Stephani Hecht's Blog, page 9

Lost Shifter Trailer

Three Degrees Of Heat

From steamy to sweet—an anthology that tells sequential stories of three fox shifter brothers who work together to heal the Leash that has been under the hands of a ruthless Alpha.

When Leash Alpha Joe Fields turns feral everyone in the clan suffers, but none more so than his son Landon and LeashOmega Scotty Stephens. After months of abuse in private, Landon escapes and Joe finally snaps, making Scotty an example in public. When Joe crosses the line from cruel to psychotic, Leash Beta Alexander Axe Ashe knows he has to do something. In a desperate attempt to keep Axe from unforgivable violence, his brother Ben steps in and challenges Joe, ultimately becoming the Leash’s reluctant new Alpha. It will take the love of unexpected Omega foster to heal the new Alpha and the Leash, and the love of Axe and the youngest Ashe brother Chase to heal Joe’s two most broken victims.

 

Excerpt:

Benjamin stopped and tucked his fingers under Foster’s chin, trying to ignore how good it felt to be touching the other fox. “You have sanctuary here. So, long as I breathe, nobody will harm you. You have my word as an Alpha on that.”

“Really?” For the first time, there was a glimmer of hope in those green eyes.

“I swear it.”

Before he was even aware that he was doing it, Benjamin leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to Foster’s forehead. “I swear it to you. Now, go shower. I’ll fix you something to eat. You must be starved.”

“Why are you being so kind to me?”

Because I have a feeling that you belong to me. I don’t know how, but I’m drawn to you like no other.

“Because it’s the right thing to do,” Benjamin replied simply.

He then left the room before he said or did something that would send him scampering for the hills. After all Foster had been through, the last thing he needed was the Alpha he turned to for protection making the moves on him. And if Benjamin spent any more time with Foster within five feet of an available bed, that was exactly what would happen.

Since Benjamin wasn’t exactly the Paula Dean in the family, he opened up a couple of cans of soup, poured them in a pot, and began to warm them up. They were just reaching the right temperature when Foster came downstairs.

Even though Chase wasn’t exactly a giant, his clothes still hung on Foster, making the fox look even smaller than he really was. Foster’s hair was slicked back, but Chase could still detect hints of red in the harsh lights of the kitchen. The cut in his cheek had been cleaned. Had he been human, he would have needed stiches, but as a shifter, it would heal okay on its own without leaving a scar.

“It smells good,” Foster said.

“Yes, it does,” Benjamin agreed.

Only he wasn’t talking about the soup. He was speaking of Foster. The fox smelled of pine needles and earth, like the deep forest right after a refreshing rain. It made Benjamin want to go over and rub his body against the other man until he was drenched in the scent. Just as he wanted to cover Foster in his scent, that way any fox who came near would know that Foster was his and to back the fuck away.

Clearing his throat, Benjamin motioned to a chair. “Sit down, and I’ll bring you over some food.”

“Isn’t it the Gamma’s duty to serve the Alpha?” Foster asked.

Benjamin sighed, as he’d put it off long enough. It was time to finally tell Foster the truth. Setting the bowl in front of Foster, Benjamin sat across from him. “There is something you need to know, and you may not like it.”

“What? Does Alpha Glass know where I am?” A look of panic came over Foster’s face.

“No, it’s nothing like that. It has to do with you being a Gamma.”

“I know I’m not that good, but I’m sure you can find some use for me.”

“Foster, you’re not a Gamma.”

“Of course I am.”

“You’re an Omega.”

There was a long silence while Foster just blinked at him a few times. Finally, Foster grinned and gave him a dismissive wave of his hand. “No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are. Alphas know these things. As soon as I saw you, I sensed it.”

“Then why didn’t Alpha Glass know?”

“Because he’s an idiot.”

“Well, you’ll get no argument there. But you’re still wrong about me being an Omega. I would have known by now.”

“You’re wrong, Foster. You’re an Omega. And that’s not all. You’re my Omega.”

 

 

 

Circling The Drain

Available now at eXtasy Books!

Sometimes it just takes one fresh spark to rekindle old desires

After being a paramedic for over ten years, Grif is burned out. He has seen all the worst society has to offer and then some. He’s tired and ready to hang up his uniform for good. The thrill of the job has long left him, and his life is going nowhere fast.

Then along comes his new partner, a green-behind-the-ears kid name Kevin. Not only does Kevin have zero in the way of experience, but he’s a brat to boot. A brat who actually is excited about his job. So why is it that Grif finds the kid so damn attractive?

Will Kevin be able to bring back the spark of excitement in Grif’s life? Or is Grif too far gone to be saved?

Blurb:

Grif let out a sigh. “And with that, I’m going to the bathroom.”

Kevin scooted out so Grif could get up then counted to thirty before he said, “You know, I think I need to go, too.”

He then went back to the bathroom, taking his time so Grif could take care of his business before Kevin got there. Kevin’s timing was perfect because when he walked in, Grif was washing his hands. They were the only ones in there. Peeeerrrrrrrrrrrrfect.

Grif let out a sigh. “What do you want?”

“Maybe I just need to go to the bathroom.”

“I can tell by the look on your face that it’s not that.”

“Okay, so maybe I just wanted to talk.”

“You could have easily done that back at the table.”

Kevin took several steps closer until he was standing directly in front of Grif. “Why do you keep trying to push me away?”

“I told you, you’re too young for me.”

Kevin stood on tiptoe and brushed their lips together. “Hmmm…that felt just right to me.”

Letting out a muttered curse, Grif grabbed Kevin by the wrist and dragged him from the bathroom. Kevin expected him to take him back to the table, so when he pulled him outside, he was a bit perplexed.

That still didn’t stop him from cracking, “Lookie, we’re holding hands.”

“Do me a favor and shut up for once,” Grif growled.

So Kevin clamped his trap shut and just followed along. Grif led him to an SUV and all but threw him into the backseat. Kevin liked how things were going until Grif followed him in, slammed the door then got right into his face.

Pointing a finger right at Kevin’s chest, Grif said, “I don’t know how many times I have to spell this out to you, but nothing is going to happen between me and you. So you can just give it up now.”

Since Kevin didn’t know how to reply to that, he threw all caution to the wind, clamped both hands on either side of Grif’s face, and gave him a hard kiss. At first, Grif tensed. Then he let out a curse and took control.

“Damn us both to hell,” Grif said as he lowered Kevin back on the seat.

He slanted his lips over Kevin’s and deepened the kiss, his tongue plundering Kevin’s mouth. Kevin let out a whimper of delight as desire shot through his body, going straight to his ****.

Kevin shifted his hands so they were on Grif’s shoulders, his fingers digging into Grif’s dark t-shirt. Grif settled so the weight of his hard body pressed against Kevin, trapping Kevin, and damned if Kevin didn’t love it.

Grif grabbed Kevin by the hair so he tilted his head in the direction Grif preferred, and Kevin obeyed the silent command, more than happy to let him take the lead. Grif could have asked him to do summersaults and he would have, just so long as he kept kissing him.

Kevin’s aching **** demanded some attention, so he began to grind it against Grif. At first just a little bit, but more as the kissing became more frenzied. Then just as things were starting to get good and Kevin was about to cream his pants, Grif abruptly pulled away.

“We can’t do this. Not here. Not now. Not ever,” he said.

Guess What!

First off, I want to apologize for being lax in taking so long in replying to your comments. I do read each and every one. I have just been so busy writing,  that I have fallen behind in other tasks. But, I do treasure you feedback, so please keep it coming. Some days it’s what keeps me going. *hugs* As a special treat. I thought I would post the blurb to Doc Featherstone’s Return! So here it is. Enjoy!

Ever since Hawk Shifter Ash suffered near fatal wounds in a Raven attack, he has slumped into a deep depression. Now unable to walk, let alone shift, he has lost his spark for life and his friends and loved ones fear they will lose him forever. Desperate, they think that the only one who can give him the will to live if

Doc Featherstone, the one man that Ash has ever shown any interest in. The problem is Doc Featherstone has returned to his family to recover from his own wounds from the attack.

Bobcat shifter, Joshua Featherstone has harbored a secrete attraction for the spunky Hawk shifter for a long time. But, he has kept his distance, afraid that their age difference would be too big to overcome. But, once he hears that Ash is in dire need of his help, Joshua runs back to the coalition. Will he make it in time? Or has Ash turned to the darkness forever?

 

Pretty Little Words In A Bottle

Available  now at eXtasy Books

Sometimes crazy in love is more than just a phrase

Richard had it all—money, popularity, and a promising career as an artist. That all ended one night when he made one terrible mistake that culminated with him locked up in Kirkwood Hospital for the Mentally Ill. Now diagnosed as Bi-Polar, he finds himself struggling in a new world, one where all the rules have changed, and he must find himself again.

Being in a mental hospital is nothing new to Zander. Since he was sixteen and diagnosed as Bi-Polar, he’s been in and out of the places. When he sees the sexy, yet petulant newcomer, Richard, Zander is, at first, annoyed with him. But then, over time, Zander finds himself cultivating a friendship with the artist—one that grows into something deeper.

But can the two men overcome their mental diseases, or is their relationship doomed before it even begins?

Excerpt:

“You have two minutes to get him back here.”

Zander snorted. “Now you’re just setting me up to fail. He’s not going to be able to walk that well on his own. I’m going to probably have to drag his sorry ass down here. That’s not fair.”

“His records say he only weighs one-forty. Even a scrawny thing like you should be able to handle that,” Samuel smirked.

Zander wanted to call back and ask who was calling who scrawny, but bit back the comment, as he’d already caused enough trouble as it was. So he just settled for walking out of group and going to his room.

He found Richard exactly where he expected him to be—passed out on the bed, sleeping like the dead. Zander went over and shook him on the shoulder. “Get up. They want you in group.”

“Go away and leave me alone,” Richard mumbled, before he flipped over in the opposite direction.

Zander sighed. Just as he suspected, this was not going to be easy for him. “Come on. After group, they bring up our breakfast. Nothing says yummy better than rubber pancakes. Then the doctors come, and it’s meds time! That’s when you get to feel like a real crazy. You line up with the rest of the crew to get a tiny pill to swallow, then you have to open up and stick out your tongue to prove you really took them. It’s just so classy, I tell you.”

Richard opened one bloodshot, yet beautiful, blue eye. “Sounds like a blast, but I’ll think I’ll pass. Thanks.”

Zander sighed. “You don’t have a choice. They just sent me to fetch you for group.”

“Are you kidding me? I feel like the entire Smurf village is playing around in my head, and they want me to go down there and talk about my feelings. Are they fucking with me?”

Zander was already beginning to like his new roommate. Now if he could just get the guy to be a bit more cooperative.

“I know it sucks,” Zander said. “But you don’t have a choice. Now get up, or I’ll have to carry you.”

Just when Zander thought for sure that he was going to have to go through with his threat, Richard kicked off the covers and sat up. He dangled his feet off the edge of the mattress for a moment, wobbling while he got his bearing, his eyes rolling back in his head a few times.

“Man, they dosed you up pretty good,” Zander laughed.

“I was having a real Joan Crawford moment.” Richard ran a hand through his messed up hair. “I don’t even want to see how I look. I can’t wait until they give me my clothes and styling stuff back. I feel lost without them.”

Zander laughed. “I know what you mean. The first day here, my hair hung in my face so bad, I looked like an emo kid trying to hide my face from the rest of the world.”

Richard gave a weak chuckle. “That must have been pretty tragic.”

Zander went over and put his hand on Richard’s arm, noting how pitifully thin it was. “Here, let me help you walk. We better get moving before we  Samuel off even more. He can be a real asshole at times.”

“Great. I haven’t even gotten out of bed, and I’m already in trouble.”

They managed to make their way to the media room, and Zander sat Richard down in a chair next to him. Samuel gave them both a look of disdain. “Nice of you gentlemen to finally join us.”

He handed them both sheets of paper. Looking down, Zander saw they were pictures of large jars that were full of little blank pieces of paper.

“I want you to write on each of those pieces of paper things that make you angry,” Samuel said.

While Zander was tempted to fill each and every one of them with Samuel he knew better, so instead he arched over the paper and put some real work into it:

Food

Fear of being fat

Binging

Purging

Hate

My body

Letting others down

Allowing what others think to dictate what I do

Fear of being alone

Hating that I’m alone

My parents

That people can’t accept me for being gay

Out of interest, he peeked out of the corner of his eye to see what Richard had written. What he saw almost made Zander break down and cry. Over and over, Richard had written the same thing:

I’m broken and can’t be fixed

I’m broken and can’t be fixed

I’m broken and can’t be fixed

I’m broken and can’t be fixed

I’m broken and can’t be fixed

 

Ellen Always Says It Best-Boy Scouts Listen Up!

Redemption or Burn-Available Now at Total-E-Bound

Redemption or Burn

Max is determined to redeem his family name, even if he has to die to do it. Will the man he loves give Max a reason to live?

Even though they were only fifteen at the time, Max and Dev were on the brink of falling for each other. Then Max’s father, the fire chief, committed a shameful act after which he was forced out of the field and the state.

Ten years later, Max is back and determined to redeem the family honour, no matter the cost. The last thing he expects to find out is that not only is Dev a part of Detroit Fire, but assigned to the same fire house as Max.

Will Dev be able to convince Max that it’s not worth dying to save the family name, or will Max make the ultimate sacrifice in order to right his father’s sins?

Excerpt:

 

Max walked up to the door of Detroit Fire’s Engine 49 and steeled himself to enter. Although it was cold as hell outside and his gear bag was already beginning to strain his back, he still found himself terrified of the reception he would get.

He recalled the last time he’d been there. It’d been nearly ten years ago, when he was fifteen. As usual, his best friend Dev had been by his side. They were visiting their fathers, who had been on duty for a couple of days.

That had been the hours before the ‘great disgrace’—the incident that made it so Dev’s father never came home, while Max’s father had come home with a ruined career.

It had also been the one and only time Max had kissed Dev. Best friends since birth, Max had harboured a crush on Dev for years. So, when he’d found out that Dev liked him back, Max should have been elated. Instead he’d been shattered, because he’d known that he and Dev would never see each other again.

Max shook off all those memories. He’d learnt long ago that it was a waste of time to dwell on what might have been. He had to deal with what the past had thrown his way and grow a thick skin. This was what he wanted to do for a living, and Max’d be dammed if he’d let his father or his shitty legacy stop that from happening.

Since it was really getting cold and he knew it wasn’t smart to linger outside in the not-so-nice neighbourhood, Max reached out and opened the door. He could hear the other men in his new company, talking in the other room. But the thing that caught his attention the most was the wall in front of him.

There were displayed all the fire chiefs from the past. The photos lined up in chronological order. But when it came to the years his father had served, there was a blank wall. Not that Max blamed them. After all, it was due to his father’s colossal fuck-up that eight firefighters had died. Yet, it still made his gut ache.

For years, the Callisters had served the fire department—back to the time when Detroit Fire had been formed. Until his father, Max’s family had been known for being good at their jobs and were almost a legacy.

It looked like that had changed.

Taking a deep breath, Max made his way to the living quarters. As soon as he stepped into the room, the others glanced his way and a heavy silence filled the room. It was as if somebody had pushed a giant mute button and now couldn’t find the remote to turn it off.

“Shit! We finally get a new body and it had to be this jerk,” a short blond finally broke the spell.

“Yeah, it would have been better to keep going one man short than to have a Callister at our side.” This comment came from a tall dark-haired guy.

“Come on, guys. Leave him alone. He’s not his father,” a soft voice cut in.

The tone sounded so familiar that Max sucked in a breath. He studied the guy, looking for any familiar features, but after ten years, he couldn’t be sure.

“Dev, I can’t believe you’d even say that since your own dad died that day,” returned the blond.

A cold sweat broke out over Max’s body, but it didn’t have anything to do with the scathing comments. Those he’d been expecting.

What he hadn’t anticipated was Dev.

 

Who wants to see an excerpt for Ackley’s Savior?

Coming February 1

“Is there something you needed?” Isaac asked sharply.

Instead of answering him, Ackley grabbed Isaac’s battered hands and brought them up, carefully studying them.

“You’re hurt,” Ackley finally said in a strangely concerned voice.

“It’s no big deal. I’ve had worse.”

Isaac tried to pull his hands back but Ackley kept a firm grip. They played a strange game of tug-of-war for a few moments before Isaac finally gave up with an exasperated sigh. “Is there something you wanted, sir?”

“I thought I told you to call me by my name,” Ackley replied.

“You’re officially my superior officer. It wouldn’t be proper.”

“Maybe I just like the sound of my name on your lips.”

“Maybe I don’t like saying it.”

“Maybe I’m making it an official order.” Ackley’s eyes took on a hard glint.

Isaac took in a breath, his blood boiling with rage.

“Fine, I don’t like saying it, Ackley.” Isaac drew the name out for emphasis. “Now will you let my hands go?”

“You need to go to the infirmary.”

“Why? So your boyfriend can heal them?”

Ackley’s lips curled up into a smile that would have been considered cute under any other circumstances. “I don’t have a boyfriend…yet.”

“Well, don’t let me keep you from that search. Get going,” Isaac urged.

Ackley took a step closer. “Oh, I found what I was looking for.”

Isaac’s heart stuttered. Surely Ackley didn’t mean what Isaac thought he did. If so, that would have to be the biggest irony of all. “You…you did?”

Gazing directly into Isaac’s eyes, Ackley nodded. “Yes.”

Now Isaac had an inkling of what Ackley’s targets must feel like right before Ackley went in for the kill, only Ackley wasn’t there to assassinate him. No, it was much worse. And come to think that a mere few hours ago, this predicament would have filled Isaac with joy.

“And what if I don’t want any part of this arrangement?” Isaac asked.

Ackley blinked as if confused. The arrogant ass probably didn’t ever stop to consider that Isaac might not want a relationship with him. Silly bird! “Why wouldn’t you want to? I can protect you.”

“From what?”

“From being hurt. You’re so small and vulnerable. You’ve been hurt in the past. I heard about it, and I want to make sure that it never happens again.”

Isaac’s mouth opened and closed a few times in outrage. Just when he thought the asshole couldn’t get any worse. “I showed you earlier that I am more than capable of taking care of myself. I don’t need anybody to watch over me. I may be small, but I don’t need to be coddled. I can handle anything that comes my way. Now let me go, so I can go to bed.”

Instead, Ackley brought one of Isaac’s hands up and began to feather kisses over the cuts and bruises. Despite his anger, a small shiver of pleasure worked its way down Isaac’s spine and worked its way to Isaac’s cock. Damn, his body for betraying him. He’d have to give it a firm talking to later on.

“What are you doing?” he demanded.

“Kissing it better,” Ackley replied between pecks.

Had somebody told Isaac that one of the coalition’s toughest assassins would be kissing away his boo-boos by night’s end, he would have laughed in their faces. Yet, there it was, happening right in front of his doorway.

While a small part of Isaac wanted to let it go on for the rest of the night, he was still angry enough to give one last pull. To his surprise, this time Ackley let go.

“I don’t know what in the hell has gotten into you, but there is nothing going on between us,” Isaac spat.

“You’re cute when you get mad,” Ackley observed with a sexy grin.

Isaac shook his head. “Are we in opposite land or something?? A few hours ago, you didn’t even know my name, and now you want me like a cat wants catnip.”

“Baxley told me all about you, and I realized that you would be the perfect mate for me.”

Isaac threw his hands in the air. “Why?”

“Because you’re just like him. So sweet and innocent and in need of a protector.”

Isaac felt like he’d just been thrown into some weird dream or something, because nothing was making any damn sense.  He didn’t know whether he wanted to strangle Ackley or just outright kill him. “Baxley and I are nothing alike. You know nothing about me.”

“I know I want you.”

“And I know you are an idiot.”

With that final insult, Isaac went inside and slammed the door in Ackley’s face.

Bruce-The Super Dog!

As some of you may have remembered, we recently adopted a rescue dog. His name is Bruce.

While I would like to tell you that is he is cute, fluffy and the most beautiful thing ever, I would be lying. Bruce is allergic to his own skin, covered in scabs and has a nasty habit of sneezing in people’s faces. But, damn do I love that dog and I’ll tell you why. He has been my savior.

Over the past few months I have been suffering some panic attacks. Not just small ones, either, but ones that have incapacitated me. While I have meds for them, they can take up to forty-five minutes to work and during that time, I still have to suffer.

One day, I was in bed, fighting one off when the most amazing thing happened, Bruce jumped into bed, curled up next to me and snuggled into me. Slowly, but surely the panic attack eased up. It didn’t go away completely, but at least it eased up enough where I felt like I could breathe again.

So, now whenever I feel a panic attack coming on, I grab my Bruce security blanket, clutch him to my chest and hold him tight until I feel better. The funny thing is he holds still the entire time. Almost as is he knows how much I need him.

A lot of people tell me how I saved Bruce that day we took him home, but now I realize that we saved each other. Sure he may have itchies and boo-boos and he may bark at anything that moves, but he’s my mangy mutt. I wouldn’t trade him for the any top dollar breed dog out there.

So, I urge all of you out there, if you are thinking of getting a dog, go the rescue route. You just may find your next best friend.

Charlie the Unicorn-Part Four

What? You didn’t expect me to get deep on my first day back did you? Pishhhh….