Melissa Snark's Blog: The Snarkology, page 40
March 26, 2015
ARC offering: CALL DOWN THE MOON #Paranormal #Romance
Author Mary Gillgannon has an ARC offering for 20 advance review copies of her paranormal romance, CALL DOWN THE MOON. Interested reviewers will receive an free PDF ebook of the book in exchange for agreeing to leave an honest review on Amazon, Goodreads, or Barnes & Noble.
Please leave a comment with your name and your email address. All ARC copies will be distributed by the author only. Email addresses are absolutely mandatory to participate in this offering.
URLs for posting reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q3RFF7M
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/call-...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24169101-call-down-the-moon
In the ninth century, Irish warrior Connar fell hopelessly in love with Aisling, one of the Nine Sisters, a group of priestesses skilled in healing. When Aisling came to a tragic end, he used magic to travel to the future to be reunited with her. But Aisling, now Allison Hunter, a free-lance writer in Denver, doesn’t remember her previous life. Which means Connar has to get her to fall in love with him all over again.
Excerpt:
She looked uneasy, Connar thought as he went back into the living room. To her, he was a stranger. It was reasonable for her to be wary and cautious. If only it was not so difficult for him to restrain himself. He didn’t want to make polite small talk. He already knew her. Her essence, her deepest spiritual self. The rest of it didn’t matter.
But he had to be considerate, to put her at ease. “They said the pizza should be here in forty-five minutes. Would you like a drink while we wait?”
“Maybe some wine.”
He went into the kitchen and pulled a dusty bottle from the wine rack, then dug in the drawer for a corkscrew. His hands shook as he inserted the corkscrew and worked it down. He couldn’t believe this moment had come. Aisling was here. After all these centuries. It was…magic. He took a deep breath. She was the whole center of his world, his reason for existence. He had to make certain everything went perfectly.
Pulling out the cork, he poured each of them a glass of wine and took the glasses into the living room. She was sitting on the couch, looking so beautiful it made his chest hurt. He handed her a glass and sat down beside her. Not too close. He didn’t want to distress her. But if he didn’t touch her soon, he would lose his wits.
She took a sip of the wine. The tip of her tongue poked out in an unconscious gesture as she tasted the wine. Connar sucked in his breath. He couldn’t endure much more. He was overwhelmed with desire. It was torment to be so close to her. To watch the rise and fall of her breasts beneath the tight fabric of her dress. To observe the pulse of life in her slim neck. To feast his eyes on the silken perfection of her skin. Every nuance, every detail of her body aroused him.
“It’s good wine,” she said. “I mean, I’m hardly a connoisseur, but it’s very mellow.” She looked at him, a shy flash of blue eyes. His mind went blank as he focused on her lips. Full and ripe, and moist from the wine.
He put down his own glass and cleared his throat, struggling for control. “Yes, it’s good wine. I’ve been saving it.”
“Saving it? For me?” Her voice was breathless, soft and light. Her pupils were huge, the black centers consuming the blue irises.
“Yes, for you.” He took her glass of wine and carefully set it on the table to his right. Then, he reached out and put his hand on her neck. She didn’t move, merely stared at him, lips slightly parted. He leaned forward to kiss her.
New Release: Pipe Dreams by Ashantay Peters #Romance #TWRP
Publisher – The Wild Rose Press
Genre – Fantasy
Words – 55,630
Release Date – March 27, 2015
Abigail Stephens left her past behind or did she? When she moved to Blue Peak, she expected to find sanctuary and a new start. Instead, her new home includes a hippie, a ghost with a mission, and a sexy coffee house owner who undermines her plans.
Carlos Young quit teaching when his fiancée left him for another professor. He’s avoided dating, but his mother’s demand for grandchildren is unceasing and more attractive once he meets Abby.
She resists his overtures…for now. Can an intrusive mother, a reticent ghost, and a run-down house bring Abby and Carlos together or will they continue to live pipe dreams?
Buy Links
Excerpt:
“So are you the new owner of this wreck?”
Her hands clenched, along with her jaw. “I’m the proud owner of what will soon be a lovely home.”
He snorted. “You planning to have this in shape any time before winter? Because from where I’m standing, you’ll need more than a mop.”
Abigail’s ears heard echoes of Rich. “I have power tools, and I know how to use them. You have an issue with that?”
“No, I don’t have an issue. You’ve got work ahead of you. Just sayin’. I guess you’ll be hiring a crew for the big stuff, right?”
Abigail threw her shoulders back. This guy sounded exactly like Rich. Bossy. “I can handle it.” She’d already sub-contracted the larger jobs, but that wasn’t his business.
His mouth drew into a tight line, his hands fisted on his hips. “Sorry to bother you. I stopped because it looked like you might need a hand. Guess I misunderstood.”
Dropping his hands, Carlos turned to leave, looking back with a frown. “Good luck with this place. Come on, Henry, we’re not needed here.”
Henry paused, allowing her to ruffle his fur. He broke into a run, following the pissed-off man. An imp on her shoulder prodded her to call after him, “Bye, Henry. You can come visit anytime.” Sotto voce she added, “But leave your human home.”
The dog’s owner kept walking with his shoulders up around his chin.
“Men,” she huffed under her breath. “Just a bunch of know-it-all jackasses. And the good-looking ones are the worst.”
About the Author
Ashantay Peters lives in the North Carolina mountains, where she loves escaping into a well-written book. Her reading addiction also has her perusing magazines, newspapers, Internet articles and even food labels. The last is often feebly excused as an attempt to maintain health, but her friends know the truth.
Ashantay has four romantic-suspense/mystery releases with The Wild Rose Press: Death Stretch, Death Under the Mistletoe, Death Rub, and Dickens of a Death. She is at work on a sequel to Pipe Dreams entitled Déjà vu All Over Again.
She loves to hear from readers and promises not to stalk anyone who contacts her.
Contact Links
Web site -www.ashantay.com
Email – ashantay.peters@gmail.com
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com.ashantay.peters
https://www.amazon.com/author/ashantaypeters
March 25, 2015
New Release: Something Old Something Dead by Misty Simon #TWRP #Romance
Ivy Morris never thought she’d be walking her new stepmother down the aisle to her father. Not a flawless event, because, really, when is anything in Ivy’s life flawless? At least she avoids tripping. It’s the reception that has the flaw. The wedding singer nearly chokes to death on a glass of water, and then Ivy’s sister finds something unexpected in the parking lot.
And that’s not all. Something odd is going on in the sleepy little town of Martha’s Point — for some reason, no female under the age of fifty can keep her hands off Ivy’s boyfriend. Ivy’s little shop enjoys a tremendous increase in business as those women keep running in to buy more new sexy lingerie, but her heart is anything but happy.
What will it take to solve these mysteries? Is Ivy up to it? Well, she’s about to find out.
Buy Links:
Excerpt:
“I wonder what’s up with Shelley.” Bella freshened her lipstick, which looked like it had been chewed off. Had she done that herself, or had her new squeeze, Officer Jared, done it for her? I really envied her freedom to do whatever she wanted whenever the mood struck her.
“It’s like an epidemic today,” I said. “Some woman at the dress shop sewed up most of my dress wrong and I could barely fit into it. When Sarah, the owner, finally got hold of me, she gave it a couple of tugs and, voila, it fit like a dream. I don’t get it.”
“I wouldn’t worry. Let’s get you taken care of as best we can and get back out there. I left Jared with a very strained expression on his face, and I don’t want it to go away before I’m good and ready.”
Bella, the eternal sexpot. I wished I could call myself the kettle.
Instead, we went back out to the table with my hair pulled into a messy but chic ponytail. Thank goodness Bella had a pair of earrings in her purse that hung almost to my shoulder. They made the stubby ponytail look a little less fourth grade and more fancy college co-ed. I hadn’t done anything with the degree I had received other than be an admin assistant, but I could look the part, I guessed.
When we arrived back at the table, Ben rose from his chair and helped me into mine. He could be a gentleman when he wanted to be. Not that he was a complete jerk at other times, but he did have his moments of over-the-top arrogance.
Bio:
Misty Simon loves a good story and decided one day that she would try her hand at it. Eventually she got it right. There’s nothing better in the world than making someone laugh, and she hopes everyone at least snickers in the right places when reading her books. She lives with her husband, daughter and three insane dogs in Central Pennsylvania where she is hard at work on her next novel or three. She loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at misty@mistysimon.com
Author Links:
Website: www.mistysimon.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misty.simon.18
Twitter: @MistySimon
Alphas Gone Wild still 99 cents for 2 more days #Paranormal #Romance
99 cents today!
Two more days and it’s not…
The price on the Alphas Gone Wild box set is going up Friday. If you’ve been thinking about buying it and haven’t, this is your opportunity to get it while it’s still less than a dollar.
NEW RELEASE! 99 cents! Some alphas are too wild to tame, but our sassy heroines enjoy a beast in the sheets. It’s feminine wiles and wanton shenanigans as each of these ladies comes up against the man of her dreams.
Alphas Gone Wild features 11 sizzling hot tales of shapeshifter romance from NY Times and USA Today best selling authors.! All for 99 cents!
85 5-star reviews.
4.7 out of 5 stars.
Amazon US http://goo.gl/kiuQWR
Amazon UK http://goo.gl/pJjrjz
iTunes: http://goo.gl/nkk6q9
All Romance http://goo.gl/XYHUNJ
Kobo http://goo.gl/jsl9yx
Be sure to check out the giveaway opportunity to win up to $100 in gift card from the authors of the newly released Alphas Gone Wild box set!
https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e05c901572/
March 24, 2015
My love of myths by Nancy Corrigan #Romance #Mythology
I love mythology and folklore. The stories passed verbally from generation to generation range from the fantastical to the cautionary. Before history was written down, beliefs and past events were captured in fabulous tales told in such a way that they were guaranteed to stay with the listener. It was a necessary requirement. The only way the story would live on was through the next rendition of it. And people being individuals with their own personalities and beliefs often tweaked the story to suit whatever they believed. It’s the reason why there are often so many versions of a myth.
One thing they all contain is a world rich in imagery. It’s that fact that I find the most fascinating and it’s the one I love to embrace when I’m looking for story ideas. One of my favorite, the Wild Hunt myth, is the basis of my Wild Hunt series. J
What is it, you might ask? Well, like most myths it has a multitude of interpretations, but they all generally have one aspect in common—the Wild Hunt is a spectral procession of hounds and horsemen riding across the night sky in the pursuit of prey. Some versions differ on what they are searching for, if anything in particular.
My Wild Hunt series embraces aspects of several versions of the myth. In my world, the Huntsmen are protectors of the innocent who round up escaped creatures from Hell. Birthed from the Lord of the Underworld and a human mother, they have ties to both realms. They are as untamed and wicked as the Hunt is often depicted, until they meet their true love, of course. Only a special person can love a demigod who can turn into a beast from Hell. Once they find that special person, they’ll make them the center of their world.
I’m in the process of expanding and reediting book 1 of this series, and soon I’ll be rereleasing it along with a prequel and book 2.
Hunter Sacrificed, the prequel to the Wild Hunt series, releases this summer.
Arawn, Lord of the Underworld, understands pain and suffering. Every second of every day, he shares in the agony of those who have been wronged. He vows to avenge them, but his sacrifice turns him into a pawn. There’s strength in numbers, though. And he’ll need every one of his Huntsmen to win the greatest game of all time—the Wild Hunt.
Author Bio
A true romantic at heart, Nancy Corrigan is convinced there’s a knight in shining armor for every woman (or man), but you won’t find damsels in distress in her stories. She adores pairing alpha heroes with women strong enough to match them and bring them to their knees. She also enjoys flipping the traditional roles in romances because her motto is—love and people should never be forced to conform to anyone’s norm.
She holds a degree in chemistry and has worked in research but now focuses on ensuring quality. She considers it the perfect outlet for her as she’s the first to admit she has some OCD tendencies. It carries over into her writing life too. While engrossed in a novel, she has a habit of forgetting to eat and sleep. Fortunately, she’s married to her own knight in shining armor who understands her oddities and loves her anyway. They reside in Pennsylvania with their three children, dog, snake and guinea pigs. Her other interests include tattoos, animals, classic cars and all things spooky and sexy.
Sign up for my newsletter for the latest details.
Social Media Links
March 23, 2015
EMP by Wilson Harp (Contest) #Dystopian #Fantasy @Goddessfish
In a flash of searing light, the world changed. A massive solar flare has crippled the modern world and brought chaos and destruction. David Hartsman is stuck in the remote farm town of his youth on what was expected to be a short visit to check on his ailing parents. While his wife and his daughter are hundreds of miles away at home in Chicago, David must face the dangers associated with his own survival and the pressures of not being with his family. In a worldwide catastrophe, every struggle is personal.
Excerpt:
The days had turned warmer and the rains had come to a stop. The fields were planted with the food that would allow us to survive, and everyone anxiously awaited the first harvest of lettuce and beans. Anything other than radish and turnip soup seasoned with a little green onion and boiled squirrel.
I walked past one of the fields and waved at the boys. Two of them carried rifles and several others had sharp spades. Those with the rifles were scanning the edges of the field making sure no rabbits came in to eat the precious crops. Those with spades walked along each row, making sure no moles or other burrowing varmint was making itself at home.
The boys waved back and went back to their vigilant sentry work.
I shook my head as I thought about what Lexi would say if she had seen this. She was afraid of guns. She never grew up around them and did not like them. I didn’t care one way or another. To me, they were just another tool. One I grew up with, but found no particular joy in using. It was like a hammer. Lexi was afraid of them and didn’t want one in the house, so I acquiesced to her demand.
But now they were needful things. The right tool for the right job. At night, the dogs were set free in the field and the snares were set along the edges. But in the daytime, a stray rabbit taken with a .22 meant not only saving our crops, but more meat in our stew.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Wilson Harp is a writer based out of the American Midwest. As a military brat, he traveled and met people from many cultures and backgrounds. Exposure to so many different views has led him to an appreciation of an eclectic collection of music, film and literature.
His sense of wonder at stories and folklore started young and continues to this day, often affecting the themes and ideas in his writing. In his works you will find the old fashioned ideas of virtue and honor as the lifeline that pulls many of his characters through the situations they often find themselves.
http://www.wilsonharpbooks.com/
https://www.facebook.com/wilsonharpbooks
@WilsonHarp on Twitter
The Mating Game–99 cents for a limited time
99 cents for a limited time only.
Two males…two friends…a competition for the right to claim The Heart of the Iron Stone Pack. Her pack demands only the most virile male have her. How can she choose only one mate when her body craves two—the virile beta and the man she loves?
4.1 out of 5 stars. From a top one-hundred ranked Amazon paranormal romance author.
Amazon US: http://goo.gl/pLevVz
Amazon UK: http://goo.gl/vQUVvy
March 22, 2015
Enchantress’ Destiny by Beth Caudill #fairytale #paranormal #romance
Title: Enchantress’ Destiny
Publisher: Moonlight Mountain Books
Date Published: March 2015
Genre: Paranormal Romance / Fantasy Romance
Word Count: Novella – 25,200 words
One dark curse, two elves and a destiny neither could escape.
Disregarded by her betrothed, elven princess Clairessa Bellehaven analyzes spell books and dreams of finding someone to share her life. Betrayed by her unfaithful witch boyfriend, she convinces herself a single night with another elf will do no harm. Except the Goddess has a plan and Clairessa will have to fight to save the man who seized her heart and refused to let her go.
Clan prince Rowe Calder arrived in Wildeloch to settle problems with his family’s business. What he found was the one elf he’d spent his life avoiding. His bondmate. The woman destined to bring about his death. Now he must find a way to keep his family safe when the dark elf comes to claim his soul.
Will a love long denied be strong enough to save them when darkness seeks retribution?
Enchantress’ Destiny is currently on sale for $0.99 through the end of March.
Buy links:
Excerpt:
Claire watched him walk to the bar. The view of his back, particularly his ass, was almost as enticing to stare at as the front. His long amber honey hair swished behind him and his scent, the tangy zip of orange, hung in the air like the fragrance from her orange-scented geranium. On his way back, blue, green and gold colored eyes held her gaze, and her insides quivered with nervous energy. He was a delicious sweet, mixed with the allure of a hunter’s confidence, like the tree lynx in search of prey.
A moment of indecision gripped her. Dating an elf would be problematic with the betrothal contract hanging over her head. But he tempted every part of her and their liaison would be fleeting. For one night, she could revel in the touch of another elf and embrace the wildness he called within her.
He returned with a cone-shaped glass, filled with a white liquor colored with the faintest tinge of blush and placed it in front of her. She twirled the toothpick with a winterberry on the end and raised an eyebrow at him.
“I didn’t order this.”
“It’s a club special.” His eyes and smile dared her to turn him down. “I hear they’re very popular with the female guests. Surely tonight is a time for experimentation?”
Accepting his lure, she drained half the concoction. Tartness exploded on her tongue and burned her throat, but she was never one to back away. Staring into his eyes, she licked her lips. “Delicious.”
His quiet moan sent a distinctly feminine thrill through her. Knowing a man appreciated her attributes brightened her mood.
Group laughter and the stamp of many feet heralded the arrival of at least ten people. Quickly, the remaining tables filled and they could hardly hear each other above the din. Her spirits took a downturn with the numerous arrivals. She’d enjoyed the quiet privacy.
A loud clatter disrupted every conversation as a lion shifter shoved a satyr into a table and it splintered under his weight. The goat-man rose, stomped his hooves and laughed, oblivious to the unhappy stares directed his way.
“Perhaps you’d like to take this elsewhere?” Rowe whispered in her ear.
Author Bio:
Although Beth grew up in West Virginia, she currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, two sons and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who makes an excellent lap warmer. Blending the analytical and creative sides of her brain, she delights in creating fantasy worlds for others. Catch her online most days except when NCIS and Once Upon a Time air.
Author Links:
Author Website: http://BethCaudill.net/
Author Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/fs6SU
Author Email: beth@bethcaudill.net
Author Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/beth_caudill/
Author Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorBethCaudill
Author Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/bethcaudill13/
Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/bethcaudill
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00538IWEU
While Enchantress’ Destiny is Book 2 in the series, the story can be read standalone. The main characters do not appear in Book 1, Healer’s Fate, and are only connected because they exist in the same world of Arilase.
Broken Embrace by Dana Mason (Contest) #Romance
Genre: Romantic Suspense
The Past…
As childhood sweethearts, Brian and Melissa’s plans were simple: finish school, get married, and live happily ever after. Unfortunately, life didn’t go as planned. Melissa went away to college, and Brian married her best friend.
The Present…
Seventeen years have passed and Brian’s stable family life has come crashing down around him. His wife’s a cheater, his teenage daughter is hiding things from him and Melissa is back in town to remind him of what he lost all those years ago.
Melissa’s returned home, ready to forgive and focus on her future, but that all changes the day she gets a desperate phone call from Brian’s daughter, Erin. Thrown back into Brian’s tumultuous life, Melissa struggles to move beyond the pain of his broken promise.
The Future…
While working together to save Erin from the evil web she’s caught in, Melissa and Brian fight to fix the past or face losing each other all over again.
Buy Links:
Amazon Barnes and Noble Smashwords iBooks iTunes Kobo
~Excerpt~
Brian stood with one hand on his daughter’s shoulder and one on his son’s, looking out over Erin’s bowed head. He felt like he’d been thrown back in time, back to a day he would never forget.
Their blond heads perfectly matched as they tilted toward each other in an iron embrace. He remembered the day like it was yesterday, the picture clear as the bright blue sky above. He knew right then—with every breath—he loved Melissa. Who gets this stuff at eight years old? He would’ve laughed at the idea if he had the energy. Who the hell understands what love is at eight? It didn’t make sense, but he couldn’t deny it.
Watching Melissa and Ali cry over their father’s coffin twenty-six years ago was so like today. There they stood, holding each other again, Ali’s hand reached out to Johnny’s, but her arm around Melissa, their heads together, crying all over again. He remembered how hard it had been for them both. He wanted to cry, too, and he did, for Ali and for Melissa. It hurt him in his soul to see the pain and tears in her eyes.
He looked again at Julie’s shining coffin glinting in the bright sun and wanted to kick himself for thinking about Melissa on this day, the very day he had to put his wife in the ground. If Julie could hear his thoughts, she would hate him. Ironically enough, so would Melissa. Melissa would never respect him, not after what he’d done to her, especially if she knew what he was thinking about now.
How did we get here? How did so many things change since that day? Nothing had turned out the way he’d planned. Back then, and for years after, his future was sure. He never doubted where life would lead him. But how could he regret? How could he—as he stood there with his kids—regret his family? Regret his life to this point? Regret Julie? No, he didn’t, of course not, but regret Melissa? Yes, he regretted losing Melissa. He loved Erin and Cody with his whole heart. He’d loved Julie, too, but Melissa was different. He couldn’t explain it, just different than Julie. Melissa held a part of his soul. To this day, she still gripped it in her hands. That part of him had been missing the day he’d proposed to Julie, and every day since then.
Melissa will always have it, even after she marries that jerk-off from Berkeley. Even then, she’ll still own a part of him. His stomach lurched at the thought of her with him, that puny, little clone with no heart or passion. Melissa was full of piss and vinegar, how long would it take this jerk to squash that out of her.
Is this what it felt like to Melissa? Had she felt this sinking, overwhelming sickness when she’d found out about him and Julie? Had she been living with it for all these years? Had her love for him been equal to his for her? He couldn’t remember if he’d ever told her how much he loved her. Did she know? Did that make everything harder for her? Did Julie understand how much he loved her? It’s too late to fix that—she’s gone—Jules is gone. Julie is dead! Did she understand how important she was to him? Even after the hateful things he’d said, he still loved her, and now she was gone.
~Giveaway~
Dana is giving away a $10 Amazon GC & eBook copy of Dangerous Embrace, Precious Embrace, and Broken Embrace during her tour.
For a chance to win please fill out the rafflecopter below.
~About the Author~
Dana Mason is happily settled in a small valley amongst the California grapevines with her husband and three children. Author of the romantic suspense, Embrace Series, she’s written about a group of friends from Northern California who learn just how short life can be when you don’t hold on to what’s important. Second chances don’t come easy…but sometimes love is worth the risk.
When not writing, Dana specializes in professional development and training. She’s also a board member on the local Art’s Council and does what she can to support the art community.
Author Links:
Brilliantly #funny… The Zillionaire Vampire Cowboy’s Secret Werewolf Babies #mustshare #amreading
Just the title makes me laugh. I had to share. This looks like satire at its finest.
Theirs was a love that nature never intended. Bigger than Texas. Hotter than Hades. Weirder than…a lot of other things you might have read about up until now.
Self-made zillionaire Rock Fangsworthy is your typical Texas cowboy…well, sort of. Typical in that the only thing this lethally sexy lady-charmer with the hair trigger temper loves more than his horse is his ranch, The Double Fang. Or maybe his boots. Less typical in the fact he’s also a four hundred year old vampire with a shocking secret—he can’t stand the sight of blood.
Buffi Van Pelt is just your average girl-next-door winery owner…or is she? The spunky single mom to twin boys also happens to be a winsome werewolf with secrets and troubles of her own. The winery that the gutsy good-girl recently inherited from her grandmother is on the verge of ruin. If Buffi can’t find a use for the mysteriously tainted wine before time and her pantry’s limited supply of red meat runs out, she and her pups will be left homeless, destitute and very, very hungry. Worse yet, her baby-daddy is the same hunky, bad-boy vampire rancher who’s out to steal The Best Little Winery in Bloodsuck from under her paws.
Once upon a time their passion flamed hotter’n a summer’s night in Dallas with three Cheerleaders and a side of habanero sauce. Tonight, love’s lightning might just strike them twice…but only if the wine don’t kill them first.
Amazon
ARE
Goodreads
Excerpt:
Rock had no use for wineries. After all, he didn’t drink…wine. He had no use for werewolves either, not since the day the Braveheart brothers, Butch and Barkley, had cheated him out of a prime parcel of land that should, by rights, have belonged to him. The pair had caught him napping during the day (an unfortunate necessity for those of his kind) and took the opportunity to mark their territory—not just in the manner of wolves, which would have been bad enough, but with stakes and flags and deed contracts—the kinds of thing the County Assessor’s Office put such child-like faith in.
Rock had tried twice to right the terrible wrong that had been done him, but both times he’d failed. His last attempt had been made shortly after Barkley, the second of the brothers to die, was killed in a routine hunting accident. He’d approached the widow Braveheart with his offer to buy her out, but had been rebuffed. Babs Braveheart might have been beautiful, but she had the brains to match her blonde good looks and was crazy to boot. She’d taken it into her head that Rock was at fault for her husband’s death.
Like anyone could be reasonably expected to distinguish between one wolf and another at a distance of several feet!
Babs had taken her revenge on Rock, sure enough. She’d made certain he didn’t get the only two things he’d ever wanted. But now the ding-dong bitch was dead, God rest her spiteful soul. Tonight, he would make his third and final offer for the winery. An offer the new owner, whoever he was, would not be able to refuse.
Rock reined his horse to a stop in the winery’s front yard and dismounted. He tied Monk to a conveniently placed grape arbor, a landscape feature that evoked sweet memories of better times. The vein in his temple throbbed harder. That arbor would be the first thing he’d have dismantled once the winery was his. He smiled as he imagined herds of happy cows frolicking in the vineyards, trampling the grapes, the tender fruit turning to jelly beneath their hooves.
His spurs jingle jangle jingled in a pleasantly menacing fashion as he strode confidently up to the front door. High pitched barking noises emanated from inside the house. Rock sneered at the sound. It pleased him to think the former werewolf home now housed a passel of pocketbook dogs, even though they’d shortly be gone as well.
Just as he was about to pound commandingly on the door, it was thrown open.
Rock stiffened. His jaw clenched harder. His vein throbbed. Again. “Buffi Van Pelt. I should have known you’d be back.” But, really, how could he have known something like that? Who would ever have expected that Babs and Barkley Braveheart’s granddaughter would return to the scene of their crime of passion? An awful suspicion took hold in his mind. “Don’t tell me you’re the new owner of The Best Little Winery in Bloodsuck?”
“Well, of course I’m the new owner,” she answered in flustered tones. She seemed distracted by the two puppies gamboling about at her feet.
“What did you expect?”
Rock ignored her question—and the puppies. As his gaze roved over the lithe yet athletic form of the woman he’d once been foolish enough to think he might love, the years since he’d last seen her (five, at least, wasn’t it? he was almost certain it had been that long) melted away as though it had been no more than two years. Three years, tops. He took note of her strong calves, her breasts rising and falling beneath the thin t-shirt she wore, her rosy cheeks, her red lips.
Her eyes were still as blue as Texas bluebonnets. And her hair—oh, how he remembered that glossy, gold mane, so similar in color and texture to the coat of the golden retriever puppy he’d loved as a child.
He’d named the puppy Rosebud. It had been his faithful companion for three-quarters of an afternoon. Until his cousin Viggo decided to eat him for a snack. Rock could still recall the sick horror he’d felt when he’d come upon them in the kitchen that day; Viggo’s mouth stained red with Rosebud’s blood, the puppy’s lifeless body hanging limp in his hands…
A sharp tug on his ankle brought Rock’s mind back to the present. He looked down. Way down. Down to where the two puppies—wolf-hybrids obviously, not pocketbook dogs after all, nor Golden Retrievers either, more’s the pity—were viciously attacking one of his custom-made, hand-crafted Lucchese lizard skin boots with the diamond-tipped spurs.
“Shoo,” he said as, gently but with firmness, he kicked his foot in an effort to dislodge the pests.
Buffi clapped her hands. “Vlad! Ivan! Stop that this minute!” she scolded.
Rock stared at her in disbelief. She’d named her dogs after his father and grandfather? Oh, the fickle cruelty of women! Why did she not just stake him through the heart and have done with it? The vein in his temple throbbed its agreement.
The Snarkology
- Melissa Snark's profile
- 543 followers
