revelation brought fear and pain crashing through my door and harmed those I cared about.

Both Ethan's and Jessa's lives were changed forever, because I couldn't protect either of them from the werewolf's attacks. The ramifications of my failure were incomprehensible, especially for Ethan.

Releasing a sigh, I focused on the bar of soap and reached within myself for my magic. Jessa made telekinesis appear so effortless. If I'd learned one thing recently, it was that I kept myself locked away, hoping others wouldn't burn me at the stake. Being powerless wouldn't help those I cared about, or me, when the time came to protect them.

Fear and atrophy shriveled my magical muscles. While I still wasn't convinced about using my power, especially not as openly as Jessa did, I refused to wait for the next disaster to hit before I acted. Something deep inside me knew we weren't out of the woods yet.

No matter how hard I concentrated, the soap remained rooted in place. Ugh.

How could I measure up as a witch if I couldn't even accomplish the basics? If my grandmother were here, life would be much easier. Instead, she rested in her grave.

The bathroom door creaked open and my heart leapt into my throat. Panic pushed me to remain small and silent, even though the spraying warm water gave away my presence. If Nolan was home before work, I would be screwed.

My brain scrambled for excuses about why I was here, much less why I was taking a shower.

The mugging wouldn't work anymore. Things had mostly gone back to normal. I spent more time at home whipping up potions for Jessa's new age shop, Eternally Magick.

With Jessa in the hospital, she couldn't run the shop, and I needed to help. What family she had was several states away, and they couldn't or wouldn't take time from their lives to assist her.

Besides, Ethan and I didn't need to be as careful about Nolan coming around to my place. He rarely swung by these days, and when he did, he usually called first.

“Mia? Everything okay in there?” Ethan nudged back the shower curtain, tension tight in his naked shoulders.

Air whooshed from my lungs in a rush and my shoulders slumped forward in relief. “You scared me.”

“Sorry, sweetheart. I felt a lot of energy buzzing in here. Just wanted to make sure you're okay.” He let go of the curtain, and it fell back into place. The slightest twinge of sadness nibbled at me, but this was for the best. If he got in the shower with me, I might never leave.

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Published on June 17, 2014 11:12

June 15, 2014

THE WOLF WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE Excerpt #2

Hi everyone! If you've missed it, I've been posting snippets of my upcoming release (June 22nd), The Wolf Who Played With Fire, on Facebook each day. I'm putting them here in case anyone wants to catch up on anything they missed. I'd love to know what you guys think! :-)

Excerpt Two (Still in Mia's POV)
“It’s okay. I was just—” Wait. Would telling him the truth about my attempt at telekinesis be a good idea? He might laugh. “I got caught up in my thoughts. I have to be at Eternally Magick in an hour, and I’ll probably stop by the hospital later to talk to Jessa. I won’t be home until late.”

Ethan had attended a couple Pack meetings in the past few weeks, but I’d never asked for more details. If he wanted to share what he’d learned, he would tell me. However, I couldn’t wait around forever, I needed to know... “Do you know anything about the werewolf who attacked us and nearly killed Jessa?”

A long pause swept through the bathroom, and for a moment, I didn’t think he’d answer.

“His name is Jared Grant.” Ethan’s voice was close as if he stood inches from the white and blue shower curtain, hovering just out of sight. “He was the Pack’s second in command. The role changed to the Alpha’s son, Chad, who has been sticking true to his word. He’s helping the Pack come onboard with the idea of me joining them.” He let out a sharp hissing sigh. “A few of the members weren’t sure I should live, since it’s against the Alpha’s wishes for new wolves to be made. Chad convinced his father I would make a good addition.”

Strength drained from my body. I had no idea they would’ve killed him. “God, Ethan.” I braced myself against the tiled wall, uncertain if my legs would hold under the weight of that revelation. “You should’ve talked to me. H-how could I have helped to stop them if they’d tried to... kill you?” Nausea bubbled within my stomach and I wrapped an arm under my breasts, cradling my belly. An urge to puke lingered at the back of my throat.

The shower curtain jerked open, and Ethan leveled his gaze at me.

My heart skipped a beat and my foot slid on the wet tub. I tumbled forward, the fall happening in eerily slow motion.

Ethan caught me and pulled me against his solid chest. “Careful.” He kept a steady grip on me as I regained my shaky balance. “There are dozens of werewolves in the Pack. How do you expect to cause much damage?”

His words stung. Even though I wanted to be defensive and lash out, he was right.

While I tried to convince myself I was some badass witch capable of raining down chaos on the werewolves, that wasn’t me. They would squish me like a bug under their feet, especially since wolves worked together.

I pushed past Ethan and grabbed a towel. Standing naked before him had lost its appeal. Maybe if I hadn’t tried telekinesis and gotten so emotional, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

“Come on, babe. Don’t pull away.” He grabbed my hips, turning me around to face him. “I don’t want you to get hurt, okay? Not after the close call in the parking garage. Plus, your friend is in the hospital because of a werewolf. I don’t trust the Pack, and they don’t trust you after you nearly killed their Alpha.”

A shiver chased across my spine that was only partly due to the air’s coolness. “I don’t want you hurt either,” I said, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “I’m willing to risk my safety for yours.”

The gentle touch of his warm hands shifted, and his fingers bit into my skin. “Mia, I can take care of myself. It’s you I’m worried about.”

Through the heat of his words, a sting of power and desire set me alight. The sensation dimly reminded me of what I’d felt when Mr. Sexy...er…Jared...had touched me in Jessa’s shop.

Planting my palms on Ethan’s chest, I refused to let those memories take hold of me, except the feel of my palms on his hard chest melted my insides and made me pliant and willing. My body wanted Ethan more than it wanted its next breath.

Ethan stared into my eyes transfixed. He bent for a kiss, and any desire I had to keep my distance evaporated as our lips met. Lust crashed through me, and my only need was to be intimate with him. Within seconds, he propped me on the bathroom counter. His hands slid down to my knees before he made his way back toward my naked thighs.

Passion warmed me, taking away any chill I’d felt, and I parted my legs, anxious to be one with him. “Ethan, I want you inside me.”

Whatever negativity from the argument vanished like waking from a bad dream. The only importance now was getting his boxers down and rolling a condom on him. Did he have any in here? Because I didn’t know if I could wait until we reached his room.

He parted my towel and tugged me closer. My backside dangled rather precariously over the counter’s edge, but he wouldn’t let me fall. Despite, or maybe because of, all we’d been through, I trusted him. He looked out for both our relationship and for me.

Wetness formed between my legs at the fierce hunger in the way he claimed my mouth. His tongue speared me, brushing along mine with a need to possess. He slid his hand between my legs, teasingly trailing it over my lips.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and he gripped my hips, lifting me into his arms. Apparently, we were headed to the bedroom. The press of his hot erection between my thighs as he adjusted my position sent heat through me like a wildfire.

For a moment, I didn’t care we had responsibilities outside of these four walls. If he asked me to spend the day with him in bed, I would do it.

Ethan strode toward the door with the towel forgotten on the bathroom counter. As we approached the exit, he sucked in a breath and froze.

Loud banging on the bathroom door nearly made me scream, but I slapped a hand over my mouth. If it wasn’t for Ethan’s warning, I might have blown it.

He set me to my feet then blocked the door with his muscular frame. The muscles in his back twitched with barely contained aggression.

“I have to use the restroom, man.” Nolan knocked again, a little more impatient this time. “Showers can be a luxury when deployed, but come on. I have to leave for work soon.” Humor was evident in his voice, but their relationship wasn’t as strong as it had been. Was I the cause of their problems?

“Sure, just a moment,” Ethan said. He ducked his head under the shower’s spray that both of us had ignored in our burning lust then shut off the water. He wrapped my towel around me, motioning toward the shower.

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Published on June 15, 2014 00:46

June 9, 2014

Cover Reveal for THE WOLF WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE

Title: The Wolf Who Played with Fire (Cry Wolf #2)
Author: Sarah Mäkelä
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance 18+
Publication Date: June 20, 2014
Publisher: Kissa Press, LLC
Cover Designer: Kim Killion
Event Organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Synopsis
Some magic can’t be unspun…
Meddling in magic…
If Mia Brooks could turn back time, it would be to when she used her fledgling magic to craft a potion for an injured werewolf. It nearly killed the Pack Alpha, and now the lives of her witch mentor, Jessa, and her soldier boyfriend, Ethan Parker, have been changed forever. Jessa is in hospital after a vicious werewolf attack. And, Ethan, having being bitten, is becoming a werewolf himself.

A wolf at the door…
Mia can’t turn back time, but she can try to make things right with the two people she cares about most. She’s keeping Jessa’s shop, Eternally Magick, open, and she’s there for Ethan as his inner wolf grows. But, by the next full moon, his transformation will be complete. Can she really be the mate of a half-man-half-wolf, living within the law of the Pack?

Under his spell…
Struggling to contain his new lupine senses, Ethan goes missing on active duty. When Mia realizes her werewolf lover has been abducted, she knows must harness every magic power she possesses to get him safely back…

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About the Author
Sarah Mäkelä loves her fiction dark, magical, and passionate. She is a paranormal romance author, but she's written all over the romance spectrum with cyberpunk, sci-fi, fantasy, urban fantasy... even a sweet contemporary romance!

A life-long paranormal fan, she still sleeps with a night light. In her spare time, she reads sexy books, watches scary movies and Ghost Adventures, and plays computer games with her husband. When she gets the chance, she loves traveling the world too.

Connect with the Author: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Blog

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Published on June 09, 2014 17:00

June 7, 2014

THE WOLF WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE Excerpt #1

Hi everyone! If you've missed it, I've been posting snippets of my upcoming release (June 22nd), The Wolf Who Played With Fire, on Facebook each day. I'm putting it here in case anyone wanted to catch up on anything they missed. I'd love to know what you guys think! :-)

Chapter One
Mia
Water slid over my body, and I lifted my face to the warm spray. Delicious soreness ached in my muscles as I reached for the shampoo. Crashing at Ethan’s house was dangerous, but the romantic rendezvous we’d shared had taken me to new heights of pleasure.

However, not all good things last forever.

My brother, Nolan, lived with Ethan, keeping an eye on the place while Ethan was deployed with the Army. Neither of us knew exactly when Nolan would arrive home from spending the weekend with his girlfriend, but he had work in a few hours. The chances of him swinging by were high. That meant I needed to leave as soon as possible.

Part of me hoped I could slink away before Ethan woke up, but it was only a matter of time before he stirred. The fact he hadn’t yet indicated to me just how ‘active’ we’d been last night, since not only was Ethan a trained soldier, but now he was becoming more and more of a werewolf. That last part scared me.

I leaned my forehead against the white tiled wall. Regret squeezed my heart like a vise. It would be so easy to blame Jessa, my friend and mentor, for pushing me into the werewolf debacle, and even easier to torment myself for having used wolf’s bane. If I’d gone with the common method of crafting the salve instead of making my own potent blend, then this would not have happened.

Those thoughts led to madness. I balled my hands into fists. Neither Jessa nor I could’ve known what was going on.

The supernatural world was one of magic and potions. Witches were real since I was one. Werewolves, on the other hand, were beasts of legend, not fact. That shocking revelation brought fear and pain crashing through my door and harmed those I cared about.

Both Ethan’s and Jessa’s lives were changed forever, because I couldn’t protect either of them from the werewolf’s attacks. The ramifications of my failure were incomprehensible, especially for Ethan.

Releasing a sigh, I focused on the bar of soap and reached within myself for my magic. Jessa made telekinesis appear so effortless. If I’d learned one thing recently, it was that I kept myself locked away, hoping others wouldn’t burn me at the stake. Being powerless wouldn’t help those I cared about, or me, when the time came to protect them.

Fear and atrophy shriveled my magical muscles. While I still wasn’t convinced about using my power, especially not as openly as Jessa did, I refused to wait for the next disaster to hit before I acted. Something deep inside me knew we weren’t out of the woods yet.

No matter how hard I concentrated, the soap remained rooted in place. Ugh.

How could I measure up as a witch if I couldn’t even accomplish the basics? If my grandmother were here, life would be much easier. Instead, she rested in her grave.

The bathroom door creaked open and my heart leapt into my throat. Panic pushed me to remain small and silent, even though the spraying warm water gave away my presence. If Nolan was home before work, I would be screwed.

My brain scrambled for excuses about why I was here, much less why I was taking a shower.

The mugging wouldn’t work anymore. Things had mostly gone back to normal. I spent more time at home whipping up potions for Jessa’s new age shop, Eternally Magick.

With Jessa in the hospital, she couldn’t run the shop, and I needed to help. What family she had was several states away, and they couldn’t or wouldn’t take time from their lives to assist her.

Besides, Ethan and I didn’t need to be as careful about Nolan coming around to my place. He rarely swung by these days, and when he did, he usually called first.

“Mia? Everything okay in there?” Ethan nudged back the shower curtain, tension tight in his naked shoulders.

Air whooshed from my lungs in a rush and my shoulders slumped forward in relief. “You scared me.”

“Sorry, sweetheart. I felt a lot of energy buzzing in here. Just wanted to make sure you’re okay.” He let go of the curtain, and it fell back into place. The slightest twinge of sadness nibbled at me, but this was for the best. If he got in the shower with me, I might never leave.

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Published on June 07, 2014 21:36

June 5, 2014

Covergasm Blog Giveaway Hop! (June 6-13th)

Thanks for stopping by for the Covergasm Giveaway Hop! I've definitely been blessed with some awesome covers. While I know that we're not supposed to 'judge a book by it's cover,' covers are often what draw me to a book in the first place. Here are a couple of my covers, and come back on June 9th to see my very latest cover from the Cry Wolf series, which I think is absolutely gorgeous!

Here are the first two books from the Cry Wolf series, The Witch Who Cried Wolf and Cold Moon Rising. The third installment, The Wolf Who Played With Fire , releases June 22nd.
There's so much that I love about The Witch Who Cried Wolf and Cold Moon Rising. These covers that it's hard to pin everything down. The couples on them are perfect and match who I view them in my head, the wolves tie in the fact they are shapeshifter books, and the colors and style make them complementary to one another so you can tell they're a part of a series. Sometimes you don't really get that from covers in a series.
If I were to choose covers that have nothing to do with my writing, I'd say I really like the Monsters in the Dark covers from Pepper Winters, which include Tears of Tess, Quintessentially Q, and Twisted Together. I've only read the first book so far, but I'm looking forward to reading the second and final ones as soon as I get a chance!
Your turn! Which book covers give you a covergasm? Make sure to enter my contest below for your chance to win an ebook from my backlist!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Published on June 05, 2014 21:00

May 18, 2014

Spice Box: 16 Steamy Stories Pre-order Now!

What's your spice?

Whether it's contemporary romance or romantic suspense, alpha vampires, shifter stories, or BDSM romance--Spice Box offers sixteen erotic romance books with something for everyone. For a limited time this is your chance to enjoy books from today's New York Times, USA Today, Amazon bestselling authors and many more. The e-books cost over $50 when purchased separately. Professionally formatted and no cliffhangers.

Buy Now
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Smashwords
iTunes
Add to Goodreads

Raine Miller, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author.
Cherry Girl
She will forever be his Cherry Girl...

Cathryn Fox, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author.
Torn Between Two Brothers
She's breaking all the rules...

K.M. Scott writing as Gabrielle Bisset, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author.
Blood Avenged
I am everything you desire. I am vampire.

Janelle Denison writing as Erika Wilde, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author.
The Invitation
An invitation that will take them beyond their wildest, most erotic fantasies.

Nina Lane, USA Today Bestselling Author.
Arouse
"Come here, beauty," he says. "You need to be kissed."

with...

A.C. James
Eternal Ever After
A Gothic Cinderella re-telling with vampires and bondage...oh, my!

Kathy Kulig
Red Tape
Sparks fly between two ex-CIA agents when a White House sex scandal spins out of control and turns deadly.

Christina Thacher
The Bequest: A BDSM Romance
CFO by day, sexual submissive at night. When her Master dies suddenly, Sara discovers his will leaves her to his nephew...

Stephanie Julian
His to Keep
He has her right where he wants her...

Geri Foster
Wrong Room
Short, Cute, Sexy!

Lisa Alder
The Demon's Deception
Certainly a Demon strong enough to survive being chained for a millennium beneath the Earth's crust can resist one virginal princess when she demands his help.

Jan Springer
Sex With The Ex
Sky undertakes a dangerous mission to the dark sensual world of sex slave training...

Sarah Mäkelä
The Witch Who Cried Wolf
When her magic gets mixed up, supernatural forces are unleashed and suddenly she's being pursued by werewolves that she didn't even realize existed...

Maureen O. Betita
The Kraken's Mirror
Where anything can happen. And usually does.

Riley J. Ford
Fifty Shades of Fifty Shades of Grey
Unable to withstand the pent-up ache radiating from his tender blue testicles, Ben decides to take Grey's methods to a whole new level in order to relieve the pressure on his . . . er, marriage.

Travis Luedke
Blood Slave
From the ghettos of Spanish Harlem to a Manhattan penthouse, follow Hope's shocking tale of life as a bloodslave to master vampire Enrique.

Save over $50. This set will only be available for one month, so order your copy before it's gone!

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Published on May 18, 2014 21:35

Inked Fury is Now Available!

Inked Fury
Sarah Mäkelä

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Etopia Press
Date of Publication: May 16, 2014

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Inked-Fury-Feral-Sarah-Makela-ebook/dp/B00KD3KUNG/
B&N - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1119529995?ean=2940149353460
Kobo - http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/inked-fury
All Romance eBooks - https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-inkedfury-1515270-140.html

Book Description:

If Connor can’t claim his mate soon, she could be taken from him forever…

Time is running out for Connor O’Reilly to claim Angelique as his mate before the Pack. His crazy ex-girlfriend is petitioning a comeback, and if Connor isn’t careful, his Alpha may ship him off to Alaska to mate with said crazy ex-girlfriend. After the recent attack on Angelique, he’s afraid to push her too hard for a commitment, but if she doesn’t make one soon, he’ll lose the one person that means everything to him.

Angelique Trinette is still reeling from the recent attack that left her a claw’s breadth from being skinned alive. The good news is that she’s fine. The bad news is that her attacker, a powerful druid named Mahon, is still at large. And Mahon isn’t the type to let things go.

So when a mysterious woman offers to help Angelique learn more about her abilities and her people’s history, Angelique struggles to remain truthful to Connor and still take the woman’s advice. If she can strengthen the power she receives from her black panther familiar, she’ll be able to defend herself against Mahon. But all strength comes with a price. And not all prices are worth paying.

Excerpt:

Angelique Trinette stretched her arm over to Connor’s side of the bed, but he was gone. She sat, rubbing her hands over her arms, chilled by the blowing air conditioner. From the clear indention on his pillow, he couldn’t have been up for long.

A low rumble drifted up from the side of the bed. Kira stared at her with shiny golden eyes. Behind her black panther familiar, the bathroom door stood wide open with bits of snowy white toilet paper littering the floor.

“Kira! What did I tell you? You can’t do this again. No trashing my place.” Angelique dropped back on the bed, instantly regretting that move as pain burned in her side. Frustration rose to the surface like an internal thermometer stretching toward its breaking point. But the tap of dress shoes drew her attention to the bedroom’s doorway.

Connor O’Reilly, her sexy werewolf boyfriend, adjusted the cuffs on his pristine white dress shirt. With a cocked eyebrow, he smiled. “What’s wrong?” He slid his gaze to the open bathroom door, and the smile faded around the edges. “If I had more time, I’d help you clean up, but I have to be at work early and—”

“I know. It takes a while to get to the office from here.” Angelique had moved further away after breaking up with him almost a year ago. For his protection…and hers. She was different from the average girl, but then again, he wasn’t a human guy either. They each had powers one shouldn’t mention in public.

Connor crossed the room to stand beside the bed. He brushed her hair out of her face then placed a kiss against her lips. The barest of caresses. What a way to start the morning. He slid his tongue over her bottom lip, and she opened her mouth to him, needing more.

She ran her palm over his crotch. His cock hardened beneath his suit pants. She unbuckled his belt, then went for the zipper, but he held her wrist just hard enough to keep her from what she wanted. If only she’d woken up earlier.

He pulled back, lightly panting from the intimate exchange. “I want to. I really do, but this client—”

With a fingertip over his lips, she silenced him. “Don’t worry. We can continue this later when you come over this evening.” She shoved her legs off the bed, then pushed past him. Disappointment settled in her chest, but his work was important. Truth be told, she’d brought this on herself by moving so far away.

She walked to the bathroom, but he stopped her in the doorway with his large hands on her hips, pulling her into his arms.

“I’ll be here. You can count on that.” He hooked his index finger under her chin. He tilted her head up, forcing her to look at him. “Take it easy today. We can clean up the mess in the bathroom later. It’s not important.” He trailed his knuckles over her cheek. “Get some rest.”

Pain pinched her nerves as he brushed over a sore spot. Bruises from the incident with Mahon last week still marred her complexion. If only Connor had killed the druid when he had the chance, then she wouldn’t be living under the threat of him still out there.

“I’ll try.”

She wrapped her arms around his muscular torso and rested her head against his chest, enjoying the musky scent of his cologne. Having him here relieved the fear of another imminent attack.

Tomorrow was her first day back at the office. Coming up with an explanation suitable for her coworkers had been challenging, but she’d managed with his help. The werewolf doctor had written an excuse note allowing her to rest up without worrying about her workplace for a few days.

Her heart raced at the thought of people staring at the marks on her skin. Things might get awkward at work, but she’d deal with it. While it was a first, she couldn’t let it affect her ability to support herself and Kira.

“Please do more than try.” He ran his hand over her back in soothing circles.

“I promise.” She looked into his green eyes and brushed her fingers over the silky button-down dress shirt covering his hard, muscular chest. While she cared more about a person’s personality than their physique, she couldn’t deny that his solid build calmed her. He’d proven his muscles weren’t all for show.

If he hadn’t arrived when he did that night, she would’ve died and Kira would’ve become Mahon’s slave. Pain tightened her chest at the memory, but she needed to move on. It was over. But they both knew the druid might try again, but with Connor protecting her, she had hope.

The beep of his cell phone broke the intimate moment. He pulled away a little to check his phone with a sigh. “I have to go.” He stole a kiss from her lips, but this time he didn’t linger. “I’ll see you later, Angel. Call me if you need anything. You’re more important so I could reschedule the meeting if I had to, okay?” At her nod, he glanced behind her, and a smirk curved his lips. “Don’t give her too much grief, Kira.”

Her familiar let out a low rumbling growl. While Connor and Kira were slowly getting used to each other, she wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving them alone in the same room for any length of time. She leveled her gaze at Kira, who instantly calmed down. The black panther knew she wasn’t in the best of moods after the shenanigans in the bathroom.

“I love you, Angel.” He retreated from the bedroom, the soles of his dress shoes clacking across the hardwood floor.

“I love you too,” she called out.

The front door opened then closed behind him, and his keys rattled in the lock before it clicked securely.

She glanced back at the bed. The cozy warmth called to her. Should she take advantage of the moment while it lasted? Besides, she wasn’t typically awake this early even when she had work so catching a few more winks of sleep might be nice.

The slam of a car door drew her to the window, and she peeked through the blinds.

He had straightened his tie before he started the ignition, his sports car roaring to life. With their relationship being new again, she would’ve liked time to ease back into a comfortable life together, not the crazy mess they went through last week.

After finding out about him being a werewolf, she hadn’t expected life to be easy. In fact, she didn’t feel so alone and different now. He possessed supernatural abilities too. Although, she wore her beast on her skin, his lurked beneath the surface.

Her paranoia levels were heightened since the attacks, but she couldn’t let what happened throw her life so far off balance when she’d finally begun to find happiness. Normalcy was out of the picture.

Thankfully, she didn’t have to worry about one person. Monica. Connor’s Alpha had banished his ex-girlfriend to Alaska for assisting Mahon in trying to kill Angelique.

Shaking those thoughts away, she walked back toward the bed, deciding to get more sleep as Connor had suggested. She didn’t have to be awake right now. Not having him beside her must’ve woken her. The fact he had that much power when they were so newly back into their relationship scared her. What if something happened to him? Would she ever be the same again?

She didn’t want to rely on him being there forever because life seemed fleeting now. Before danger had kept her from doing anything irrational, but now a threat hid in the shadows, ready to pounce when she least expected it.

No, she wouldn’t have that kind of attitude. She’d never believed it before, and she wouldn’t now. She’d given him hell with having to find her. If things got out of control, she could broach the subject of moving. Maybe he would go with her. Their relationship wouldn’t have to suffer this time because of her fear and the desire she had to protect them from harm.

She slipped under the covers. Any warmth from their bodies had drained away. She sighed. Her side still ached, and stitches trailed up her torso from where the druid started to skin her. Memories of the event flashed in her mind, and she squeezed her eyes shut against them.

A warm furry muzzle nudged her hand, and she looked to find Kira watching her. The big cat cocked her head to the side.

“Fine,” Angelique said, holding out her hand, “come back to me.”

Kira leapt onto the bed as gracefully as expected for a feline. The bed sagged beneath her weight, and magic exuding from Kira sent tingles over Angelique’s skin. Kira placed a paw on her bare torso, and Angelique focused on her breathing. Pain burned where the big cat melted into her skin going from real life panther to dynamic tattoo.

One paw, two paws, three… Finally, the bond they shared was reconnected allowing her to feel Kira’s emotions, which had the hazy side effect of Angelique having an edge of her personality at times. That didn’t matter. She enjoyed Kira’s company, but being in a relationship with Connor and having intimate needs required her to shed her familiar more these days since neither of them felt comfortable with Kira purring while they had sex.

Kira brushed against Angelique’s back, leaving behind the silky feeling of fur caressing her skin as her familiar settled down for a nap in her favorite spot on Angelique’s lower back.

“Good idea. He might have to work, but we have one more day until we go back to the daily grind. We might as well enjoy it while we can.” She stretched her legs and stared at the ceiling.

Life had been easier before Connor came along. However, she preferred being with the one she loved over suffering alone.

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Published on May 18, 2014 05:00

March 20, 2014

Seriously Shifter Giveaway Hop

Thanks for stopping by for the Seriously Shifter Giveaway Hop! I absolutely love werewolves, so this hop was totally up my alleyway. When it comes to picking a certain book as my favorite, I have a hard time since I've read so many. I do have to say that I really enjoy the Kelley Armstrong 'Women of the Otherworld' books and the new SyFy show based on the books, Bitten, is great so far. Have you guys checked out either of them yet?
With my own writing, I have to say that I'm loving the 'Cry Wolf' series, which has The Witch Who Cried Wolf and Cold Moon Rising with the next book coming out in May.
The Witch Who Cried Wolf Excerpt
Jessa’s New Age shop—Eternally Magick—was empty. Usually, Jessa was around. But, right now, she wasn’t. I leaned against the front counter, resting my forehead against the cool glass. Athames, crystals, jewelry and really cute dragon statues were locked in the case beneath my fingertips. While I enjoyed hanging out at the shop and seeing what new potions were available, I wished Jessa had given me some kind of clue as to why she wanted me here. But she was my best friend and mentor; the reason had to be important, if for nothing else to spend much needed time together.

I glanced over my shoulder at the wall of ingredients lining the shelves, ripe for the picking. It had been a while since I’d made a new potion. Maybe if I could stock up on a few things...

“Not what you’re here for,” I whispered to myself. The urge to see what she had nearly drove me away from the counter, but I held myself in check.

Making potions was one of my hobbies. I loved the creativity and excitement that went into building something from nothing, and the brief connection with my power.

Tapping my fingers on the counter, I stared at the curtained-off backroom. Worry crept into my chest. Why wasn’t Jessa here? She never stood me up. This wasn’t like her.

“Jessa?” Usually she came right out when the bells on the door chimed. Biting my lower lip, I considered going into the back. Someone could steal things without her keeping an eye on the store.

“Coming,” Jessa called. The black-haired and blue-eyed beauty swept into the front of the store like a hurricane of flowing skirts. She always looked like she’d just come from a Renaissance faire.

I loved the way she dressed, but I knew that style would never be my thing. My parents would think I’d flipped my lid, and my older brother.... Shudder. Nolan would laugh at me, probably joking with his best friend—and my crush since forever—Ethan Parker.

“Where have you been? I was getting concerned.” Stepping around the counter, I wrapped my arms around her and she embraced me in a hug smelling of lavender and honey.

“Just in the back. I had to wrap up a call and I guess I didn’t hear you come in.” Jessa smiled, but something was up. She appeared a bit too eager to pretend everything was fine.

“What’s going on? Are you okay?” I placed my hand on her shoulder, trying to be comforting.

The door chimed, and we turned in unison toward the shop’s new arrival.

I blinked in surprise.

The man towered in the doorway, over six feet of pure muscle. If his shirt were a little tighter, I probably would’ve been able to see six-pack abs through it. What was he doing here?

He strode in as if he owned the place. There could be no doubt: ladies would drop their panties at his command. If I didn’t have a boyfriend.... Stop it, Mia!

“I’m looking for the owner,” the man said, his deep voice as smooth and sinful as his looks. Yet beneath his delicious exterior, something about him put me on edge. The hint of arrogance in his eyes and the sharp flare of power as he walked in the room were instant triggers. This guy wasn’t a mere mortal. He was something else, but I couldn’t put my finger on what. Aside from Jessa, I’d never met anyone else with this level of power.

Maybe I needed to get out more.

Jessa cleared her throat, as captivated by him as I was by the sound of it. “I’m the owner.” Her voice hit all the sultry tones and she swayed her shoulders. “Can I help you?” I wished I could pull her aside and tell her my feelings, but that would look way too awkward.

“We spoke over the phone. I’m interested in the potion.” He leaned his hip against the counter, standing only a couple feet away. Too close for comfort.

Since Jessa had business to take care of, I sidestepped toward the wall of ingredients, but Jessa grabbed my wrist, keeping me beside her. I cast her a dirty look, but she didn’t pay me any attention, focusing her gaze instead on Mr. Way-Too-Sexy.

“Right, I don’t have any of that in right now, but this woman makes some of the best healing salves I’ve seen.” Jessa nudged me forward, nearly throwing me into Mr. Sexy’s arms.

Glancing up his body to his eyes from so close strained my neck. My five-foot-six frame probably looked tiny beside him. An overwhelming sense of lust and intimidation washed over me.

“Hi.” I fought against a shiver.

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Published on March 20, 2014 21:00