Sarah Cass's Blog: Sarah's StoryLines, page 18

The Reality of You by Jean Haus

SYNOPSIS Naomi Porter was once witty, fun, and outgoing, but she has scratched outgoing off the list, along with men. She has a mediocre tech job in fabulous New York, a large smut book collection, and awesome friends, both tangible and in an online gaming community. She just doesn’t date. A future filled with cats and housedresses beats having her heart broken again. But Naomi still likes men, even kind of stalks—mostly fantasizes about—a gorgeous one at work during lunch. Her best friend, Kara, is determined that Naomi will be outgoing again. When Kara finds out who, as in a notorious playboy, Naomi is stalking at lunch, she plans to break Naomi of her lunchtime habit and bring her back into the real world. It’s just going to take a bit of deception. Between all the deceiving, fangirling, and bumbling, Naomi might not be able to resist the temptation of turning her seven-month fantasy into reality. And really, so what if he’s a playboy or a demanding jerk? Her fantasies don’t include love or even like, just a bed or a couch or the back seat of a limo… Reality might be just what she needs. *A sexy romantic comedy intended for audiences 18+ ADD TO GOODREADS - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... BUY LINKS (COMING SOON) ~Meet Naomi Porter ~ - They each had some kind of jackass drink: dry martini, cosmopolitan, Manhattan, Caipirini, and one neat, overpriced single malt scotch. Except for me. I drank beer. American beer. From the tap, thank you very much. -Whoa. Wow. Whoa. Between his gaze and his words, I imagined jumping on his lap and experiencing some of that. - What was better than fried tortillas? Nothing. Well, except Doritos. But they were fried tortillas with cheese-flavored dusting.  -Could sharks jump out of the water? The ocean lay more than a hundred feet away. I wanted a shark to swallow me whole and drag me to the deep, salty depths of the sea after that ramble. - But he is also hot, delicious, and the star of my day and night dreams. -I didn’t cook. I constructed dips. -I wanted to grab a toothpick and stuff it up my roommate’s nose. Two toothpicks to be precise, one for each nostril. - Seriously, I never imagined being a tux girl, but holy hot hell, I could dry hump his suit. Preferably with him in it, but… -You can never, ever, go wrong with bacon. - I was going to faint. Or let out a whoop. Or tackle him. And it wasn’t just because he was removing his pants. EXCERPT “Keep an open mind. First impressions aren’t always correct,” she said from behind me as we strode down the hall.  “I’m not expecting Prince Charming but those three are wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am all the way. Is a little interest, a little romance, a first date with a toe-curling kiss too much to ask for?” I inquired over my shoulder.  “Maybe you need a wham-bam to get back into business. Like get it over, then move on to the romance and the toe-curling kisses.” “Harrumph,” escaped me before we came out of the hallway and into the main bar. Three steps into the room, I stopped dead in my tracks. I became a deer in headlights when I noticed a person sitting sideways at the bar. Dark brown hair. Square jaw. Dark winged brows. Sensual lips with a rocks glass pressed to them. I gaped as he tipped the glass higher and amber liquid touched his lips.  Kara ran into my shoulder. “What the hell?” she asked, rubbing her jaw and stepping next to me. “Don’t pull this again. It’s only one more drink.” “It’s him,” I somehow said, though still in shock. “My lunch guy.”  “Him? What are you talking—” She followed my frozen gawk. “Holy shit, Naomi! He’s the guy you watch at lunch? That’s not a bike—that’s a luxury car! Like an Aston Martin!” Kara had a thing for luxury cars. And shoes. And clothes. And purses.  I nodded as the woman next to him gave him a sultry stare. Jealousy flared within in me. Hopefully the daydream kind, but yeah, he was an Aston Martin compared to the three ten speeds waiting in the other room.  Kara smacked her forehead. “I should have known. Why didn’t my stupid ass put two and two together when you described him? You know who he is, right?”  Locked on him, my eyes turned huge. “What? No.”  “He’s—” “Aggggg, not listening to Kara.” I covered my ears. “Don’t tell me.” Sure, I stalked him at lunch, but I didn’t want the possibility of becoming a full-time stalker. More than that, I didn’t want my lunchtime lustful fantasies ruined by reality. I was more than aware of it being a fantasy. I liked it as a fantasy.  BOOK TRAILER  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u798-... AUTHOR BIO I write young adult and romance novels. I read a lot too. I even do a bit of cooking, which is actually quite good. I also golf a lot in the summer with my awesome husband and son, but I cook way, way better than I golf.  I am Represented by Jane Dystel of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management. SOCIAL LINKS Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jean-H... Twitter - https://twitter.com/JeanHaus Website - http://jeanhaus.com/jeanh/ Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... HOSTED BY: a Rafflecopter giveaway http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/shar...

A Will to Change by Beth Rinyu

SYNOPSIS In A Cry for Hope you meet Jamie’s carefree younger brother, Will. Now read his story…Will McAdams is a New York City firefighter who has always lived in the shadow of his older brother, never quite measuring up to his parents standards. He lives his life without regrets, and answers to no one. The women love him and he uses that to his advantage, making it clear that he only has one use for them.Gabby Spencer is a nurse in the burn unit of a busy New York City hospital. Her guarded personality doesn’t allow many people into her life and her patients take the place of her lack of family. She masks the pain that she is harboring deep inside with quick wit and sarcasm.When Will becomes one of Gabby’s patients they form a special bond and soon become each other’s solace. But Will doesn’t see her like every other woman in his life. She means the world to him and he feels an underlying need to always protect her – most of all from himself. Even though he wants her more than he’s ever wanted any other woman, he’s not willing to take that next step and jeopardize everything they have. When jealousy and pain begin to overtake their once perfect friendship, will Will’s fear of falling in love and never measuring up, cause him to lose the one and only woman to ever own his heart? * This is a companion novel to A Cry For Hope and can be read as a stand-alone. ADD it to Goodreads BUY LINKS Coming Soon BOOK TRAILER https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XRnX... EXCERPT Gabby rambled on until our food came, only stopping when her eyes lit up at the size of her burger. “Told ya!” I teased. “Told me what?” she asked, taking a bite from her fry. “I saw the look on your face when you saw the size of that burger.” “This little thing?” she asked, looking down at her plate. I nodded. “Oh please, Will. I’ve had bigger ones than this in my mouth.” I almost spit my ice tea all over the place. “I meant burgers, pervert!” “Mmm hmmm, I bet you did!” She smirked as she smothered her burger in ketchup and relish. “Geez, Gabby. Why don’t you have some burger with your ketchup and relish?” “I love ketchup!” she said, licking it off her fingers. “I can see that!” “Don’t you?” she asked, opening her mouth wide and taking a bite. “Yeah, but not half the bottle. Definitely not relish, though.” “Mmmm….you don’t know what you’re missing!” she said, taking another huge bite. “Here, taste.” She held the burger up to my mouth. “Gabby, it’s drenched in -.” “Come on, Will. Don’t be afraid to try new things.” I opened my mouth and took a bite. It wasn’t half bad. “Not bad, is it?” she asked with her adorable grin as she picked up the napkin and wiped the ketchup off my face. I took the top bun from my burger. “Lay it on me, Gabby girl!” She held her hand up to give me a high five before picking up the bottle of relish and ketchup. “Woohoo! Sister Gabby has made you see the error of your ways. Bless you, Will,” she giggled. She squirted on the ketchup and relish, and lifted her burger up to her mouth. “Come on, Will. Let’s do it together,” she teased in an overly sexy voice. “You are a piece of work, you know that?” I chuckled. She took a bite of her burger at the same time as me. I never thought that someone could actually look adorable chewing food, but Gabby proved that theory wrong. She swallowed it down and took a sip of her milk shake. “Was it good for you?” she asked. Neither one of us were able to control our laughter. It didn’t get any better than being here with her. Chapter 1 link A WILL TO CHANGE AUTHOR Ever since I can remember, I have always enjoyed Creative Writing. There was always something about being able to travel to a different place or become a different person with just the stroke of a pen – or in today’s world a touch of the keyboard. I am the author of The Exception To The Rule, An Unplanned Lesson, An Unplanned Life and Drowning In Love and A Cry for Hope. I am currently working on A Will To Change the companion novel to A Cry For hope….stay tuned! My life is not as interesting as my books or the characters in them, but then again whose life is? I was born and have lived in New Jersey my whole life. I’m a mom of twin teenage boys, a teenage stepson, a crazy Border Collie and a cat with an identity crisis! I guess you can say writing is my form of Calgon! I am married to a wonderful guy – but we’ll keep that between us, I don’t want him getting a big head!  Thanks for taking the time to learn about my books and me! If you decide to read them (and I hope you do!) please be sure to go on and review it for me – yes, even if you don’t like it! SOCIAL LINKS https://www.facebook.com/BethRinyu http://www.twitter.com/BethRinyuWriter https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... HOSTED BY: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/shar... a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kingdom of Celosia by Crystal St. Clair

Kingdom of Celosia Blog Tour Crystal St. Clair My first novel is a first of its series, a fantasy erotica romance, called Kingdom of Celosia : Hearts On Fire Amongst Cold Shadows. Princess Faith faces a life of duty to the Kingdom of Celosia, but she dreams of freedom. She is daily reminded of the burden she will one day carry as she is educated to become a Queen… The greatest of these reminders is a pendant given to her by her mother which is imbued with magical properties. Matters of the heart also hinder Faith from accepting her role. She is engaged to Prince Merek, but has no feelings for him. She secretly longs for true love, despite the fact that her rank keeps her from loving the man she desires most, the stable-hand Justus. Feeling trapped by the arrangement, there is little she wouldn’t consider doing to stop the wedding, but it seems her fate is sealed. On the borders of their land is the Dark Forest, a home for many creatures with elemental powers of untold might. In that realm, the Troll King plots to kill her father and the wolves in his court are on the hunt for her, believing she is easy prey. But Faith is much stronger than they suspect, and against all odds, she sets out to protect those she loves. Armed with her bow, riding on the back of her trusted mount, Ruby, she must confront the forces of evil that threaten to take everything from her and conquer them in the name of Celosia. Amazon | Smashwords Crystal St. Clair is a busy mother who lives in the multicultural country of Canada not in an igloo, but wishes she had a pet beaver who likes syrup and pancakes. She can usually be found playing soccer with her kids while their dog steals the spot light, making others laugh, writing poetry and other stories go to her loved ones or someone in need of a smile. She is a proud sponsor member of Plan Canada – I Am A Girl foundation and volunteers for Canine Connect A Care Rescue. She is a Law Clerk graduate but hopes to become a full time author writing novels for adults and the young generations. Crystal St. Clair played Momma Bear in a Middle School production of The Bernstein Bears and wrote her first story that started her publishing interest. Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crysta... Twitter: @mzcryz Website: http://www.crystalstclairauthor.blogs... Tumblr: www.mzcryz.tumblr.com a Rafflecopter giveaway

Killer’s Instinct by Dawn Dalton & Judith Graves

| Amazon | BN | Synopsis    Where there is NO life there s Hope Hope has always been a bit of a freak. But when her mother crawls from her grave and her undead corpse goes MIA, Hope s last thread of normal snaps with a vengeance. Enrolling in a militia-style school for monster hunters seems her best bet for tracking down Mommy-dearest and putting what s left of her mother to rest. But the stakes are raised when she s partnered with three unique male recruits each with their own personal demons to slay if they want to survive basic training. But does Hope have a true killer s instinct? If she finds her mother, will she have the guts to do what must be done to save her soul? In a place like Le Manoir, all bets are off. What could be creepier than hunting down your own zombie mommy?….A single page in, I was hooked. Jacqueline Mitchard, author of What We Lost in the Dark and The Deep End of the Ocean Killer s Instinct is going to knock other YA monster-battling books off the shelves. Gary Braver, bestselling and award-winning author of Tunnel Vision AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Killers-Instinc... GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...   ABOUT THE AUTHORS   Dawn Dalton is the author of creepy young adult fiction. When she isn’t dodging monsters, you can find her at creepy crossroads with her husband and two hounds — you know, just skulking around. Dawn also writes adult thriller, romantic suspense ad contemporary young adult under the last name Ius. She is represented by Mandy Hubbard at D4EO Literary Agency. BLOG: http://www.dawnmdalton.blogspot.com TWITTER: https://twitter.com/dawn_dalton FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/dawnmdalton INSTAGRAM: DawnDalton Judith Graves has multiple young adult novels and short stories published with Leap Books,  Orca Book Publishers, Compass Press, and, under the pen name, Judith Tewes, is also published with Bloomsbury Spark. In addition, Judith is abscreenwriter and playwright, writes freelance articles for literary magazines, and facilitates writing workshops for both adults and young adults. TWITTER: https://twitter.com/judithgraves FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/judithgraves... WEBSITE: http://www.judithgraves.com/   Giveaway: –Giveaway is open Internationally | Must be 13+ to Enter   1 Winner will get $20 Pay Pal Cash + an eBook of KILLER’S INSTINCT a Rafflecopter giveaway *~*

Tuesday Tales – Ride – The Wolf

Welcome back to Tuesday Tales!  This weeks prompt is to be inspired by the word Father. I’m sticking with the next installment of The Tribe series - The Wolf again this week.  To set up the scene ever so briefly without revealing too much, Velli and Kane are on their way back to the one place Velli never wanted to return – the reservation where she faced a painful and severe punishment because she fell in love…with Kane. They have to go, because something is there that they must find. Along the way, Velli spots another spot. The one place where her life changed forever: Instead of driving straight through, Kane behaved like a normal human. They stopped often on their ride for breaks and spent the night in hotels. Even in their need to get to their daughter he’d been considerate of her still healing body, and the wounded soul being ripped back open with every mile closer to what had been her home for so long. For that she was grateful, even if it somehow made it both worse and better at the same time. With her Wolf back her own pains were intensified by Tala’s still broken spirit. Of course, there was the anger and the knowledge that the people so cruel to one of their own, the ones that hadn’t recognized Velli’s pain, they were the ones raising her child. Kane mostly left her alone in her quiet to absorb every mile marker of impact, every memory that rushed forward to remind her of what they drew closer to. Rationally she knew her mind exaggerated the horrors of her youth to make peace with the terror and pain of her final days there. In truth, beyond the depth of fear and sorrow was a note of peace. Returning to the home she’d known so long brought a sense of relief. Her mother. The lands filled with magic. The familiar forests and lakes that filled her few peaceful dreams. Kane’s hand brushed her leg again as it had periodically throughout their drive. The gesture offered an occasional comfort and offer of support she’d been free to reject. This time she grabbed his hand and straightened. “Stop.” The squeak in her voice embarrassed her. She hadn’t realized how long it had been since she’d spoken. The truck stopped short and they both jerked forward with the force of the sudden stop. His thumb brushed the back of her hand when she lingered in silence. “Vels? What is it?” “That’s it.” Her heart raced so fast she worried it might burst. The skeleton of the silo’s roof hovered above the tree line, broken and rotted with the age of the past ten years. Last time she’d been there the roof had been whole, where bats collected in a writhing nest. A seatbelt clicked and his warmth covered her against the sudden chill coursing through her. More than anything she wanted to turn into his warmth and go away, push away the memory once again as she always did. Instead she shoved open the door at the same time as she undid her seat belt. Ignoring his yell to wait, she took off running. Toward the place that started her pain. If she was going to face the pain of returning home, first she had to face this place. Where everything started. She didn’t know if it would help, and it probably wouldn’t, but she had to prove she was strong enough. Turned out she wasn’t. Ten yards away she stopped, gasping at the impact of a memory. “Poke Pocahontas!” Childish stupid laughter echoed through the dark enclosure. Another painful attack made her sore body jerk in protest. The laughter annoyed the bats still lounging and they swooped in her face and hair as the boys pinned her to the wall. “Velli.” Kane shook her hard. “Velli. Look at me, baby.” She hadn’t even realized she was crying until the pad of his thumb brushed a tear away. His lips took care of another. “I can’t even face this. How can I go back?” “Because you aren’t alone. You tried to do this alone. I’m here now.” “I always thought I was so strong. I’m not. I’m just a hell of an actress.” “And so modest, too.” The laugh bubbled out before she could stop it. A weak laugh that was muffled by his chest along with her words, “Big oaf.” “I know.” He pushed her back by her shoulders until he could press his forehead to hers. The steady strength of his touch helped ease her trembling. “And just for the record, I think you’re more than strong. You’re invincible.” “Kane.” She sighed and grasped his cheeks in her hands. “Gushing doesn’t look good on you.” “I don’t gush.” He spun her around and smacked her ass. “Now get moving.” Reassured by his presence, she did just that. Any time she faltered his strong hand rested on her shoulder to help. Before she could truly contemplate running in the other direction they were standing in the door. “What a shit hole.” “It had a roof. Back then.” She wrapped her fingers around the cold rusted metal of the door and pulled it open. The grating squeak of the hinges sent Tala shivering and she felt a similar shudder from Kane. At the moment, Tala wasn’t cowering—after all it wasn’t her fears now. It was Velli’s. “Looks like it’s still a hangout.” Kane’s bitter tone echoed through the small space. Funny, it had seemed so much bigger a decade ago. “I can smell it all. You said you kill the ones that raped you?” “They were the first people I ever killed.” Velli ran her hand along the concrete blocks of the walls until the cold seeped into her fingertips. The icy chill seeped through to her heart until the rapid beat slowed to almost a stop. “I did it before I left Canada. There was a horrible accident. They were drinking and died in a car wreck. Drowned in the lake. Tragic.” “Too good a death for them.” She smiled, not the least bit bothered about finding humor in their deaths. Vengeance may not be right in most cases, but it had been necessary for her. “They didn’t die slow. I got to watch the light face from their eyes as I drowned them. I poured beer down their throats as they struggled just as they had done to me.” “Seems they passed on their tips and tricks. This place reeks of sex, drugs, and alcohol.” Even without the senses of her Wolf she could smell everything. The silo itself was saturated with the sickening scents of her memory. Everywhere she turned images rushed forward. The screams of her own memory filled her head, the scents of the past and present consuming her nose. Her body tensed for another scream she didn’t want to release for anything. Then Kane was at her side. Maybe instinct guided him, but he didn’t touch her. Instead a low growl rumbled through the cramped space, not loud, but enough to cut through the screams in her head. The warmth of his body lingered close. “You’re not alone.” *~* Hope you enjoyed it!  Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!! *~*

Sunday Snippets 37 – Masked Hearts

Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors! I’m back with my travelling wild west show story, Masked Hearts. I was surprised (and a little amused) at how many people commented on the chemistry/dynamic between Minnie and Carl…considering Carl is not the hero of the story.  So, to help with that, I thought I might show a little of the hero himself, Roy. This is after the previous scene, when Roy (in character) has charged onstage to ‘rescue’ the ‘fair maiden’ Minnie was made up to look like. The show they’ve just put on takes place in an army camp, so Roy insists on escorting her home for her safety. Minnie is confused and upset by her attraction to the white man that joined their troop some time ago – and his persistence in trying to talk to her doesn’t help. Here she tries to refuse his assistance: “Makes no difference,” Minnie pushed against him, trying to sit of her own volition. “The moment I change out of this costume and show my true self my virtue is in jeopardy; it’s the only thing the Mister cares to protect.” “Well, I’m concerned with protecting everything.” “And I have no need for your concern or protection.” “So you’ve told me.” She shoved aside his arm and jumped off the moving horse. After a brief stumble she righted herself and lifted her chin. “You’re a stubborn woman.” *Creative editing used this week to fit in the 8. *~* If you want more of these wonderful two…pick up a copy! | Amazon | SCP | BN | ARe |  Minnie Woodward lives a lie. After barely surviving the Bear River Massacre she’s lived in the white world of her guardian Mister Rawlins, her life debt keeping her tied there. The last thing she needs is Roy’s attempts to gain her favor. Her fate’s sealed. She’s never believed in hope, and not even Roy can make her start. Roy Ornum saves Minnie every night in the traveling Wild West show. The job he took to break his gambling habit brought him a new addiction – her. He knows she doesn’t want to be rescued, but maybe he does. She’s the key to a past he lost, one he wants to find again. As the two grow closer old wounds are reopened and their burgeoning trust is shattered. When lives hang in the balance of their choices they’ll need to work together. Otherwise everything will be lost before hope can be found. *~* Head back on over to the Weekend Writing Warriors to read many more wonderful offerings!

Secret Cravings Western Romance Blog Hop

Welcome to the Secret Cravings Western Romance Blog Hop! This hop is a great way to meet I’m a sucker for a good Western Romance. Be it historical or contemporary I like a good cowboy. Then again, I also love a good American Indian. Don’t you? I have written them into many of my stories, but it’s in Masked Hearts that they jump to the forefront. After much research, I wrote a story about a survivor of the Bear River Massacre that was adopted into a less than idea life with a dim future, until the past comes back and ends up saving her. Today I’m giving you a chance to win an ebook copy of Masked Hearts and a $5 Amazon Gift Card. Use the rafflecopter options below to enter! Then head back to the Secret Cravings blog to enter more giveaways – including the grand prize of a $25 Amazon Gift Card! *~* a Rafflecopter giveaway *~* | Amazon | SCP | BN | ARe |  Minnie Woodward lives a lie. After barely surviving the Bear River Massacre she’s lived in the white world of her guardian Mister Rawlins, her life debt keeping her tied there. The last thing she needs is Roy’s attempts to gain her favor. Her fate’s sealed. She’s never believed in hope, and not even Roy can make her start. Roy Ornum saves Minnie every night in the traveling Wild West show. The job he took to break his gambling habit brought him a new addiction – her. He knows she doesn’t want to be rescued, but maybe he does. She’s the key to a past he lost, one he wants to find again. As the two grow closer old wounds are reopened and their burgeoning trust is shattered. When lives hang in the balance of their choices they’ll need to work together. Otherwise everything will be lost before hope can be found. *~* Secret Cravings Grand Prize rafflecopter: a Rafflecopter giveaway

SHROUDED IN BLACKNESS by Norma Jeanne Karlsson

Synopsis    Only loyalty can truly win his heart… Gangs, organized crime and underground bare-knuckle fighting make up the world that Kieran Delaney thrives within. His reputation is built on the talent of his fists, as much as his ability to get information about any and everything. Never one to be caught by surprise or bested, Kieran knows what you’re going to do before you do it…until Darcy Quinlan enters his life. She introduces herself with a knife to his throat and a promise of unbridled pain. Darcy’s life has been destroyed by betrayal and false promises of safety. Living on the streets for the last eight years, she’s has been a ghost. Never in one place long enough to be seen because you can’t catch what isn’t there. Now Kieran sees her and can’t erase her image from his mind. Kieran and Darcy must now battle to keep her alive and by his side. As her past enters her life from every angle, Kieran makes certain her safety is no longer a concern, annihilating her demons at every corner. He’ll fight, he’ll maim, he’ll torture and he’ll murder to keep Darcy protected. If Kieran can win, her life will no longer be shrouded in blackness…loyalty will lift the veil. AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE |    ABOUT THE AUTHOR   Blackness Takes Over was Norma Jeanne’s debut novel. What began as an homage to the home town of a homesick Midwestern girl, unfolded a story of love, danger, humor, and trust. Blackness Awaits was the highly anticipated continuation of Blackness Takes Over, leading readers through the twists and turns of the unconventional world in The Blackness Series. Her third novel, Shrouded in Blackness, ventures into a criminal world where violence and vengeance reign supreme. She’s currently working on her untitled fourth novel. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Norma Jeanne recently found herself relocating to the United Kingdom. Now living in Belfast, she took hold of the opportunity to kick the 9-5 job for a chance to become an author. The best part: working from her home office, she gets to spend more time with her cast of crazy characters (written and real). In her free time Norma Jeanne is a voracious reader and consumes books as readily as meals. She is a people watcher by nature and uses her experiences in life, observed or otherwise, to build the worlds and characters that thrive in her books. A believer in the strength of the human spirit, Norma Jeanne writes the stories of people that persevere when all appears to be lost. “Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” –Dylan Thomas WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS a Rafflecopter giveaway –Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter   1 Winner will receive a Swag Pack (Bookmark, Postcard, Sticky Notes, Pen and a Tote Bag, Plus an E-Book ARC) by Norma Jeanne Karlsson.

Tuesday Tales – Father – The Wolf

Welcome back to Tuesday Tales!  This weeks prompt is to be inspired by the word Father. I’m sticking with the next installment of The Tribe series - The Wolf again this week.  To set up the scene ever so briefly without revealing too much, Velli and Kane have made a plan to find out where her ‘boss’ is…which involves using her as live bait. Kane pretty much hates the idea, but doesn’t have a better plan. His nerves are getting on Velli’s nerves so she goes over the plan again…but the conversation eventually takes a turn: She let out a growl very much like her Wolf was near the surface. “Let’s go over it again, then. Best way to Sal is through Chicago. The club there is the slimiest of the lot, and the two guys that run it…” He gritted his teeth at her shudder. “Then it’s not the best way.” “The darkest path is the best one to get where we want to go. Plus, Larry and Carl are sick, but spineless. One of your brutal protection measures and they’ll spill Sal’s location as they piss their pants.” “It’s not fool proof.” “Never said it was.” She drank her beer leisurely. “Anywhere else would be foolish. They’re more organized and careful, like the place you found me at in California.” The mere mention of California had him grabbing for his beer to cool off. Velli’s moves on stage were as impressive as her moves in battle. Worried as he might be at the upcoming plan, he was still an animal. “I’ll go in alone. No point in setting off alarms this early in the game. I’ll do what I can to extract the information without trouble.” She polished off her beer and pushed it across the table where the bottle met his in a quiet clink. “You said Hunters guard the place.” “Yup. Then there’s Bacey. Best bouncer of the lot spends most of his time there, because he can handle the riff raff. He was good to me.” She narrowed her eyes at the curtains. “He never touched me, though he intimated he wanted to. I think it was a rule set down by the boss.” “Sal.” She didn’t answer immediately, and the familiar flicker of confusion creased her features. “You’re not sure Sal is the boss, are you?” “He’s boss Sal.” She bent her knees so her feet sat flat against his thigh. Gaze on the tequila, she fidgeted in her seat. “It’s one of those things again. I just have a sensation that I’m talking about someone else when I say the boss. I can’t explain it.” “Sure you still want to do this?” “Yes. I always knew he wasn’t the biggest man on campus—but he’s high up enough to know where she is. He was there, in California.” She glanced his way. “Fifteen minutes. Promise me you’ll give me fifteen minutes. You’ve seen me battle, you know I can do this.” “Not one minute more.” “If you think this is bad, you’re a pussy.” “It’s never been my mate before.” He frowned at her attempted lightheartedness. “And as for seeing you battle, I have seen it. I often wondered why you didn’t try to be a Warrior. You sure have the skills for it. There aren’t a lot of female Warriors, but they’re there.” “I never had the discipline. Skill isn’t all it takes to become a Warrior. I was never good at following proper behavioral rules and all of that.”  She smirked when he snorted. “As you’ve seen for yourself.” “You’re a spoiled brat and content to be so.” He grinned in relief at her chuckle. “I get that, although you probably still would have made it. A few of the Warriors I met on my last visit were not up to the usual strict standards.” “Our numbers were dwindling. I remember Father and Silver Fox talking in hushed tones about the problem. They were trying to pinpoint when the magic started to falter.” “They felt it, too.” “Of course they did. They were two of the most powerful men in the Tribe.” She shuddered and sat forward to wrap her arms around her legs. “The magic must be growing weaker now with Silver Fox gone.” “Are you sure you don’t want to go see Reed?” “I’m not ready.” At least she didn’t bolt at the suggestion, even though her body tensed. “I’m sorry. It’s selfish.” “It’s not selfish to worry about your child first.” “That’s not all I’m worried about. I’m worried about what he’ll think of me.” “The man couldn’t hate you if he tried. Much as I dislike him—the guy knows you. He hasn’t hated you all these years knowing all about you, he won’t hate you now.” “I’m the reason his father is dead. The reason he has to return to the reservation.” She’d whispered the words, but he’d heard clear as day. After a minute she rubbed her palms along her cheeks and sniffed. “Let’s get our drink on.” “You trying to kill me, woman?” “Healing magic, remember? Alcohol is going to hurt me more than it hurts you.” He could push the matter of Reed, but he decided to pick his battles. In too few hours he’d be sending her to the wolves, he might as well make the next few hours easier. *~* Hope you enjoyed it!  Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!! *~*

Sunday Snippets 36 – Masked Hearts

Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors! I’ve been sharing my contemporary romance for a while, I thought it might be nice to go back in time…to the old west and a travelling wild west show. Masked Hearts is my oft-neglected stand-alone novel, but every time I bring it up I remember why I enjoyed it. In this first 8, Minnie is onstage in their wild west show with another native. In life off-stage they take exception to each others behavior: “You call us a joke?” The fierce warrior brave named Carl snarled in her ear under the speech, taunting her with their familiar argument. He knew onstage was the only time she’d let him close enough for such talk. His foot stomped on her skirt, crushing her bustle and pulling her backward. “At least we don’t act like one of them.” “You do what you need for your whiskey. I do what I must to survive.” She fought the urge to hit him. *No creative editing this week. *~* If you want more of these wonderful two…pick up a copy! | Amazon | SCP | BN | ARe |  Minnie Woodward lives a lie. After barely surviving the Bear River Massacre she’s lived in the white world of her guardian Mister Rawlins, her life debt keeping her tied there. The last thing she needs is Roy’s attempts to gain her favor. Her fate’s sealed. She’s never believed in hope, and not even Roy can make her start. Roy Ornum saves Minnie every night in the traveling Wild West show. The job he took to break his gambling habit brought him a new addiction – her. He knows she doesn’t want to be rescued, but maybe he does. She’s the key to a past he lost, one he wants to find again. As the two grow closer old wounds are reopened and their burgeoning trust is shattered. When lives hang in the balance of their choices they’ll need to work together. Otherwise everything will be lost before hope can be found. *~* Head back on over to the Weekend Writing Warriors to read many more wonderful offerings!