Taryn Kincaid: 2015

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

IMPORTANT: Hello...and Goodbye...for Now...

I've been pondering how to write this. There's really no good way. But I think I owe it to readers. So here it is:

As readers, and often as writers, we forget that publishing is a business. I don't read to be immersed in business affairs and it's sure not the reason I write. I have another daytime career, as most of you know. Reading and writing for me are forms of escape: Inventing and entering other worlds, so that the weight of the real world never becomes too crushing. It's my let-off-steam valve.

Which is why I've never, to date, delved into the increasingly popular world of self-publishing. I've never wanted all those headaches, frankly. I have enough trouble keeping my regular day-to-day life organized, without taking on other responsibilities and obligations. I never was and likely never will be created in the bean-counting mode. And, lucky me, I've been blessed, as an author, to have landed with great (for me) publishers (for the most part), who take care of all that sort of thing and leave me free to indulge in those aspects of the business I actually like.

But publishing is a business. I got a jarring reminder of that this week.

As most of you know, HER CAPTAIN was just released by Fated Desires Publishing on December 15. For weeks and months, I've been promoting the book, one of the best I've written in my opinion, so I wanted it to do well. I did guest blogs, I hired a blog tour company, I appeared all over social media until most of social media was sick of hearing from me, I ordered swag, including some coffee mugs and a stack of postcards to sign at the upcoming Wild Wicked Weekend con in San Antonio in February.

Then, less than two weeks after HER CAPTAIN was released, I received word from Fated Desires that all FD books are coming off the shelves by the end of next month. FD is folding up its tent and riding off into the long goodnight. I wish the owners, Carrie Ann Ryan and Lia Davis, the very best. Sorry they couldn't make a go of it, for whatever reasons.

I have two books there. IF YOU CAN'T STAND THE HEAT and HER CAPTAIN.

This is an especially tough situation for HER CAPTAIN, since it just came out.

Both books will eventually find new homes. I know this already, but can't divulge anything yet. And besides, there are no details yet to divulge. When I can address that, believe me, I will.

The transition won't be seamless for me. I expect many, if not most of the other FD authors will self-publish right away, same cover and brand and all. Many of those authors have dipped their toes into the self-pub waters already. But I haven't and I won't. So for IF YOU CAN'T STAND THE HEAT and HER CAPTAIN there will be new editing. New covers. And a chunk of time when they'll be off the shelves.

That's all well and good for IF YOU CAN'T STAND THE HEAT, which released earlier in 2015, but it's going to be a little bit more messy for HER CAPTAIN, since I still have some promo obligations coming up...such as a January/February ad in BTSeMagazine. That's right, I'll be running an ad and talking about a book, that may very well not be available any place at that time.

So I find myself in the weird position of saying...if you've put HER CAPTAIN on your wish list or your TBR list or your Want to Read list...GET IT NOW. Because in a few weeks, it will be no more.

(At least temporarily).

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

HER CAPTAIN!

RELEASE DAY!

HER CAPTAIN

Friday, December 11, 2015

Merryn Dexter's A MATE'S HEALING TOUCH

A Mate’s Healing Touch

a Black Hills Wolves story

Merryn Dexter

Releasing December 11^th 2015

She has a secret the wrong people know

Hannah Fuentes has graduated Magna Cum Laude from the School of Hard Knocks. Beaten, pregnant and betrayed at seventeen, she has slowly built a life for herself and her daughter Jessie in the small town of Hennessey, South Dakota.

He faces a future he doesn’t want

Caleb Burrows is leaving town. His parents long to return to Los Lobos and pack life, lured by the promise of change under the new Alpha, Drew Tao. The most vivid memories that Caleb and his twin siblings have of pack life are ones of betrayal, pain and horror. They do not remember a time when the pack was at peace.

A chance meeting

Caleb has one final job to complete for the family construction business – the refurbishment of the local diner in Hennessey. He gets more than he bargained for, however. One look, one scent tells him that Hannah, the 'pocket rocket' waitress, is his mate. Caleb is determined that nothing will stop him from claiming her as his own.

The first touch

An explosive encounter lays bare the secrets they have both fought so hard to keep hidden. Caleb must prove he can protect Hannah and her adorable little girl who steals his heart with one look. Can he persuade her to give up the safe life she has worked so hard for? Her burgeoning relationship with Caleb shows there are untold wonders to be explored in the hands of a man who understands her true worth.

The past will test them

When Hannah’s past rears its ugly head, they must face it side by side. Only united can they save what is most precious to them. Together they will learn that family comes in many guises and there is nothing they won’t sacrifice when one of their own is threatened.

Buy Links Amazon | ARe | Kobo | iBooks

About the Author

Merryn Dexter is a military spouse who, after a varied employment career (from selling sandals to old ladies with bunions to being a health and safety coordinator for a construction company), is thrilled to be pursuing her dream career as a romance writer. She likes The Winchesters, Spike, Hotch, Loki and watching complicated European Noir. Her hobbies include crying at books, crying at movies, crying at tv serials (there’s a theme!) and believes all stories should have a Happy Ending.

Contact links

Excerpt

“Whatever you are thinking, son. She’s not for you.” Although low, his tone was determined and forceful.

“I’m not thinking anyth….” The lie fell away as the words soured on his tongue. A change of tack was in order, and he folded his arms across his thick chest. Body language displays were as effective on humans sometimes. “Why wouldn’t she be for me? I don’t see a ring. Is there a husband or a boyfriend?”

When Will shook his head, a flash of anger surged, and Caleb didn’t fight it.

“You think I’m not good enough for your girl, is that it? That I’m some working stiff, only good with his hands. I run the business with my father and my brother. I have prospects, money, a good future any woman would be pleased to share with me.” Snapping his mouth shut, he cut off the embarrassing need to sell his worth to this man. What the hell is wrong with me? That raspberry-and-pepper scent overwhelmed him as she crossed toward the counter. Hannah. He rolled her name around in his head. It suited her.

“No I don’t think you’re good enough for her, but that’s not the goddamn point,” Will snapped before he rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “Look, Caleb, I’m sure you are a fine young man, and your daddy has a real good reputation with his business. But that girl has been hurt enough to last a lifetime, so I don’t want you messing with her because she’s caught your fancy.”

Caleb stepped back as Will moved in front of him and stepped toward the counter. His hackles rose at the invasion of his space and the clear challenge in the move before he clamped down hard on his instincts. A man had every right to defend his daughter from a relative stranger. The Wolf snarled and snapped in his head, and Caleb gave it a mental swat on the nose. He was the boss, not the Wolf.

The sweet affection she bestowed on Will had him longing for her to turn his way. When she met his gaze, however, only trepidation lit hers. Unable to tear his attention away, he was rewarded with a brief flare as her pupils expanded. She feels it, too. Regardless of what Will said, this woman is most definitely mine. Now to figure out how to get her on the same page or, better still, in the same bed.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

HER CAPTAIN Tour continues!

HER CAPTAIN is on tour with Goddess Fish Promotions! It's a big schedule with giveaways, so please stop by and visit the hostesses for a chance to win! (You can stop by dates you've missed and still leave comments!)

Guest posts, reviews of HER CAPTAIN and interviews with yours truly, in which I divulge all those deep, dark secrets you always wanted to know about me! (Sort of.)

The schedule's below!

November 23: Christine Young
November 23: Long and Short Reviews
November 24: Jbiggarblog
November 25: Where the Story Comes First
November 25: Room With Books
November 27: BooksChatter
November 30: Blog of author Jacey Holbrand
December 1: The Reading Addict
December 2: Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess
December 3: Read Your Writes Book Reviews
December 3: Underneath the Covers
December 4: Romance Novel Giveaways
December 7: Wendi Zwaduk ~ Romance to Make Your Heart Race
December 8: Musings and Ramblings
December 8: Dawn's Reading Nook
December 9: Dena Garson - Real... Hot... Romance
December 10: Unabridged Andra's
December 11: Queen of the Night Reviews

Releasing December 15. Available for Pre-Order Now!

#Amazon : http://amzn.to/1FF3Er8

#iTunes: http://apple.co/1IIsTGU

#Google: http://bit.ly/1MoTeOq
‪#‎Kobo: http://bit.ly/1TsHSwV

#Nook: http://bit.ly/1FxbYsW

#ARe: http://bit.ly/1MlhhMx

Friday, December 4, 2015

Heather Long's WOLF IN WINTER CLOTHING

WOLF IN WINTER CLOTHING

By Heather Long

a Black Hills Wolves story

Releasing December 4, 2015

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CBhzaG61Lc

BLURB:

Roland James waited a long time to return to the Black Hills. After Seth, his best friend, left—was driven away—and Seth’s family vanished in the night, he had no reason to stay. Only one purpose remained for him—to build his strength and his skills until he could kill the men responsible for their loss. When word reaches him about Magnum’s demise and Drew’s ascension, he rushes home. Though Drew welcomes him and the town seems to be thriving with a Winter Solstice Run in the offing, Roland can’t celebrate. Not all of his enemies are dead. One—the worst—still lives.

Professor Claudia Donovan has spent a great deal of time and effort to locate one of her colleagues. Then she receives an odd message telling her to meet someone about the woman she’s been trying to find in the middle of nowhere in South Dakota. Taking the first flight and renting a car, she waits at the designated spot. A chance meeting and an even riskier hookup for her TA leaves her with more questions than answers. When she ends up in Los Lobos no one wants to answer her questions.

The last thing Roland expects when he lures the human to the Black Hills is to delight in her scent, her temper, and her cutting tongue. He needs the pawn to distract Ryker because the Enforcer has a weakness. Take away his mate, and Roland can kill him once and for all. Maybe his plan makes Roland the bad guy, but he can live with that. The only problem he has is his need for revenge may cost him Claudia….

Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | ARe

About the Author:

Heather Long

National bestselling author, Heather Long, likes long walks in the park, science fiction, superheroes, Marines, and men who aren’t douche bags. Her books are filled with heroes and heroines tangled in romance as hot as Texas summertime. From paranormal historical westerns to contemporary military romance, Heather might switch genres, but one thing is true in all of her stories—her characters drive the books. When she’s not wrangling her menagerie of animals, she devotes her time to family and friends she considers family. She believes if you like your heroes so real you could lick the grit off their chest, and your heroines so likable, you’re sure you’ve been friends with women just like them, you’ll enjoy her worlds as much as she does.

Contact Details:

Website: http://www.heatherlong.net

Email: heather@heatherlong.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HeatherLongAuthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/HVLong

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/iKxQ5

Excerpt of Wolf in Winter Clothing:

Her hands trembled as she pulled a cigarette out and turned away from the wind to get it lit. She was alone standing outside the little coffee shop, huddled as close to the wall as she could. Why the hell did I just decide to fly to the middle of nowhere? Have I lost my damn mind?

Or was she desperate for her last real connection? Shoshanna was great, a fantastic student, a brilliant protégé, and a girl with a bright future, but she wasn’t Saja. Saja had been more than her—

A truck door slammed across the street, and she glanced at the man striding across the winter-slicked road toward the coffee shop. Tall with dark hair, which he wore long and tied into a loose tail at the nape of his neck, he reminded her of a mountain man—except he wore a dress shirt, open suede jacket, and jeans. The mountain-man look from Giorgio. It will be all the rage this season.

His beard, though—damn. She had a thing for bearded men, and he wore his so well. Snow flurries populated the air, and flakes clung to his beard and hair, adding to his rugged appearance. How the hell did he walk so calm and collected through the frigid cold? It didn’t even seem to touch him.

He glanced toward her, and she sucked in a drag off the cigarette even as she jerked her attention away. Staring was rude. Still, she couldn’t help sliding a sideways peek when his booted foot hit the pavement in front of the coffee shop. Her hand trembled when he opened the door and disappeared into the shop. Exhaling the cold with the smoke, she glanced inside. Shoshanna continued to read papers, and a fresh cup of coffee sat waiting for Claudia, along with the untouched second burger.

Mr. GQ Mountain Man took a seat at the counter and raked his fingers through his hair, loosening the tie at his nape. Some of his hair escaped, but the tousled look suited him. The man was the whole package, and he looked damn good from the rear. Nearly as good as he had from the front. The icy air didn’t do a damn thing for the heat unfurling in her blood or the lust coiling in her belly.

After finishing her smoke, she extinguished it and seriously considered a second one. Maybe if she froze to death outside, she wouldn’t go inside and make an idiot out of herself. No sooner did the thought take root than she dismissed it. She’d come for Saja, not to get laid. South Dakota might grow them pretty, but she belonged back in New York.

Find Saja.

Go home.

No getting laid.

A shudder rolled down her spine, whether from the cold or hot stuff with the beard, she had no idea. Squaring her shoulders, she pulled the door open and charged inside. Priorities.

Yeah, the mental lecture didn’t do a damn thing for her libido. Dear Santa, can I have a hot guy for Christmas? Laughter welled upward, and she chuckled. Shoshanna gave her an owlish blink. Of course, when the idea of writing Santa sounded more sane than hitting on a gorgeous stranger, maybe she had cracked.

Friday, November 20, 2015

Louisa Bacio's WINTER SOLSTICE MENAGE

Winter Solstice Ménage

by Louisa Bacio

A Black Hills Wolves story

Join the Black Hills Wolves as they celebrate a year of good fortune, love and rebuilding since Drew became Alpha with authors Melissa Limoges, TL Reeve, Louisa Bacio and series creators Rebecca Royce and Heather Long.

Sugar isn’t as sweet as her big brother, Yas, believes. After he leaves the big city to venture a small pack in the hills he’s heard about from their mom, she decides to let loose in all the best ways. Except when all hell breaks loose and she’s faced with some tough decisions, she runs … to her family.

After growing up in Los Lobos, twins Derek and Tyler Baker lived through all the hardships under the former Alpha leader. While one twin is happy playing the dating field, the other wants something more special. They both find what they’re looking for when newcomer Sugar comes for a visit.

Where Sugar goes, trouble follows. It’ll take more than one member of this pack to tame the new shifter she-wolf. But will the Winter Solstice Ménage be enough to convince her to settle down?

Available via Amazon, ARe, iBooks, Kobo.

About the Author:
A Southern California native, Louisa Bacio can’t imagine living far away from the ocean. The multi-published author of erotic romance enjoys writing within all realms – from short stories to full-length novels.Bacio shares her household with a supportive husband, two daughters growing “too fast,” and a multitude pet craziness: Two dogs, five fish tanks, an aviary, hamsters, rabbits and hermit crabs. In her other life, she teaches college classes in English, journalism and popular culture.

Contact Details:
Website http://www.louisabacio.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/louisabacio
https://www.facebook.com/Louisabacioauthor/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/louisabacio

Excerpt:

Towel in hand, Sugar snuck down the stairs as quietly as possible. As expected, the love-Wolves had excused themselves to bed early. The only people who turned in by nine either worked super early, were old, or planned some private extracurricular activities.

Once outside, she opened her senses and took in the solitude of being so far out in nature. Without the conflicting sensory information, everything from the stars shining above to the slight breeze took on another dimension. Growing up in the city, she never realized how much she’d been missing. She headed to the hangout spot, following the directions Tala had grudgingly given her earlier, along with the advice to “be careful.”

Despite being a little bit reserved at first, her new “sis” seemed pretty cool, especially when playing go-between with Yas. If left to him, she’d stay in twenty-four/seven.

As she drew closer, she heard a whoop, whoop, whoop of laughter and a huge splash. A rope swung, and, below, a few people swam. She wasn’t feeling quite that adventurous yet and made her way over to another watering hole. She dipped a toe in and sighed at the luxurious heat. A natural hot springs? Here?

Forget the fancy spas; she’d take this spot any day. Before stripping down, she got as close to the hot spring as possible, and made a mental plan of attack. For the briefest of moments, she’d be butt-ass cold, but as soon as she hit the warmth…. Ahhh. She tossed her jacket and clothes on a nearby chair, uncovering a white bathing suit with pink flowers, and sank into the waters. Leaning back against the side, she closed her eyes. The contrast between the blustery winter weather and the bliss of the heat shocked the system, in the best way. Getting away from it all was unnatural. After the onslaught of harassing text messages from her ex, she’d left her phone home. Who’d be contacting her anyway? Plus, cell service here sucked. The idea was to get away from it all and let Jerry get some breathing space. Hopefully, he’d find someone else to focus on and leave her alone. He hadn’t been such a loser when she first met him, but, then again, he hadn’t been honest either. She’d been duped into thinking he was a college student. Then she learned he only saw them as an easy pickup.

“Mind if I join you?” A man’s deep voice broke through her thoughts, and she opened her eyes. Have mercy.

He towered over the spa, and she looked up, up, up—past those tapered hips and sculpted stomach to broad shoulders and a mouth that promised all sorts of wicked goodness. The cold didn’t seem to bother him much, except for those hard nipples.

“Come on in. There’s plenty of room.”

Rather than taking up residence on the other side, where someone who followed social norms might have, he sat next to her. Real close. The water level rose as he got in.

“You must be new to these parts. Haven’t seen you around. I’m Derek.”

The tone of his voice moved over her body, eliciting a physical response. Her nipples perked up, and the weight of his gaze settled on her chest, which just about floated on the water. Feeling uncharacteristically self-conscious, she dipped below.

“Ah, perceptive. I’m Sugar,” she said. “I’m staying with my brother Yas and Tala at the B&B.”

“Is Sugar short for anything?” he asked.

“You mean like “Sugar-licious?” She licked her lips, overemphasizing the way she ran her tongue over the full bottom one. The way his eyes zeroed in on her mouth gave her a thrill.

Men were so obvious.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CBhzaG61Lc

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Jessica E. Subject's ALIEN ATTRACTION

Alien Attraction

Alien Next Door book three

By Jessica E. Subject

Erotic Sci-Fi Romance

ISBN: 978-0994843111

She wants to be more alien.

He wants to be more human.

Born a galaxy apart, will Angela and Chal have a chance at love, or will their extraterrestrial secrets leave them running to stay alive?

Available From:

Amazon US / UK / Canada / Germany / Australia

All Romance | Barnes & Noble | Coffee Time

Google Play | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27280631-alien-attraction

Related titles:

Alien Adoration (Alien Next Door book one)

Alien Admirer (Alien Next Door book two)

Excerpt:

Excerpt 1 (PG)

“We need to talk.”

Tossing the clothes and keys inside, she stood in the entrance, blocking his view of her home. “No, we needed to talk last Saturday, last Sunday, or Monday even. Not today. It’s too late. I get the message. You’ve avoided me all week, because you weren’t away on business. I heard you enough times slamming cupboards, drawers, and arguing with the voices in your head.”

“With my brother.”

“Whatever. Plenty of time to come over and talk.”

She ducked inside and shut him out, but couldn’t quite latch the door, Chal obviously pushing on it from the other side.

“I know what you are.” The words came out in barely a whisper, but loud enough for her to quit fighting him. “I know what that thing is on the floor behind you, and even though it’s giving me a killer headache, I’m still here because, as I said, we need to talk.”

Grabbing the front of his shirt, Angela yanked him inside, and locked the world out. “Fine, what do you know?”

Bio:

Jessica E. Subject is the author of science fiction romance, mostly alien romances, ranging from sweet to super hot. Sometimes she dabbles in paranormal and contemporary as well, bringing to life a wide variety of characters. In her stories, you could not only meet a sexy alien or two, but also clones and androids. You may be transported to a dystopian world where rebels are fighting to live and love, or to another planet for a romantic rendezvous.

When Jessica is not reading, writing, or doing dreaded housework, she likes to get out and walk with her giant, hairy dog her family adopted from the local animal shelter.

Jessica lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two energetic children. And she loves to hear from her readers. You can find her at jessicasubject.com and on twitter @jsubject.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Tick...tick...tick....

HER CAPTAIN, my Capricorn story for Fated Desires Publishing's Tempting Signs series, releases in one week and one month (five weeks, if you're doing the math). Have you Pre-Ordered your copy yet?

HER CAPTAIN is a heart-warming, sexy contemporary...one of my best yet. The only demons are the internal ones; the only wolf is in the whistle. But there's a big storm, a holiday festival, lots of pie...and a totally hunky ex-Navy SEAL. Here's the info:

Capricorn Slate Claybourne, an ex-SEAL and former sniper who has seen and done things in country that no man should endure, returns to hisbucolic hometown on Pieberry Island, desperate for the mundane, everyday routines he once wanted to escape.

A broken soul-dead man unable to be around people, his body still a lethal weapon when his night terrors wake him from sleep, Slate’s failed to keep the promise he made to the commander who died in his arms: to look after the older man’s baby girl.

But animated Aries Holly Harper is not the pigtailed tot Slate expected her to be, when she lands on the island to take over the decrepit Pieberry House, determined to turn it into an inn for summer tourists, and even more determined to yank Slate back into the land of the living.

First she crashes into him at the island’s holiday Winter Festival, dumping a towering stack of pies at his feet, then she drags him off to a fortune teller against his better judgment. Except for the sizzling attraction smoldering between them, they’re incompatible in every way.

But when a furious December nor’easter traps them together at Pieberry House, will Slate and Holly overcome their pasts and discover they are two halves of a whole?

Releasing 12/15/15. Available for Pre-Order Now!

‪#‎Amazon‬ : http://amzn.to/1FF3Er8
‪#‎iTunes‬: http://apple.co/1IIsTGU
‪#‎Google‬: http://bit.ly/1MoTeOq
‪#‎Kobo‬: http://bit.ly/1TsHSwV
‪#‎Nook‬: http://bit.ly/1FxbYsW
‪#‎ARe‬: http://bit.ly/1MlhhMx

HER CAPTAIN will be blog touring with Goddess Fish Promotions from 11/23-12/18. Stay tuned!

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Halloween at the Northridges

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Here's a free read I wrote for the Black Hills Wolves newsletter, which came out yesterday. It features Brick Northridge and Summer McCoy, hero and heroine of WOLF'S SONG, their kids; Brick's brother, Chance Northridge, and Chance's squeeze, Julie Pembroke. You'll be able to read Chance and Julie's story in ANOTHER CHANCE, releasing in February!

Halloween at the Northridges

Brick Northridge surveyed with satisfaction the lawn of the cabin--really more of a luxury lodge these days--that he'd rebuilt and renovated during his ten year banishment from Los Lobos. About halfway between Wolf territory and the big cat town of Shady Heart, South Dakota, the log and stone structure now housed his young family.

A fire pit, surrounded by a circular mound of cut rocks, crackled merrily in front of the wraparound porch. The flames spread warmth to the darkest corners of the property, as his little twins, a wolf pup named Clay and a kitten cub named Autumn, frolicked nearby under his mate’s watchful eyes. Summer toasted hot dogs and melted s’mores for them until they were coated in chocolate and bouncing from their sugar highs.

An enormous Harvest moon glowed golden and low in the sky. Gossamer spider webs and fluttery ghosts dripped from the trees ringing the dense forest and pumpkin-headed scarecrows already dotted the grass where his little ones rolled, an irony his mate enjoyed.

“Do I look terrified to you?” Summer inquired, her head tilted with amusement, as she brought him another armful of pumpkins and set them out on the picnic table where he worked, careful to keep the tools of his trade away from his inquisitive kids.

Born half-cougar and half skinwalker and able to assume various animal forms, Summer still preferred her guise as a raven. The winged form allowed her to soar above him when he ran as a wolf, or to check out that all remained well in Los Lobos below. His mate had proven her fearlessness. It’d take more than a few straw-stuffed dummies to ever scare her away.

He and Summer loved this time of year. In fact, they’d named their baby girl, a kitten cub who looked just like her gorgeous, green-eyed mother, for the season.

An artisan and master carver gaining reknown for his exquisitely detailed signature figurines, sold by commission, as well as from an online website and in Summer’s friend’s boutique in Shady Heart, Brick set aside one week a year to work his knife skills exclusively on the orange vegetables, which he and Summer distributed throughout Los Lobos. Twinkling jack-o-lanterns were gracing almost every porch or windowsill in town, including the bar and tables at Gee’s place, The Den, as well as the desk in the office of their Alpha, Drew Tao.

Much to the younger Wolves great delight, Brick’s artistry turned Los Lobos into a twinkling Halloween central this time of year. He loved that the littlest cubs came by with their parents or older siblings to drop off small orange globes they’d picked in the pumpkin patch in the Community Garden behind the schoolhouse.

Most of the time, they were content to let him surprise them. But some of the more ambitious—clearly young dominants in the making—brought him rudimentary sketches and gave him instructions about what they wanted—which tickled him to no end. More than a few demanded the pack Enforcer: “Ryker, with his scariest ‘you’re going to be grounded for that’ face.” Or “Gee, when he’s growling over a pot of honey.” Or, from the bravest of them, “Bad Magnum.”

Growing up, his own family had been decimated by the machinations of the evil former Alpha, Magnum Tao. Having just been reunited with his older brother, Chance, and his twin siblings, Amber and Garnet, it gave Brick a special feeling of community and family to do this for the pack to which he and his kin once again belonged.

Still shy around people, Amber and Garnet sat rocking on the main porch, which was strewn with festive holiday lights, twinkling bats and glowing ghoul lanterns for the carving party. Chance arrived with Julie Pembroke, whose tray of delectable mini-cupcakes distracted Clay and Amber from their hot dog and chocolate-marshmallow-graham cracker feasting or periodic study of their dad’s work.

Summer brought out a giant tub filled with cider and apples, in case any youngsters happened by with an urge to bob. The tub proved an attraction too tantalizing to Autumn’s cat curiosity. After watching Uncle Chance demonstrate how to bob and come up with a ripe one stuck in his mouth, Autumn hissed, shifting into a pint-sized furball. With mischief brewing in her green eyes, she stuck out a paw and speared an apple for herself.

The adults—even Amber and Garnet—convulsed with laughter as the little kitten basked in the praise and applause then trotted around the lawn with her prize.

Clay watched her for awhile and then, not to be outdone by his twin sister, he shifted into his pup form, let out a squeaky howl and sprang onto the picnic table where Brick worked. Although he managed to whisk his sharp tools away from his small tyke in the nick of time, he wasn’t quite quick enough for Clay.

Small claws jutting from his little paws, he advanced on the biggest pumpkin on the table and slashed at it. With a howl of satisfaction, he jumped off the table and took a victory lap, his fuzzy tail waving triumphantly in the air.

“Sweet Luna,” said Uncle Chance. He whistled long and low, as he turned the jack-o-lantern for the other’s to see. A small but perfect wolf, howling at the moon above. “Beginner’s luck?”

“No way,” said Summer, sweeping up her twins and cuddling each of them in an arm. “Like father, like son.”

Brick’s chest swelled with pride as he gazed at his family. He took his own victory lap.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM THE NORTHRIDGES!

Read Brick and Summer's story in WOLF'S SONG
Available from Amazon: US | Canada| UK | Australia | Barnes and Noble

And watch for ANOTHER CHANCE, coming soon!

Saturday, October 24, 2015

5 Stars for HER CAPTAIN!

HER CAPTAIN, my contemporary zodiac love story for Fated Desires Publishing, has received a 5-star review from Manic Readers!

Manic Reader Review
Rating:

Reviewer: Alberta
Review:

Slate returns from several tours in Iraq a damaged man, suffering from PTSD but not willing to do much about it. He lives alone, socializes as little as possible, & tries to forget his friend & commanding officer who didn‘t make it back from overseas. Before he died the commander extracted the promise from Slate that he’d look after the CO’s little girl. Slate had no idea that the little girl was a feisty beauty nearer his own age, but can he resist her siren’s call?

Holly is determined to ‘fix’ Slate & bring him back to the land of the living & loving. This is a lovely love story, with a great hero’s journey. I loved it! Apparently there are several more authors waiting to publish more in this series, each about a different zodiac signed couple. Looking forward to the rest of them.

Although the official release date is December 15, 2015, you can
Pre-Order HER CAPTAIN now!

BLURB:

Capricorn Slate Claybourne, an ex-Seal and former sniper who has seen and done things in country that no man should endure, returns to his bucolic hometown on Pieberry Island, desperate for the mundane, everyday routines he once wanted to escape.

A broken, soul-dead man unable to be around people, his body still a lethal weapon when his night terrors wake him from sleep, Slate’s failed to keep the promise he made to the commander who died in his arms: to look after the older man’s baby girl.

But when a furious December nor’easter traps them together at Pieberry House, will Slate and Holly overcome their pasts and discover they are two halves of a whole?