Karpov Kinrade's Blog, page 3

Exclusive fantasy/sci-fi serial for newsletter subscribers!

Excuse me a moment while I shake off the dust from our virtual living room and have a seat. It’s been a while since we’ve been ‘home’ to our KK journal. Would you like some tea or coffee before we begin? Kick off your shoes, it’s okay. We’re all friends here.

That’s better. Now, let’s get down to business. We have some exciting news to share with you. Beginning this Friday, May 8, we will be introducing FANTASY FRIDAYS to our newsletter fans. This means every Friday you will get a serial installment of the new and expanded version of Court of Nightfall, the first book in our fantasy/sci-fi dystopian series, The Nightfall Chronicles, FREE! You will keep getting installments until the book is done. (Please note, this will be an UNEDITED version of the book, and not the final VERY EDITED version that we will publish once it’s complete.)

As many of you might already know, Court of Nightfall has been out since December, and the second book in the series, House of Ravens, launched March 31. So why are we changing up the first book?

First, let us assure you that everything you loved about Court of Nightfall will STILL BE THERE. There’s just going to be SO MUCH MORE of everything. More of the characters you love. More of the rebels and more of the Orders. More Scarlett and more Nightfall and more Jax and Zorin and everyone. There will also be a few new characters, some you might even meet again later in the series.

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When we sat down to write House of Ravens, we had a LOT of ideas. Too many, in fact, to fit into one book. But we realized a few of those ideas would actually fit PERFECTLY into the first book.

So we are adding huge amounts of content to the beginning and end of Court of Nightfall and even adding a bit here and there in the middle. In the end you will have an epic novel full of exciting adventures.

For those of you who have already read House of Ravens, don’t worry! These additions won’t significantly alter Ravens. We might need to make a few tiny tweaks after this rewrite, just to align a few small plots, but nothing major.

For those of you who haven’t started this series, this is the perfect time to begin! Get book 1 FREE through our newsletter serial, before we publish it on Amazon in its entirety.

For those who HAVE read the series to date, you’re going to love this bonus content!

So, sign up for our newsletter if you haven’t, and make sure you click the button that says you’re interested in our fantasy/sci-fi books. (You can also click the others, just make sure THAT one is clicked!) If you’re a current subscriber, this would be a great time to update your subscription. We have other big changes coming in the near future, so make sure you get in on this!

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As an added bonus, each month on the 1st and 15th you will get a newsletter with video updates from us, a fun ‘what we’re reading’ section, and an introduction to some of our favorite urban fantasy authors. Plus on the 15th of each month we will announce the winner of our monthly MYSTERY BOX giveaway, which will have major swag from us and several other authors EACH MONTH. Believe me, you DO NOT want to miss out on all the epic we are putting together for you.

This is EXCLUSIVE to our newsletter members, so please make sure you’re signed up!

The fun starts Friday!

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ABOUT COURT OF NIGHTFALL

USA TODAY bestselling author Karpov Kinrade brings together the excitement and intelligence of The Hunger Games, Ender’s Game, and The Mortal Instruments.You think you know what is right and what is wrong? Then tell me if this man should die. He is my enemy. He is to be my end.He is the one I love.I have spent my life in shades of grey. I have died and returned to a world of color. I have fought an Angel and lived. I have kissed the Prince of Ravens. I have faced the Lord of Night and made him kneel. I was accepted into the Four Orders, and I created the fifth. I freed the Shadow of Rome. I sat upon the Twilight Throne.

The man asks for my surrender. He asks for peace. He is too late. The girl he knew is gone, and death is in her place. I am Nightfall, and this is my story. You think you know it?

Think again.

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House of Ravens Available Now! #superherofantasy

We’re excited to announce that House of Ravens is now available.

If you’re a fan of fantasy, urban fantasy, superheroes or just love a great story filled with action, adventure, love, betrayal, friendship, secrets and lies, then you’ll enjoy The Nightfall Chronicles.

When we first conceived of this series, we knew it was ‘the one’. The one that we were meant to write. It combines all the things we love to read and imagine–strong characters (including a kick ass female protagonist), themes of abuse of power, moral ambiguity and impossible choices, complicated relationships and so much intrigue. We hope you enjoy!

HOUSE OF RAVENS (Book 2, The Nightfall Chronicles)

USA TODAY bestselling author Karpov Kinrade defied genre convention with Court of Nightfall. Now, they continue the epic saga of Scarlett Night, a rebel torn between two identities, in House of Ravens.

You think you know the path to victory? Then tell me how you’ll win.

Will you buy triumph with gold and favors? Will you marshal armies and trade in blood? Or will you be the hand in the dark, your fingers on the strings? Whatever you decide, know this. If you put the innocent at risk…

You will answer to me.

I am the keeper of secrets and the teller of lies. I am the shadow of death and the bringer of light. I will become a Knight of the First.

And the Orders will crumble.

Get House of Ravens now!

If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Court of Nightfall, start the epic saga here.  It’s on sale for just 99cents for a limited time, so grab it now!

***Join us on Facebook and sign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive giveaways and more exciting books***

Happy reading!

The final book in the Seduced Saga, Seduced by Darkness, is here! (And how you can enter to win the whole series!)

Wow, we can’t believe it’s over. Seduced by Darkness, the final book in The Seduced Saga, is live on Amazon (CLICK HERE to get your copy!). This series launched our career as full time authors and became our first true bestseller. It’s a little sad to see it end…but it’s also so exciting! It’s the end of a fabulous beginning, with so many other amazing things to come!

Thank you to all of our amazing fans who fell in love with Derek and Rose and all their friends and who made this series so successful. We couldn’t have done it without you! WE LOVE YOU! Make sure you read this final book and tell us what you think!

As a thank you for everything you have done, we’re having a MASSIVE Seduced Giveaway during the month of March for our newsletter subscribers! We’ll be giving away a Seduced Swag Pack, signed copies of ALL FIVE BOOKS, PLUS an adorable, large stuffed wolf (for all you shifter fans out there!). Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter–all subscribers are automatically entered! SIGN UP RIGHT HERE!

Please note, these books must be read in order, and are dependent on each other. 

Forbidden passions.  Deadly secrets.  A love that will stand against it all.

SEDUCED BY INNOCENCE (Book 1)

Rose Wintersong will kill her first love–just as she’s killed others. That is the dark prophecy that has guided her path for years. So she stays hidden with her coven of witches, raised a recluse by her despotic mother, hiding herself, and her powers, from the world.

Until she meets Derek, the sexy martial arts instructor who teaches her more than self-defense.

Derek O’Conner was born into wealth and power as a Druid Shifter whose family protects the wellspring of magic that has made them who they are. But he doesn’t want that responsibility and is on the run from his own destiny when he meets Rose, a shy beauty who doesn’t know her own inner strength.

Neither of them realize they are from opposing families at war, or that their love could destroy everything.

Until it’s too late.

 >> Available exclusively on Amazon (and free through KindleUnlimited!) <<

SEDUCED BY PAIN (Book 2)

There’s a fine line between pain and pleasure, and it’s so very easy to cross.

As Rose Wintersong awakens to her own sexual nature, the darkness growing inside her threatens to consume the man she loves. Each touch puts his very soul at risk. But she thinks she’s found a way to control it. Pain.

Derek O’Conner has always exercised control over his own powers, but being with Rose unleashes the beast within and challenges him to embrace his own wild magic. When they embark on a sexual path that leads them down a deadly road of pain and pleasure, Derek finds he is unable to stay away from the woman whose family has tried to destroy his.

But one night, one touch, could destroy them both and give Rose’s family what they need to end the O’Conner shifter line forever.

 >> Available exclusively on Amazon (and free through KindleUnlimited!) <<

SEDUCED BY POWER (Book 3)

Rose Wintersong thought she could control the dark power she was born with.

She was wrong.

Now, the man she loves is trapped in a hell dimension and she will risk everything to save him. But what awaits her in hell is more than she imagined, as deadly secrets from her past come forth to claim her.

Caught between love and duty, between the past and the future, Rose must find the strength to become something more. Her metamorphosis is the only way to save her lover and his clan of Druid Shifters–and the only way to stop an unbeatable new evil from being unleashed into the world.

 >> Available exclusively on Amazon (and free through KindleUnlimited!) <<

 

 

SEDUCED BY LIES (Book 4)

Everyone has secrets. Some secrets are more deadly than others.

Rose Wintersong and her friends have gone through hell and back to protect those they love. Now that life in their lush forest safehouse has returned to normal, she thinks the worst is over.

She’s wrong.

A new evil is brewing in the darkness, something that threatens everyone she loves, including her new husband and his pack of shifters. When one of their best friends is nearly killed by a beast that hunts like a wolf, Rose and Derek embark on a journey to Rome to see his attacker avenged.

But secrets have a way of poisoning those we love the most. A truth Rose finds out the hard way.

 >> Available exclusively on Amazon (and free through KindleUnlimited!) <<

SEDUCED BY DARKNESS (Book 5) 

Drake Davis has had and lost more para-powers than most people could ever dream of.

But that’s nothing compared to the changes he’s experiencing as a Nephilim–a being part human and part angel with a lust for blood.

He’ll do anything to protect his wife and child from whatever darkness is hunting them… but can he protect them from the new darkness growing within?

 >> Available exclusively on Amazon (and free through KindleUnlimited!) <<

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add all the books in the Seduced Saga to your Goodreads to-read list!

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HITCHED is $0.99! Get your copy and enter our massive giveaway!

Have you read the books in our schemxy romcom series, Hitched and Whipped? If not, now’s your chance! Hitched is $0.99 through Wednesday 2/25 (and is featured on BookBub today!), and you can pick up Whipped  for just $2.99! Go get your sexiness on, and make sure to enter our massive Hitched/Whipped Giveaway below!
About Hitched

Disjointed images from the night before, the night I can’t entirely remember, float into my mind. Meeting him in the bar. Sharing tidbits of our lives. I own a company that plans bachelor parties. He’s a pediatric heart surgeon. We both live in Las Vegas, but we come from very different worlds. And then I remember that kiss. The way his lips brushed against mine, gentle at first, then harder, deeper, with more urgency. Sex in the elevator. Hot, forbidden, delicious. I remember the way he made me feel. The way our bodies fit perfectly together. But I don’t remember marrying him. And now, he won’t let me go. Dr. Sexy who saves children for a living. He wants the summer to prove we are meant to be.

I can give him a summer. But can I give him a lifetime?

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas… or it changes your life forever.

*This is a sexy contemporary romance novel with a happily ever after. It does NOT have a cliff-hanger ending. WARNING: This book contains a lot of sex and a lot of swearing.

Click below to get Hitched on

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Add it on Goodreads
About Whipped (Book #2)

Vi: If you can’t sell a dildo in Vegas, you’re doing it wrong. That’s why I opened Whipped–a sex toy store. Because sex and Sin City go together like… well, like sex and Sin City.

I’ve seen everything–and I mean EVERYTHING–which is why the guy who comes in every week with a new flavor of arm candy buying yet another set of sex toys doesn’t surprise me. But when he becomes my new roommate, well…

Lachlan: I’m a male stripper. I’m not ashamed of it–in fact, I fucking love it. I turn girls on five nights a week. With a stare. With a sway of the hips. Then I take them home and fuck their brains out. I live by three rules: No commitments. No falling in love. Only mind-blowing orgasms.

Now I want more.

But Vi isn’t interested in a fuck buddy, and I’ve never been one to stick to a single girl.

They say what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. But when you live here full time… that’s when things really get interesting.

Whipped (Vi’s story) is a sexy, full-length, STANDALONE contemporary romantic comedy. Content Warning: This book contains sex, swearing… and did we mention sex? Lots of sex. And abs. And Australian accents.

Click below to get Whipped on

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win signed copies of HITCHED and WHIPPED!

Want to enter to win signed copies of HITCHED and WHIPPED? Read on to find out what you have to do! 

Take a picture of your ereader or phone (if you read on your phone) with the WHIPPED cover.
Upload it to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (or you can do all three, if you want!).
Tag it with #GetWhipped
Post (make sure to post PUBLICLY if you’re doing it on Facebook, or we won’t be able to see it).

One person will be picked from each platform to win on Sunday, February 8. Good luck!

Aussie abs, feisty redheads, and a whole lot of schmexy: #WHIPPED is here! (+a giveaway!)

It’s here! It’s here! WHIPPED is here!

We’re celebrating and giving stuff away!

 

Vi: If you can’t sell a dildo in Vegas, you’re doing it wrong. That’s why I opened Whipped–a sex toy store. Because sex and Sin City go together like… well, like sex and Sin City.

I’ve seen everything–and I mean EVERYTHING–which is why the guy who comes in every week with a new flavor of arm candy buying yet another set of sex toys doesn’t surprise me. But when he becomes my new roommate, well…

Lachlan: I’m a male stripper. I’m not ashamed of it–in fact, I fucking love it. I turn girls on five nights a week. With a stare. With a sway of the hips. Then I take them home and fuck their brains out. I live by three rules: No commitments. No falling in love. Only mind-blowing orgasms.

Now I want more.

But Vi isn’t interested in a fuck buddy, and I’ve never been one to stick to a single girl.

They say that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. But when you live here full time…

That’s when things really get interesting.

Whipped (Vi’s story) is a sexy, full-length, standalone romance in the Hitched series. These books can be read in any order, but you might also enjoy Hitched, the first book in this series.

Content Warning: This book contains sex, swearing… and did we mention sex? Lots of sex. And abs. And Australian accents.

 Read the first three chapters here!
Get your copy!

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 And don’t forget to sign up for our superfan newsletter to get excerpts, teasers, and access to fabulously sexy giveaways!

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Read chapter 3 of WHIPPED, our *very* sexy romcom coming 2.2.15!

We’ve given you Chapter 1 and Chapter 2…but we know you want more  so here’s Chapter 3 of WHIPPED…just TWO MORE DAYS! Enjoy!

* * * * *

CHAPTER THREE

Vi

I stare at the wad of money sitting on my dresser. What the hell did I just do? I wanted a nice, respectful, quiet roommate. Someone who wouldn’t intrude on my life too much. Not the womanizing ass who frequents my sex shop.

I count the money again, just to make sure it’s real. It is. And this pile of cash is the answer to my question. At least it’s temporary. He’ll only be here a few months, just long enough for Zoe and me to get our shop in the green and to recover from our initial investment. How bad can it be?

Famous last words, right?

But I ignore my own trepidation and grab the cash before it disappears. He paid more than twice what I asked, and all up front. My landlord will be happy.

I shove rent money into an envelope and pen a quick note, then sneak out of my condo to stick it into the mail slot next door. At least now I can start entering and exiting my house without fear of confrontation.

I check the time on my cell and grab my purse. I’ll have just long enough to get to the bank and keep my utilities on, if I hurry. With a last glance at my unusually clean condo I lock up and head out.

On the drive to the bank I consider what it will mean to have a roommate. I haven’t lived with anyone since I moved out of my parents’ house—aside from a very brief stint with Chad, which obviously didn’t end well. Even in college I scored a private dorm room. As an only child, it suited me. I guess I was going to have to learn to share my toys.

This ought to be interesting.

I make the bank just in time to get cashier’s checks drawn up and taken in person to three different buildings to keep my life from being shut off.

And I still have money left. I feel like splurging but resist the urge. Instead, I set my course for home, ready to curl up with a good book and glass of wine, when my phone rings.

“Vi, hey, I need a huge favor.”

“What’s up, Zoe?”

“The vendor delivering our new shipment of dildos just got to the store, and I know it’s my night to do receiving but Henry and I are in the middle of another… discussion, and I can’t leave now. Can you cover for me? I’ll close for you for a week if you do. Pretty please with cherries and extra rich whipped cream?”

I can’t help but laugh, even though I feel bad for her right now and have to bite my tongue to keep from telling her to leave the ass she’s with. He so does not deserve her. “Sure, I got you covered, no problem.”

I hear Henry in the background… crying. God.

She sighs. “I gotta go. …Wait, oh shit, how did things go with the roomie? You all set?”

“Girlfriend, you are not going to believe what went down tonight.”

Henry calls out to Zoe, a sound of desperation through tears and snot. She sighs again. “You’ve got me intrigued. I can’t wait to hear every detail,” she says, adding, “tomorrow?”

“Sure, tomorrow. I hope things settle down for you. If you need me, I’m here.” I hang up, turn my car around and drive to Whipped.

The delivery guy is waiting there, stacks of boxes by his feet, when I arrive. I smile big and thank him for his patience.

“No worries. Where do you want them?” The guy is actually pretty sexy. A cross between a younger Brad Pitt and a current Channing Tatum.

I unlock the store and direct him toward the back, where we keep our inventory. “Could you stack them here?”

I can’t help but put an extra sway to my hips as I walk, and I see him noticing my ass, which pleases me.

And I know he sees me noticing his bulging muscles under his FedEx uniform. Suddenly, I feel like I’m in a porn, and I can’t help but laugh as I concoct a reason to keep him here longer.

“Can I get you something to drink before you go? We have some bottled water in back.”

He grins and his chipped front tooth makes him even sexier. The tousled dark hair and bedroom eyes don’t hurt either. Am I seriously thinking of seducing the FedEx guy in my own fucking store? I’ve clearly lost my mind.

“Thank you, that would be nice.”

I get the water for him and he drinks the bottle quickly.

As we stand there, the silence stretches awkwardly as the sexual tension builds. But neither of us makes a move. Normally, this would be my time to come in as Dom and manage the situation, but… I don’t. It just doesn’t feel right. Instead, I thank him again for waiting and he leaves, a slight frown of disappointment on his lips.

I do a quick check of the shipment, confirming we do indeed have ten boxes of a variety of dildos and sex toys and, in a moment of abandon, I grab a dildo from the top of the box, drop $40 in the cash register and head home.

What? It’s product testing.

***

When I arrive home, it’s late, and I’m ready for bed. I have to get to the store extra early tomorrow to set up the new dildos before we open, and I need a solid eight hours of sleep to function adequately. Always have. I consider it a DNA flaw inherited from my mother.

I’ve all but forgotten about my new roommate as I turn off my light and lay down, my bed embracing me in luxury. I’m falling into sleep when something knocks against my bedroom wall and someone moans.

And for the next several hours I endure a cacophony of “oh my God” and “you’re so huge” and “fuck me harder” and “deeper, oh yes, God!” as Lachlan’s bed bangs against my wall. Great.

So much for easing in to a having a roommate.

I rummage through my bedside dresser for my earplugs and shove them in my ears, but it doesn’t completely block out the sound. I toss and turn all night, with dreams too strange to speak of, and wake with one need. Coffee, with lots of sugar and milk.

In sweats and a robe, I shuffle to the kitchen before my eyes have fully opened. Which is probably for the best. Because there’s a nearly naked woman in a g-string standing in front of my open refrigerator. Drinking out of my milk jug.

She smiles when she sees me, her platinum hair artfully styled in the ‘just fucked but still sexy’ look. “Morning. Hope we didn’t keep you up.”

I don’t even know what to say. I just stand there, looking like one of those cartoon characters with my jaw dropped. She holds out the milk, then frowns into it. “Oops, sorry, I think I drank the last of it. I’m Jessie, by the way. Sorry if we were too loud last night, but God, you know how Lach is.” Jessie. The one from the store.

I push past her and reach for the coffee pot, until I realize there’s no milk and I nearly cry. “Um, no, I don’t know what he’s like. We’re not sleeping together.”

“Seriously? Wow. I just assumed. I mean, you two live together. How could you not? He’s like a god in bed… I mean, I’ve been with lots of guys and he’s… oh wow. You’re missing out.”

She shoves the empty milk jug back into the fridge and closes the door, then turns, her perky breasts now staring at me. “If you ever want in, maybe the three of us could…”

“Thank you, but no.” Please God, save me from this morning.

As if in answer, Lachlan walks out in jeans and no shirt and for a moment I can see why Jesse assumes all women who glance upon this man’s flesh end up fucking him. Because a little part of me…

No. Just stop it, Vi. Not going there.

Lachlan smiles lazily. “Good morning, ladies.” His accent is stronger in the morning it seems. “I see you’ve met. Jessie, why don’t you go get dressed and pack up. It’s time to go.”

She practically skips out of the room. “Sure thing, baby.”

I open the fridge, pull out the milk and dump it in the trash, my desperation for coffee and lack of sleep making me unusually angry.

“Sorry about her.” He rubs his head and fills a glass of water, downing it in one gulp.

I spin on him and try not to look at his tanned abs of steel, his chiseled chest, his sculpted biceps… but looking at his face doesn’t help as much as I’d hoped. He’s so goddamned gorgeous. “Look, I know you live here and this is your home too, for the time being, so obviously you are free to have houseguests. But please make sure your… friends… stay out of my stuff and respect proper social rules, like not walking around my condo naked. Okay?”

He grins, his blue eyes mischievous. “That seems reasonable. It won’t happen again.”

“Great.” I slam the refrigerator closed, unable to find anything that contains enough sugar, caffeine and dairy to assuage me. “I have to get coffee and go to work. Make sure your friend is gone before you leave. And lock up.”

I dress quickly and head out without running into either of them again, but as I acquire my morning nectar and start to settle down, I can’t help but wonder… just what is it about Lachlan Pierce that makes him a god in bed?

* * * * *

And that’s all you get! If you want more WHIPPED, you’ll have to wait til it shows up on your e-reader on Monday! Here are the links where you can preorder WHIPPED and make sure you get it the second it’s live:

Amazon | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Add it your Goodreads list, too!

The chemisty between these two is sizzling. We can’t wait for you to meet them!

Read chapter 2 of WHIPPED, our *very* sexy romcom coming 2.2.15!

You read Chapter 1 yesterday…but we clearly couldn’t leave you wondering what happened, so here’s Chapter 2 of WHIPPED…just three days til launch! Enjoy!

* * * * *

CHAPTER TWO

Lachlan

A thick wad will get you about anything. A thick wad of cash, that is. “Four months rent upfront. After that, I’ll have my house, and you don’t have to see me again. Except at your store.”

I throw Vi the roll of bills, and she catches it. We’ve made the introductions. We now know names, but I can tell she’s shocked to see me here. A part of me can’t believe she’s the girl I’ve been emailing and the shop owner I’ve been flirting with. Her eyes are wide and green and beautiful, and I can’t pull my gaze from them.

She stuffs the bills somewhere… probably her pocket. I keep watching her eyes. They make me forget about the five grand. Almost. A few days ago, I wouldn’t think twice about that sum. But I’m changing careers. The new one’s more important, but less profitable. Non-profitable, really. Darrel calls it charity work.

Vi grits her teeth. She must be struggling with the decision to rent. I realize the fact that I’ve been flirting with her may not work in my favor. That’s why I made my offer. Come on, wad of cash… come on…

She chews on her lip, pauses, then relaxes and smiles. “Deal. When do you want to move in?”

I want to say now, but she still looks shocked, so I say, “I’m ready when you are.”

“I’m good whenever. Let me show you around.”

The place is bigger than it looks from outside, and has a comfortable and roomy living room that opens to the kitchen and dining area. There’s a giant red couch that takes up most of one wall, with a coffee table, an overstuffed chair and ottoman and a standing lamp behind it for reading.

On the kitchen table is one of those bazillion-piece puzzles with an abstract image that looks impossible to put together. She’s got most of it done. “You like puzzles?”

She nods. “They relax me.”

I look again at it and laugh. Because that shit does not look relaxing.

She leads me through a small hallway. “There’s a bathroom on the right that we’ll share. And this is your room.” She opens the door to the left and I walk in.

It’s a small room. The bed’s a twin. There’s an empty bookshelf that goes up to the ceiling and an empty dresser that goes up to my knees. It’ll take some getting used to.

I drop my backpack on the floor and slide it under the bed with my foot. “I’ve got some stuff to do, but I’ll be back tonight.”

“Sure.” She holds up a finger. “But, first, some rules.”

“Rules?”

“Yes. No going into my room without my permission. No sitting on the right side of the couch. That side’s mine. And no flirting with me.”

I chuckle. “Sorry, but no flirting goes against my core beliefs.”

“Fine, then no hooking up.”

“Sorry, but—”

“No. No hooking up. If we hook up, we might break up. I’m not living with an ex.”

“How about a fuckbuddy?”

She pauses, rubbing her chin. “No.”

Her resistance intrigues me. It’s not what I’m used to. It’s fun. “Fine. I won’t hook up with you. But what you decide to do—well, that’s up to you.”

She mocks laughter. “Ha. Ha. Don’t worry. I can resist your sexy pants.”

I wink. “But not what’s in them. Trust me.”

She blushes, then grits her teeth. Her body must be betraying her. I like having this effect. She holds her hand out. “So, do you accept the rules?”

I shake it firmly, and the blush returns to her cheeks. Women love a strong handshake. “I accept.”

“Good.” She shimmies out of the room, her jeans tight, and I’m glad “don’t look at my ass” wasn’t one of her rules. When she returns, she passes me a key. I make sure to touch her hand gently as I take it. The moment lasts longer than passing a key should. She shrugs. “Bring your stuff in whenever.”

“Sure. I’ll see you later.” I squeeze by her, letting my palm rest on her back, and walk out of the apartment. I don’t tell her all my stuff was in my backpack.

***

Not all of Vegas is like the Strip. There are places where the doors are falling off their hinges and the windows are full of holes. Places like the one I grew up in. Places like the one Kevin is growing up in now.

“Hey, my man Kev. How you doing?” I walk down his street, carrying a brown bag of food in my hands.

“Hey, Lach. Check this out.” He smiles at me, his dark curly hair a mess, and does an ollie on his skateboard. The board is missing half its paint, and the wheels have fallen off before.

“Nice. Try pulling your knees up even higher.” I step on the board and, still holding the bag of groceries, demonstrate the technique.

“Okay. I can do that.” He tries again, almost going twice as high. “Thank, Lach.”

We grin at each other. Kevin ran into me a few years ago. Then he attempted to run away with my wallet.

I caught him right away, and instead of calling the cops on an eleven-year-old, I found his mother. She worked double shifts, and the father had disappeared long ago. She blamed herself for the boy’s slipping grades and recent criminal endeavors. I told her I wouldn’t press charges, and she told me she’d get the boy straightened out. A week later, I dropped by to see how they were doing and offered them some groceries. A week after that, I dropped by again.

It’s become a habit. I walk up the porch and ring the doorbell. The lock clicks, and Kevin’s mother, Mary, opens the door. Her hair’s all black, recently dyed. She adjusts her glasses and waves me in, a genuine smile on her broad dark face. “You know you can just come in, Lach. Family doesn’t—”

“Family doesn’t knock. I know.”

“And you are family, my boy. Don’t you forget it.” She pulls me into a hug. Her hands are rough and covered in lines. Dark circles hang under her eyes. She’s still searching for the beauty regime that’ll make her look ten years younger. But, the way I see it, she wears the trophies of hard work. She should be proud.

I kick my shoes off by the door and tilt my head at the brown bag at my hands. “These are for you.”

“Oh, thank you, dear.” She grabs the bag from me and drops it on the kitchen counter—a sad excuse for what was once some type of white linoleum but is now more yellowed than anything, but always scrubbed spotless, like everything in Mary’s rundown apartment. Clean, but old and on its last leg. She ruffles through the contents. “Awww. Organic chicken. I told you not to spend the big bucks on us.”

My phone buzzes. A text from Darrel. He’s my manager, soon to be my old manager. I ignore it. “Can I help with dinner?”

“You’ve done enough for us, my boy.”

I pull the bag toward me and pull out the kale and carrots. “You can repay me with the pleasure of your company.”

She shakes her head, smiling. “Let me cut the carrots.”

We divide up the vegetables, and I throw the chicken in the oven. Kevin runs in, skateboard in hand, half-ripped shoes on, his nose tilted up. “What’s cooking?”

Wrong move, kiddo.

Mary turns on him, hands on her hips. “Kevin McAllister. What are the rules of this house?”

His shoulders droop. “No running.”

Mary waves a spatula at him. “And?”

“No shoes inside.” He smiles apologetically and walks back to the door, kicking off his shoes and dropping his board.

Marry lowers the Spatula of Order and Justice and mixes the green onion sauce. “Good job.”

When the dinner is finished, she asks me to eat with them and, after some nagging from Kevin, I agree. The organic chicken with sauce is delicious. The company is even better. Kevin’s math grade went from a C-minus to a B-plus. Mary’s boss finally paid the overtime he owed her. The prick. He manages Bill’s Burgers four blocks away and still insists on high-heeled waitresses. Though Mary barely mentions it, I know her feet hurt every day.

I finish my meal with a sip of green tea—Mary doesn’t keep soda or alcohol in the house—and Kevin asks about my work. “You found a place for the center yet?”

I smile. “You know the Spacey Mall that closed down?”

Kevin smacks his fork down on the table. The excitement in his face reminds me of why I’m changing careers. “Oh man, that place is huge.” He’s right. I examined the location yesterday. It’s one of those malls you could get lost in.

“I could modify it,” I say. “Or maybe even tear it down and start new.”

Mary’s lips are tight. I call it her “holy shit” face, because she never swears. She just makes that face. “That’d be really expensive, wouldn’t it?”

“It would be,” I say. “But it’s worth it.”

“You have enough for that sort of thing?” she asks.

“Not yet.”

Kevin pats her on the arm. “That’s why he’s getting investors, mom.”

“Ah, I see.” She smiles and twirls her chicken with her fork.

“I have a meeting with a few interested parties this week.” If it goes well, I can finally stop counting dollars and start helping people.

My phone buzzes, and I check my texts. Darrel’s asking if we’re still meeting tonight. I text back yes. Might as well get it over with. I say goodbye to Kevin and Mary and jog to my BMW down the street. The sky’s dark, the stars invisible. When I arrive at the Wynn, one of the finest hotels on the Strip, I hesitate at the door. This was my old home. I’d hoped to avoid it for a while.

The hotel greeter, a young man with a skillful fake smile, swings the door open for me, and I, not one to keep people waiting, stride inside. I navigate the tall hallways to the Sinatra Restaurant, barely having to watch my way. “Darrel Fowler is expecting me,” I tell the staff member. He nods and escorts me to a table for two, where Darrel waits with a glass of wine. My hands are slick with sweat. I wipe them on my jeans.

“Lachlan, my friend.” Darrel stands and hugs me. His voice is deep. His smile white and full of teeth. His skin is dark. People are often surprised by his Australian accent.

We sit down, and I order a chicken salad with extra vegetables. Darrel orders a barbecue steak and whispers something to the petite waitress. She giggles and saunters away. Another one-night-stand in the making. I don’t judge. I know the waitress. Her name is Micky, and I had her giggling a few nights ago, too.

“You know I’m not coming back,” I say.

His smile doesn’t falter. “One more year, Lach. One more tour.”

“That’s what you said last tour.”

He sighs, rubbing his bald head. “Because you’re meant to perform. This thing you’re trying to do, this…”

“Youth Center,” I say. I wonder if he forgot, or just couldn’t stand the words. A week ago, I asked him if he wanted to invest. He laughed and patted me on the head.

Darrel nods. “It’s not you, Lach. You’re meant for the stage. And besides, the guys need you.”

“The guys will be fine. They’ve been doing this for years.”

“Not without you.” He frowns. He doesn’t often. Darrel taught me how to dance, meet girls, spend money.

He did more than my father.

I feel my temper rising. I down my glass of ice water, and it cools me down. “I’m done.” I stare into his dark eyes and see the disappointment.

He bows his head. “Two million.”

“What?”

“We’re prepared to offer you two million for the tour.”

I can’t stop myself. I laugh. “I could have used that last year.”

“Last year, I knew you wouldn’t leave.”

Son of a bitch. I imagine punching him, something I haven’t done for years, and it feels good. I want to say, “You can shove that two million up your ass,” but I can’t. I may need it to open the center. To help kids like Kevin.

So instead I say, “I’ll think about it.”

I leave my food half-eaten and pay my bill. Darrel flirts with Micky as I walk out and search for a liquor store. On the way, I scroll through my contacts. I land on Jessie. Good with her mouth. Doesn’t talk a lot. She’s what I need tonight. However, as I pick up a bottle of rum, my mind fixates on images of Vi. But I’m about to sleep with Jessie, so this is… hmm. Strange. The alcohol should fix that.

I grab a second bottle.

* * * * *

Alcohol is an easy fix for a hard problem, Lach…but we’re thinking you might need a little stronger. Like perhaps a hearty dose of feisty redead? Look for Chapter 3 tomorrow…but in the meantime, here are the links where you can preorder WHIPPED:

Amazon | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Add it your Goodreads list, too!

Lach clearly can’t resist Vi. And can you really blame him?  

Read the first chapter of WHIPPED (Hitched #2), our *very* sexy romcom coming 2.2.15!

 

Guess what’s coming on Monday? The second book in our HITCHED series, WHIPPED! And if you read HITCHED and liked it, you will looooooove WHIPPED–because it’s Vi’s story! You know what goes great with fiery redheads? Aussie abs. Yep. (We checked.)

So OF COURSE we want to share the first chapters with you! Chapter 1 is posted below, Chapter 2 will be posted tomorrow, and Chapter 3 will come on Saturday. And then we’ll let everyone know about all the launch day awesomeness on Monday! What a great five days coming up!

And now, without further ado, we present to you…Chapter 1 of WHIPPED! Enjoy!

* * * * *

CHAPTER ONE

Vi

I pull a black 14″ dildo from the box at my feet and place it front and center on the table, moving tubes of lube, a set of handcuffs and an assortment of butt plugs to the side. “I’ve got a feeling we’re going to sell this bad boy today,” I say to Zoe, who’s checking our front window display.

When she laughs it’s like perfectly pitched bells ringing. Like what Tinker Bell might sound like in a mostly full-grown adult body. I say ‘mostly’ because my business partner and friend struggles to hit 5′ even in heels.

She practically skips over, her vibrant purple lips matching her pixie hair, smiling widely. “Looks great. I will be very impressed with the woman—or man—who goes home with that.”

“You and me both!” I check the clock, a red retro thing we found at an estate sale. “Time to open.”

Whipped is our baby. After some minor ennui on my part with my job as a full-time Dominatrix, I realized I was ready for a new challenge, and the timing was perfect for Zoe and me to create an intimate, fun, trendy and educational adult toy store in a town that can never have too much adult fun.

If you can’t sell a dildo in Vegas, you’re doing it wrong.

Our instincts proved true and six months in, business is booming. Unfortunately, stocking a store with the best products isn’t cheap. We both emptied our savings into Whipped, and while we know we’ll eventually break out of the red, we have to eke by until then.

As if reading my mind, Zoe hands me a stack of mail. I shuffle through it, frowning. “More bills. Must our vendors always insist on getting paid? It’s uncharitable,” I say in a mock southern accent, dramatically sweeping my red hair off my shoulder and channeling my best Scarlett O’Hara.

Zoe taps her metallic purple nails on the counter. “It truly is. You’d think having the privilege of selling to sexy, adorable, brilliant women such as ourselves would be enough. What has the world come to?”

I grin and wink at her as I drop the demanding envelopes into a file behind our register. “We’ll figure it out.”

She nods. “I know. In the meantime, how’s the hunt for a roommate coming?”

At the reminder I check my phone and see another email from “Inferno12.” I laugh at a lame joke involving clowns he sent and confirm our meeting for tonight. “I might have found someone,” I say. “I haven’t met him yet, but he seems nice and we get along online. I’ll know by tomorrow, though at this point I’d likely rent to the evil clown from American Horror Story to get Mr. Harris off my back.”

She pats my hand sympathetically. “Another person who insists on being paid what they’re owed?”

I laugh. “It’s outrageous.”

The bell above our door rings and Zoe disappears into the back to finish inventory while I smile warmly at the grandmotherly woman shyly looking around. I give her space and take a moment to gauge what she thinks she’s here for, and what she’s actually here for. There’s usually a difference, even if the customer doesn’t yet know it.

She’s in her 70s, I’d guess, with short, halo-like, white permed hair and a pastel pantsuit paired with a floral blouse. She clutches her beige purse against her stomach like she’s not sure why she came in, but I see her eyes light up as she looks around. I’m guessing she’s either recently widowed and ready to explore her own sexuality, or she’s in a new relationship. She’s mostly looking at our books, but I see her eyes flicker to the center display I just set up.

I walk over to her, my body language relaxed, warm, open. “Hello. I’m Vi, co-owner here. Is there anything I can help you find?”

“Thank you, young lady. I… well, I guess I have some things I want to try while I’m still around and kickin’. And I heard lovely things about your store.”

I send a heartfelt thank you to whoever talked us up as I smile at her. “Are you looking for something for yourself or for you and a partner?” I gently guide her around the store as we talk, gauging how she responds to the different toys, creams, lotions and lingerie on display.

“Just for me. My husband died about a year ago, and I’ve been feeling this… itch? Does that make sense?”

I rest a hand on her arm. “Of course it does. It’s completely natural and healthy to want to express your sexuality and enjoy it.”

Her smile widens. “That’s what I think too,” she says. Then she cups her hand over her mouth and leans in, as if telling me a great secret. “I do think I shocked my Bridge Club when I told them I’d be coming here. But just watch, they’ll be following in my footsteps soon enough, the old birds!”

I couldn’t help but share in her laughter as she relaxed in the knowledge that she would get no judgment from me. She reached for a small vibrator—the Silver Bullet—and held it up. “Maybe this?”

I hold her eyes for a moment. “That’s a good brand, and it works well. But…” I flick my eyes to the 14″ beauty behind her. She turns and looks at it, her eyes widening as I point. “I think that’s what you really want.”

I can see her internal battle as she tries to decide if she should give in to her own cravings. I make it easier, taking both the bullet and the dildo and walking to the counter. “Tell you what,” I propose, still smiling. “Get the dildo, and I’ll throw in the vibrator as a gift. That way, if you don’t like it, you’ll still have something else to try.”

She follows me to the register and stands opposite me, her purse already open, a secret smile on her lips. “I suppose it couldn’t hurt to try.”

I wink at her. “I promise, you won’t regret it.”

As she pays, I place her new toys in a bag with a few of our cards and hand it to her. “It’s been nice talking with you. I threw in some coupons for your Bridge Club, should they be so inclined to follow in your steps.”

I can still hear her laughing as she leaves the shop, the golden bell heralding her departure.

Zoe joins me at the register, a look of awe on her face, not for me, but for the woman who just left our store. “Mad props to her. I hope when I’m her age I’m still that adventurous.”

I look down at my petite partner with affection. “I have no doubt you will be.”

Zoe’s phone beeps and she checks it, then types in a text as she bites her lower lip and furrows her carefully plucked brows.

“Boyfriend trouble again?” I ask, knowing the signs all too well.

She looks up, all the joy sucked from her expression by this one text. “He’s on his ‘no sex until marriage’ kick again. His priest convinced him I’m causing him to sin so now he wants to sleep in separate rooms.”

“It’ll last three days at most,” I say.

“I know. But in the meantime, it sucks. And not just the no sex. But the guilt, the pressure, the way he makes me feel like the whore of Babylon, even though he’s the one who initiated our first time two years ago, and he’s the one who asked me to move in with him. This man is just thoroughly confused.”

“That’s one word for it.” My sarcasm is too thick to hide and she flinches.

“He’s a good man. Kind, nice, respectful. He just has some religious hangups. No one’s perfect.” Her huge blue anime eyes look sad, and I put my arm around her shoulders and side hug her.

“I know he’s not a bad guy. I just want you to be happy, in and out of the bedroom. A guy who has to shower immediately after sex each and every time isn’t going to work long term for a girl who owns a sex toy shop. Especially since he’s still never even been here and insists on telling people you work at the mall.”

I drop my arm and she paces the shop, fixing displays that don’t need fixing. “When you say it like that, it sounds awful.”

That’s because it is awful, but I’ve said enough. Zoe is the sweetest person you’ll ever meet. Not a mean bone in her tiny body. I’m fiercely protective of her, but I often have to remind myself she’s also a grown woman who can make her own choices. Even when it comes to Henry.

“What about you?” she says, oh-so-subtly dodging the conversation about her love life and instead focusing on mine. “It’s been almost a year since your breakup with Chad. Any new men on the horizon?”

“Only the occasional sub I’ve hooked up with at the club,” I say, as I now straighten merchandise that doesn’t need straightening. “But nothing serious. I’m too focused on our business to think about that right now.” I had the perfect guy in Chad: smart, sexy, charming, talented, a committed submissive who enjoyed my Dominatrix side… but once I got everything I always thought I wanted, it didn’t work. And I haven’t been ready for a new commitment since.

When the bell rings, signaling another customer, we both turn with smiles which turn to adolescent giggles when we see who it is. “He’s back!” Zoe says.

He is indeed, in all his ripped glory. The man in question struts through our store with a new blonde on his arm. He’s dressed in jeans that hang at his hips ‘in just that way,’ to lamely quote every romance novel ever written. And that’s all he wears. Seriously, dude never has a fucking shirt on. Not once, and he’s come in at least once a week since we opened. Always with a different girl, always with the jeans and no shirt, always with the cash—and always with the sexy.

Oh, and did I mention he’s Australian? Because he is. Not that it matters. I can’t stand the guy. I don’t care that his abs are made of steel or that he looks like he’s hung like a horse. I blithely ignore his deep tan, perfect white teeth and eyes the shade of the bluest ocean. I won’t even think about his bed-head hair that’s always that flawless mess of dark blond that looks like he’s been running his hands through it.

No, none of that matters. He’s the epitome of player. He’s the reason I’m seriously considering a sign that says “No shirt, no shoes, no service.” Except he spends a lot of money here and we need customers like him, as Zoe reminds me every week.

The Aussie Hottie browses through our displays, picking, as always, the best of everything. The woman with him drapes her body against him as if she might die if they aren’t touching at all times. Without any shame she rubs his cock up and down over his jeans and nibbles on his ear. Worried they might actually have sex in my store at any moment, I smile and walk over to them. “How can I help you today?”

He nods to the girl who giggles and wiggles off to look around. “Oh, just the usual today. Unless you have something new and exciting for me?”

The way he asks that, I feel like he’s hinting at more than just our products, but I ignore the double entendre and shake my head. “Just what you see here. I don’t think we’ve had any new deliveries since your last visit here with…” I cock my head, pretending to forget the other woman’s name, even though I never knew it.

He smiles, a dimple forming on his cheek. “That was Natalie.” He glances at the blonde. “That’s Jessie.”

“You’re a busy man,” I say. I’m not really judging. One of my best friends is a total player, too. Always a different girl. But he’s also up front and honest. I don’t know if this guy is or not.

“It’s a distraction. For me and for them,” he says, his eyes digging into mine as if trying to uncover my secrets.

“Do they know that?”

“Sure they do.” He steps closer, our bodies inches apart. So close I can smell his aftershave. Minty spice. “And they’re open for more than just a one-on-one, if you’re ever interested.”

Not that I haven’t ever experimented with a threesome, but I’ve generally found they’re better in theory than in reality. Still, it’s been awhile since even a casual sexual experience for me, and my body feels the heat of him even as my mind tells me to walk away. Nothing good can come from a man this confident, this clearly used to being in control. Not my type. At. All.

I take his purchases to the register as he pulls out his cash.

“Why new toys every week?” I ask, handing him the bag.

“I may be a coit,” he says, his accent stronger with the slang that I assume is Australian for ‘I sleep with all the women,’ “but I’m not a cheap asshole. And I don’t reuse sex toys with different women. I let them keep whatever we use together.”

A begrudging respect grows for him, but his cockiness still rubs me the wrong way.

He hands me a small stack of gold embossed cards with VIP written on them. “If you and your friend ever want a night out, come by around 10pm Wednesday through Sunday nights and tell them the Aussie Hottie sent you. I’ll make sure you get good seats.”

He winks at me as he walks out the door with his date by his side, and my cheeks flush to what I’m sure is a bright red.

Zoe and I are both quiet until we’re sure he’s out of earshot, then she starts laughing. Hard. Like doubled-over-at-the-waist laughing. “I can’t believe he knows our name for him!”

I can’t help but follow suit and it feels good to laugh so hard your sides hurt. “He’s a cheeky bastard for sure.”

As our breathing comes back and our laughs slow down, Zoe nudges my shoulder. “He’s sexy as sin, Vi. And he’s obvs into you. You should do him.”

I shake my head and shove his note into my pocket. “I am not ‘doing’ the Aussie Hottie. He’s definitely not my type.”

Zoe just grins and returns to inventory.

The rest of the day speeds by as we work with our customers to find them what they want and need. By the end of the day I’m tired, but happy and excited to meet my potential new roommate.

Even more excited when I get another passive-aggressive note from Mr. Harris.

Miss Reynolds,

If it’s not too much to ask, I would greatly appreciate some indication that this month’s rent might perhaps be paid before next month’s rent becomes due. Though owing two months’ rent would save me on paper, as I could just send these notes for both amounts owed at once. Still, if we could avoid further social embarrassment I would certainly be grateful. And I’m sure it would be easier for you to not have to wait quietly behind your door pretending not to be home when I come by to inquire about the money owed.

Sincerely,

Your landlord and neighbor,

Mr. Harris

I glance over at his side of the duplex and see that his car is gone. Good. I hurry over and jot down my response note to leave on his door.

Mr. Harris,

Thank you for your kind note and gentle understanding of my unusual position. As someone who has lived here for several years and always paid her rent on time, I’m sure you can appreciate that this is an unusual circumstance which I’m trying to mitigate in a timely manner. Your patience is always appreciated.

Sincerely,

Miss Reynolds

That done, I slink into my house before he can return. I hate owing money and being late on payments, despite my joking with Zoe. I’ve never been in this position before, but I know I’ll get caught up soon.

My doorbell rings and I check the condo to make sure everything is in its place before going to answer it. I might be meeting my new roommate, which is why my place is unusually clean.

But when I open my door, it isn’t Inferno12 standing there. It’s the Aussie Hottie. This time, though, he’s wearing a shirt.

His blue eyes widen when he sees me, then his face spreads into an entirely too sexy grin. “Well, isn’t this a fine bit of luck!”

* * * * *

Things just got interesting, didn’t they? Look for Chapter 2 tomorrow…but in the meantime, here are the links where you can preorder WHIPPED:

Amazon | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Add it your Goodreads list, too!

And, of course, what kind of heartless beings would we be if we didn’t leave you with a pic of Lachlan Piece, the Aussie Hottie himself? 

Interview with Tess from Anyone? plus a GIVEAWAY!

We have a special treat for you today! Scarlett Night (from Court of Nightfall, book 1 of The Nightfall Chronicles) is hanging out with Tess, star of Anyone? by Angela Scott, and they are exchanging some questions with each other. You can check out our review of Anyone? here, and see what Scarlett had to say to Tess’s questions over at Angela Scott’s blog.

We think you’ll enjoy getting to know Tess better, and we know you’ll love Anyone? Grab your copy wherever books are sold online, or check out the buy links here. And don’t forget to enter our massive giveaway at the end of this post!

Scarlett Night interviews Tess from Anyone?

Tess

Name: Tess

Age: 17

Hi Tess! It’s so nice to meet someone about my age who knows what it’s like to go through some seriously intense stuff. First of all, we both have parents who felt it was critical to build underground bunkers. Looks like they weren’t as crazy as we thought, all things considered.

What was it like growing up with a dad who always wanted you trained and prepared for doomsday scenarios?

Odd. Definitely odd. No one likes to have a parent ridiculed and made fun of, and even though I never once thought any of his doomsday preparation was normal—I mean, what little girl wants a gun for her eleventh birthday instead of an American Girl Doll?—but I did understand where he was coming from. I didn’t have to like it, but because I loved my dad, I let him do what he had to and I defended it every chance I could.

Did you ever get to hang out in your bunker? I was never allowed in mine, even when we had the Nephilim Wars.

I’d never hung out in our bunker. It wasn’t a play thing and my dad was pretty serious about letting us know it. I don’t know if I ever really wanted to hang out inside of it either simply because of what it represented—the loss of my mom. Even though you wouldn’t think of a bunker and your mother’s death being in any way related, they very much were.

Did you ever find out why your dad built yours? I know it happened the night your mom died (I’m really sorry about that, by the way. I feel your pain, honestly.). What about her death made him think a bunker was in order? Any thoughts?

My dad has always been a man’s kind of man—tough, dependable, strong, and determined to do right by his family. He and my mom were very much in love, and for him to be told of her murder just wasn’t something I think my dad could handle. In his mind, he should have been there to stop her death. He couldn’t have—no one could have—but it’s what he thought. Because he couldn’t protect her, he became determined to make sure nothing else would happen to me or my brother. He’d do whatever he had to even if it meant digging up our suburban backyard and building an underground bunker. Which, as it turns out, I’m extremely glad he did. Who knew I’d need it?

You must have been terrified trapped in there alone with your kitten for three months. I’m not sure I could have stayed still that long just waiting. What did you do to keep from going crazy for so long?

Oh, I went crazy plenty of times! I will say that I am really glad I had my cat—yes, she’s a pain in the behind—but without her I don’t think I would have stepped out of that bunker sane at all. It was really hard being in an underground vegetable can for that long. Seriously! I was so bored I actually colored in a coloring book. A coloring book! All you can do to keep from losing your mind is to take it one day at a time. That was all I could do, especially since my imagination got the best of me and made me think that coming out of the bunker might not be such a good idea. Ever hear about zombies? Of course, there were no zombies (thank goodness), but how was I to know that? Imaginations can be evil that way.

When you finally left the bunker, your whole world was turned upside down. Did you have any theories about what happened? Any clues about why? Or how?

I had no clue. My dad dragged me across the yard and shoved in the bunker when my house nearly fell in on itself, so I had maybe… what?… two minutes to take in what was happening before I disappeared underground for three months. I say mushroom-like clouds and flashes of fire in the sky, but beyond that, I had no idea. I just knew that whatever it was it was bad. Real bad.

We both have guys in our lives who are… let’s say, stubborn about returning our affection. I feel ya, sister. I thought I knew Jax, but I didn’t. And it sounds like Cole is his own mystery. What’s your take on him? What do you think he’s hiding? Do you think you’ll see him again?

Cole is a big ol’ pain in my butt! He can be so infuriating! But I also know I couldn’t have survived without him. He saved me when I couldn’t save myself, and I owe him everything. Would I have liked him to return my feelings? Yes… and no. In an apocalypse-type situation, what does age difference have to do with anything, right? We’re going to die, so why not love the one you’re with! But also, it’s an apocalypse-type situation and we can tend to get carried away, so maybe it’s not the best time to start a relationship with a guy who is much older, even if he doesn’t act like the adult he is. Do I love him? Am I in love with him? I don’t know. Do I think I’ll see him again? I don’t know. But I sure do hope so.

As different as we are in some of the ways we respond to high stress situations, I’ve got to say I admire that you saved your kitten and protected her through all this. Did you ever wonder if it would be easier to survive without a kitten to take care of? What motivated you to work so hard to keep her safe and alive?

As big of pain in the butt as Cole was, Callie was ten times worse! Would it have been easier leaving her behind? HECK YEAH! And believe me, there were times I wondered if I had made a mistake, but if I didn’t have her, I’m pretty certain I wouldn’t have lasted long on my own. She was all in the world I had left—my only family—and I needed her, even if she could have done without me (she seemed to let me know this all the time…cats, right). Would I grab her again if given the choice? I would. I would do it every time.

I know everyone who has read Anyone? Is wondering this, so I’m just going to ask… will we get to find out more about what happened and what’s going to happen? Can you give us any hints about what’s really going on with your world?

Well, I haven’t really found my place in this new world yet, and even though I have an idea of what happened to cause so much destruction, there is still so much I just don’t know. I really suck at this whole survivor thing (totally, unlike you Scarlett), and as much as I hate to admit it, I’m thinking I still have a whole lot of surviving still left to do, unfortunately. I shudder at the thought, but where there is a will there is a way—a certain someone keeps telling me that—and as long as I have my bracelet to remind me of this, then I guess what other choice do I have.

I just hope I don’t have to do it alone.

Check out ANYONE? on

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