Carly's Cozy Corner: March 2015

Shifters and witches? Forbidden on pain of death. Might as well stick a fork in a light socket. Yet those are the kind of sparks witch princess Sophia Blue feels when she meets wolf shifter Noah in her aunt’s bookstore.

But Sophia is stuck. Her aunt is missing and Noah, the last person to see her, is Sophia’s only hope. If not for that and her aunt’s new, cute little doggie, Sophia would run as far as she could from the sexy, hard-hewn alpha.

Noah’s stuck too. Before disappearing, the aunt hit him with a hex gone horribly wrong—he’s the doggie. By day he’s fifteen pounds of yippity-yip, and with five anti-alpha wolves nipping at his heels, that’s deadly dangerous. Only Sophia can help him, but she has lost her magic.

Then an evil mage from Sophia’s past shows up with murder on his mind, and all Noah’s instincts shout to protect the woman his misguided heart thinks is his mate.

Warning: Sinfully sexy alpha thrown together with a hot witch in a small town. Sass, sparkle, a meddling aunt, snafus, growling, fighting, and oh yeah, sex. Might want to get up to date on your shots.

Enjoy the following excerpt for Heart Mates:

Sophia, looking for her missing aunt, seeks alpha wolf Noah at beta Mason’s garage.

“I don’t know where Noah is. How could I?” Yet even as Sophia spoke, that snarl of awareness curled up her nape.

Mason said, “He phoned just a minute ago. Said you named him Kin—”

“—someone to help,” a bass voice thrummed from the dark depths.

Sophia spun. That masculine voice, vibrating with power, plucked a long string of deep, throbbing need.

A man emerged from the blackness, gliding into the sharp white light. Her entire belly turned inside out.

Crane-her-neck tall. A smooth prowl, all muscular grace, extraordinary strength and endurance. A fall of black hair over a high, regal brow. He was total alpha—powerful, deadly and sexy as hell.

Her eyes widened, her jaw dropped and her heart beat hard against her ribs as her hormones plonked “Endearing Young Charms”—and then exploded. Not really, but the full-body shiver and the rush of hot need through her veins was anything but mild.

He stopped a few feet from her, standing with breathtaking stillness. Werewolves were usually ruled by their aggression, so the man’s cool composure was even more striking.

Definitely a were, though. His honed jaw was textured by the rough black morning-after-sex stubble all male wolf shifters seemed to have. Her body splashed with a hot me want of desire.

Their eyes met.

Power shows in the eyes. This man had power, and to spare. She was stunned by irises of pure silver around pupils which opened to her like velvety black pools. She fell in and happily drowned.

“Noah, finally,” Mason said. “I found Marlowe, but he’d already gotten rid of the…” He cut Sophia a glance. “The thing. I read the kid the riot act, made him do some work around here and sent him home.”

“Good.” Noah’s answer was for Mason but his gaze was still locked on Sophia. He took a step nearer, his eyes flashing. “You’re Linda’s niece.”

“Yes.” Nervously, she fingered her pearls. Those gleaming silver eyes knocked her off-balance, drilling into her very thoughts. She sucked in a breath, got a lungful of hot male and nearly imploded when her body zinged like every hormone she had was shouting alleluia.

Damn it, no. He was a shifter. Worse, he was pack alpha, bound to be mated. An ex-witch slavering after a mated alpha?

Smiting was happening for sure.

He glided another step closer, his muscles sliding easily under his skin and clothes. He raised his hand and caught her fumbling fingers, stilling them.

The warm pads of his fingers pressed against her skin were stunningly sensual. Her lips fell open because she was having trouble breathing. She blinked at him.

He lifted her hand from her pearls and brought it to his nose. Finally those remarkable eyes closed as he inhaled. A tiny, appreciative smile curved his lips, as if he were enjoying the bouquet of a fine wine. “You smell amazing.” His voice rippled with a low, sensual growl.

Her body responded with “Endearing Young Charms”. Boom-boom.

When his lids lifted, his gaze had gentled. The wolf within was very strong, but the man controlled it utterly.

A half step closer, him or her, she wasn’t sure who. Their auras kissed. A thousand butterflies jigged inside her. Pure male heat rolled over her skin, edged with virile, wild magic. A tremor hit low in her belly. If she leaned in a fraction of an inch, she’d touch him, flesh-on-flesh…she swallowed hard. Touching him might be like completing an electrical circuit, and she’d be the one fried. “Look, I’m trying to find my Aunt Linda.”

His gaze dropped to her mouth as she spoke. “She owns the bookstore.”

“Yes.” Under that silvery gaze, her lips felt too full, throbbing. The word was hard to form. She licked.

His pupils dilated until his eyes were pure black, riveted to her mouth. “You’re the gor—the woman in the picture.”

What had he been about to say? Gorilla? Gourmand? Gorgeous? “What picture?”

“Your aunt has a photograph of you.” He released her hand to slide a finger under her chin.

All her breath expelled. Without oxygen, she let him tilt her face to one side, then the other. The throbbing in her lips intensified.

His lids lowered, lazy with promise. “Your nose is longer than I expected.”

Wow. Just what a woman wanted to hear. “Thanks.”

“It’s a good nose. Honest. Elegant. I like it.”

Instantly the throbbing was back, but she pushed it away, mirrored it by stepping back. “An honest, elegant snout is still a snout.”

He followed her. “Your nose is unique, like your scent. Exotic. Deeply enticing.”

He was right on top of her. She stared up into eyes glowing between lids slit, not in suspicion, but heavy-lidded with intent.

The intent to kiss her.

Author Links:

WebPage: http://maryhughesbooks.com

Email: mary@maryhughesbooks.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryHughesAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryHughesBooks

Sign-up for Mary Hughes Newsletter: http://www.maryhughesbooks.com/news.htm#MHNewsletter

Group blogs:

Group Blog http://www.lustwithalaugh.com/

Group Blog

http://magicalmusings.com/

Friday, March 27, 2015

Blog Tour: The Legend of the Light Keeper by Kelly Hall

Author: Kelly Hall
Title: The Legend of the Light Keeper
Series: The Light Keeper Series
Publication Date: March 25, 2015
Publisher: Booktrope

After a hurricane destroys her home, Lily Jordan is ready for life to get back to normal. That would be easy if her mother’s recent engagement hadn’t landed her in a house along Southeast Texas’ most haunted ghost road.

The secluded scenic road is steeped in rich history and legends, but when Lily is given an old diary on her birthday, will she find that those legends hold more for her future than she’s bargained for?

With the help of new friends, Hunter and Owen, and forbidden love, Talon, will she uncover dark secrets from the past and find the key to her own gifts?

Is it fate or circumstance that brought her to her new home?

Normal gives way to the paranormal in book one of the Light Keeper series where mystery and suspense will keep you guessing until the very last page.

AMAZON | B&N

Author Bio:

Kelly Hall was born and raised in Southeast Texas, and lives in a small town just a stone’s throw from the ghost road where her Light Keeper series is based. When she’s not busy writing, or spending time with her husband and two sons, this self-proclaimed creative junkie dabbles in many different forms of art, including cake decorating and mixed media.

Author Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This tour was organized by Good Tales Book Tours.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Spotlight Tour: Killshot by Aria Michaels

Killshot

(Icarus Series)

by Aria Michaels

When seventeen year old Liv Larson and her brother are sent to separate foster homes, she gives up on her old life, her old friends, and her faith in God. The only bright spot in Liv’s new life is her energetic and obnoxious foster-sister, Riley. When Riley convinces her to come to the rooftop party to view Icarus, the up-coming solar flare, Liv meets Zander. For the first time in months her troubles take a back seat...that is until what should have been a small flare, erupts into a full blown solar storm.

Now, Liv and her rag-tag group of not-quite friends must find a way to survive the sweltering heat, lingering radiation, and the mysterious virus that appears to have found an ideal host among their ranks. Alliances will be formed, and battle lines will be drawn as Liv and her new friends set out on a perilous journey to save their loved ones, find answers, and reach salvation.

But, something sinister awaits them in the dark—and it’s undeniably connected to Liv.

Will Liv be able to keep her promise and reunite with her brother? Will her brave determination be enough to save them all from a rogue government, a terrifying virus, and the things that go bump in the night?

…Or was Icarus, indeed, the KILLSHOT.

Amazon | B&N Paperback | Kobo

Before the Sky Fell

(An Icarus Novella)

Amazon

Aria Michaels lives in a small town in Illinois with her loving, patient, husband and her six (yes, SIX) energetic boys. Always the creative type, Aria fed off the encouragement of her mother, and started writing and illustrating her own stories at a very young age. Aria's passion for creation and love of the human spirit followed her to the university level where she graduated with an Associates Degree in Fine Arts, and a Bachelors Degree in Communications, with a minor in psychology.

After years of juggling parenthood with her a career in higher education, the universe finally called Aria back to her original passion...writing. When she isn't glued to her computer, or painting her next masterpiece, Aria can be found playing in the dirt with her kids, snuggling up to a good zombie flick with her husband, or sipping a glass of wine by the fire with friends.

Faceboook | Twitter | Goodreads | Website

tsu | Amazon

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Cover Reveal: the story of Lansing Lotte by L.B. Dunbar

Cover Reveal

Title: the story of Lansing Lotte Author: L.B. Dunbar Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: April 28, 2015

I get it. I’ve heard the jokes. My name sounds like some medieval character who was a hero. Hell, my best friend’s named Arturo King. Ring any medieval bells? But this is my story and I’m no hero. I also get the jokes. Lansing Lotte is a play on the words lance and lot. And a lance refers to a sword which is a euphemism for dick. What does a man do with his dick? He screws. A lot. So if my name is Lansing Lotte, I must be fucking lot. Get it? Fucking a lot. Which I’m not saying I don’t. That’s not the point. Another reference to something sexual. Get my point? Huh, I made a punny. But again this is my story, and I haven’t done anything funny. In fact, I’ve killed three women, and only one of them I loved. Yeah, that’s right. Not laughing now. It’s not funny. And I’m definitely no fucking hero.

PLAYLIST: The Story of Lansing Lotte: Playlist “Toxic” - Britney Spears “Come a Little Closer” - Cage the Elephant “One Year, Six Months” – Yellowcard “Broken (feat. Amy Lee)” – Seether “Wicked Game” – Phillip Phillips “Mad World (feat. Michael Andrews)” – Gary Jules “Mind Over Matter” – Young the Giant “Do I Wanna Know?” – Arctic Monkeys “The Distance” – Cake “Battlefield” – Lea Michele “Walking After You” – Foo Fighters “Tighten Up” – The Black Keys “Today” – Willamette Stone “Stolen Dance” – Milky Chance “Let It Go” – James Bay “Take Me to Church” – Hozier “Giants” – Bear Hands “Broken” – Lifehouse “Shut Up and Dance” – Walk the Moon

EXCERPT: The Story of Lansing Lotte: excerpt (chapter 1) I could feel my head throbbing. Both of them. The night before was a fuzzy mash of images in my brain, as I recalled the concert. My band, The Nights, were rocking The Round Table something fierce and the crowd was thumping. I remembered the muted bright lights and the energy of the music I produced on my guitar next to the lead singer and my best friend, Arturo King, while the girls screamed in response to Arturo’s voice. Regardless of Arturo’s recent engagement, the ladies still loved the Chivalrous Lover. They equally called out for me and my guitar playing as well though, and I loved the attention. There was no better high than the cry of a crowd cheering you on. On the opposite side of the stage, focused on his bass guitar was Tristan Lyons. He had model-like features and his nickname was the Heartbreaker. He went through girls like they were food to be savored and devoured, and his followers were nicknamed flavors. He enjoyed the variety of woman who came his way and he never dappled in the same flavor twice. Behind us had been Perkins Vale, who the band called Perk, and his enthusiasm for playing the drummers equaled his name. He was big and often played with his shirt off, exposing the detailed tattoo of a shield on his chest and across his left shoulder. His dark short hair shoved to his head, gave the impression of someone serious and intense, but he was the contrary. That’s why things went askew. I remembered Arturo and Perk having some kind of conversation between their eyes, but I was more focused on the fact that Mel Agent had somehow gotten into The Round Table. Last night was a private function as a fundraiser for women of domestic violence hosted by none other than Arturo’s mother, Ingrid Tintagel, and her foundation WomenFirst. Mel Agent was the lead singer of a rival band, who had become his own entity and now one of the Night’s sworn enemies. I despised the man for his behavior toward women and at that moment he seemed to be interested in a young thing with jet black hair. She didn’t look like the typical girl to be in the club. She didn’t look like the typical girl to follow a band. Her oversized army jacket covered her small body and her delicate hands clenched the coat closed over her chest. Mel Agent looked deep in conversation with the girl who was holding her own, but that’s when Arturo’s dark eyes started addressing Perk. Only the practiced ear of the band knew that Perk slipped as he played. He was off a beat for just a second, but recovered quickly. I was trying to question Arturo with my own unspoken glance, but Arturo was too focused on Perk. When the set ended, Arturo and Perk immediately hit the side stage. Both men moved quickly through the crowd, parting ways as I realized that Guinevere DeGrance was in the path of Mel Agent as well. I felt that familiar ping in my heart, and I looked away before I could see the guilt in Guinevere’s eyes. I was quick to follow them and pull Guinevere from Mel’s immediate vicinity. It seemed I was continually saving her from that man. Tristan had grabbed Arturo and was forcing him back as well. We didn’t need an altercation in the middle of the crowd, and Perk seemed to have the situation under control. A situation that clearly involved trying to free another woman from under the evil intentions of Mel Agent. I waited in the wings with Tristan and Arturo as Arturo barked out orders to give him my bike and for Tristan to take Guinie home. I knew Arturo sensed something between Guinie and I, and he refused to ask me for help when it came to her. Arturo paused for only a moment to continue what looked like an argument with his girlfriend, no his fiancée, before Perk and he disappeared completely, leaving Tristan and I to entertain the endless questions of where had the other two gone. Tristan and I could hold our own, though, and we did, with continuous shots and free flowing drinks. I was sure that’s how I ended up here – in bed. I tried to open my eyes which seemed too heavy. The pressure on my temples was a rhythm stronger than Perk’s drumming, but the feeling of warmth and moisture on my lower head made me moan. The suction increased and I felt my leaden hands travel into the hair of my capturer. I could remember snapshots of the night and the countless women leaning up against me. The laughter of female voices and the whispers of desire in my ear were muted by the loud sound of the other bands playing in the background. The numerous lips burned my skin subtly on my cheek and neck from stolen kisses by aggressive fan-girls. I had only wanted one girl to be a fan. And she was refusing. I was awakening slowly and the dream I was having moments before I regained consciousness was still visible in my mind. Fresh lips were on mine. Hands entwined in soft hair. Sounds moaned of pleasure. I had a vague sense that some of the dream had been a reality, but I couldn’t bring my mind to focus clearly on whether any of it had been true. I should have been ashamed. She was. She was embarrassed by how she responded to me. I had responded to her years before, and I had never forgotten. Despite her denying now that the first kiss had been intense, I knew she was lying. She kissed me back after all that happened, and I wanted her. I couldn’t help it. As my hands gripped female hair gently and finger nails tickled my hips, my eyes began to peel open. I took in the dim sunlight beginning to break the darkness in the room. The ceiling was grayed in shadow, and I rotated my head on a soft pillow to get a whiff of stale roses and observe the light pink of sheets. My eyes opened fully as I realized I didn’t recognize the room painted in a pale rose color and accented with frilly curtains over the shade covered window. My eyes traveled down my naked body to the head of my temptress. Her hair fell forward, veiling her as she worked me with her mouth. My hands coiled in her hair; I couldn’t quite distinguish the color. My concentration returned to what this temptress was doing between my legs and I let my eyes roll back as I dreamt of the woman who kissed my mouth with lush lips now using those lips to suck me off. I was ready to burst and I tightened my clasp of her hair, warning her softly with the words I’m ready. As the liquid strength in me ejected down her throat, I growled like a prayer, “Fuck, Guinie,” as I looked down at the head over my manhood to meet green eyes, not blue. “Elaine?” I questioned.

L.B. Dunbar loves to read to the point it might be classified as an addiction. The past few years especially she has relished the many fabulous YA authors, the new genre of New Adult, traditional romances, and historical romances. A romantic at heart, she’s been accused of having an overactive imagination, as if that was a bad thing. Author of the Sensations Collection, Sound Advice, Taste Test, Fragrance Free, Touch Screen, and the upcomin Michigan, but has lived in Chicago for longer, calling it home with her husband and children. ing Sight Words, she is also author of the Legendary Rock Star series, beginning with The Legend of Arturo King. When not writing, she’s usually driving one of her four growing children somewhere. She grew up +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I’d like to say I was always a writer. I’d also like to say that I wrote every day of my life since a child. That I took the teaching advice I give my former students because writing every day improves your writing. I’d like to say I have my ten-thousand hours that makes me a proficient writer. But I can’t say any of those things. I did dream of writing the “Great American Novel” until one day a friend said: Why does it have to be great? Why can’t it just be good and tell a story? As a teenager, I wrote your typical love-angst poetry that did occasionally win me an award and honor me with addressing my senior high school class at our Baccalaureate Mass. I didn’t keep a journal because I was too afraid my mom would find it in the mattress where I kept my copy of Judy Blume’s Forever that I wasn’t allowed to read as a twelve year old. I can say that books have been my life. I’m a reader. I loved to read the day I discovered “The Three Bears” as a first grader, and ever since then, the written word has been my friend. Books were an escape for me. An adventure to the unknown. A love affair I’d never know. I could be lost for hours in a book. So why writing now? I had a story to tell. It haunted me from the moment I decided if I just wrote it down it would go away. But it didn’t. Three years after writing the first draft, a sign (yes, I believe in them) told me to fix up that draft and work the process to have it published. That’s what I did. But one story let to another, and another, and another. Then a new idea came into my head and a new storyline was created. I was accused (that’s the correct word) of having an overactive imagination as a child, as if that was a bad thing. I’ve also been accused of having the personality of a Jack Russell terrier, full of energy, unable to relax, and always one step ahead. What can I say other than I have stories to tell and I think you’ll like them. If you don’t, that’s okay. We all have our book boyfriends. We all have our favorites. Whatever you do, though, take time for yourself and read a book. L.B. Dunbar

Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lb.dunbar Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/lbdunbarauthor Amazon Author: http://www.amazon.com/author/lbdunbar Tsu: https://tsu.co/lbdunbar Twitter: https://twitter.com/lbdunbarwrites Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lbdunbar/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8195738.L_B_Dunbar Booktropoloussocial: https://booktropoloussocial.com/index.php?do=/profile-2475/ Blogger: http://lbdunbarwrites.blogspot.com/ Website: http://www.lbdunbar.com/ Instagram: lbdunbarwrites Other Books by L.B. Dunbar (Click on covers to buy now!!)

Monday, March 23, 2015

Blog Tour: Mending Heartstrings by Felicia Lynn

**BLOG TOUR**

March 23- April 6th

Mending Heartstrings by Felicia Lynn

Both Books on sale during tour for .99!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20337691-mending-heartstrings

Buy Link:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1BZzrgO

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1x9OGhM

Mending Heartstrings Synopsis:

Just when life seems to be manageable, you’re thrown radically off course by “the one”. “The one” you weren’t expecting. “The one” who single handedly holds the key to the tattered and rusted lock to the walls surrounding your heart. Letting her into your protected sanctuary will only serve one purpose, intentional infliction of pain and heartache.

Jon is a man on a mission with only one agenda, to survive…to survive his past, and avoid letting his future be consumed by his history. It’s all really simple, until she walks into his world and turns it, on its axis. She makes him yearn for things he never wanted, or at least didn’t realize he ever would. Now his dreams and writings are consumed with the fantasy that this girl could change everything. But deep down he knows she deserves better. Better than him. Better than anyone he’s ever met.

He’s the lead guitarist for Garrett McKenna’s band. His life consists of touring, studio time, and writing music. That’s it. Staying healthy means keeping his routine, which has been easy enough until this little effervescent beauty rocks his world. Now he’s left questioning everything and doing some soul searching to decide if he’s equipped to give what he knows she needs and deserves.

Whitney avoids love at all costs. She’s not scared of it. She’s too strong to be that weak. She refuses to allow herself to lose her mind over another person, when there’s a high probability of getting her heart broken. She’s witnessed it more times than she can count, and she’s less than interested in taking the gamble.

Her strong will has served her well in life. Very few people know her secrets. She prefers to keep it that way. Her friends and family own her heart and deep devotion. She could easily do without the rest of the population but plays nice so she doesn’t appear to be the major bitch she knows she is on the inside.

Everything in her life makes sense. Her life is filled with more love and laughter than most will ever see, and it feels complete to her. She’s simply satisfied…until him.

He complicates things. His life isn’t something she understands or is willing to try to figure out. But she can’t keep her mind from wandering to the scruff faced, gorgeous guitarist, no matter how hard she tries.

He’s everything she’s never wanted, yet her heart is telling her differently. She fears she’s diving headfirst off the cliff of heartache. She’ll never recover from her brief no-strings weekend with this man. If she opens her heart it will be “the end”… no matter what. The question is what kind of ending will it be? Not all fairy tales have the happily ever after.

Tied Up In Heartstrings - http://amzn.to/1yEuzKq

Tied Up In Heartstrings Synopsis

Tragedy ripped the security from her life. Left a single mother, Alexis's fear of loss insulates her from the rest of the world. Her best friends from college and close family are the only people she keeps close.

A man from her past has always been in love with Alexis. He’s never met anyone that measures up to her. Garrett is a musician, who never really imagined he’d have the fame and fortune that he's found. But, even with that, what he's always wanted is out of reach... or is it?

When Garrett and Alexis meet up by chance a relationship begins. Neither expected what happens. She can’t be sure she’s ready for the complications a relationship brings. He will have to work overtime to win her heart without any assurances it will be successful.

Alexis is learning about life without Jed, and is feeling more secure with parenting on her own. Garrett appreciates his fans and is enjoying his life on the road but misses having a private life. The lives they have built separately leave little room for a budding relationship, but their hearts won’t take that into consideration.

Will the cards they’ve been dealt get in the way of a love that is meant to be? Is love enough to overcome loss and heartbreak? Can they accept all that the other is, without feeling like they are living in the shadow of their former lives?

The List - http://amzn.to/1H8cHkh

The List Synopsis

In Matthews, North Carolina, where everyone knows everyone, there’s a minefield of hidden secrets and cover-ups. When Kip’s opportunity to avenge those who have been wronged approaches, he contemplates revenge. For Kip, removing the people who’ve caused harm to those he loves is a mission of service. With the time limit on Kip’s future quickly approaching, sacrifices must be made to make sure the guilty parties pay. But will his conscience get in the way? Can a man who lives life so passionately ever be a murderer?

Author Bio:

Felicia Lynn, author of Tied Up In Heartstrings, is a transplanted Florida girl, born and raised, who lives just north of Atlanta, GA. She spends most of her days holed up in a cozy chair with a cup of tea and her laptop, writing about the characters that live in her head. When she’s not writing you’ll find her hanging out with her family and friends! She loves reading, taking long walks, chatting with her Facebook family, and listening to music, especially live music. A self-declared lover of all things baseball, she is obsessed with every aspect of the game!!!

Felicia writes contemporary romance, because love stories make people happy. Even in the midst of anguish and turmoil, true love can turn life around, and the process is beautiful. Most of Felicia's stories are based on real life experiences, which she embellishes to tell a story. Mending Heartstrings, the second in the Heartstrings series, will be releasing shortly. She also recently co-wrote a mystery/suspense book titled The List with professional poker player, Chris Bell. Look for more to come from those two as well.

Website: http://www.felicialynn.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FeliciaLynnAuthor

Twitter:https://twitter.com/flynnauthor

Instagram: http://instagram.com/flynnauthor/

Email: info@felicialynn.com

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Felicia-Lynn/e/B00FBGOKKY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1424031213&sr=8-1

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Release Day Blitz: Raven by Dzintra Sullivan

Book:Raven
Series:The Halfway House #2
Author:Dzintra Sullivan
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Hosted By: Francessca’s Romance Reviews

Synopsis

Hello, my name is Raven, or at least that's what I have always been told. I live at the Halfway House with Eloise Mayflower, my den mother. I am a paranormal, I am seventeen years old, and, oh yeah, I am a vampire.

Whenever I ask about the family I can't remember, I am met with hushed whispers and looks of deception. Something is not right; I might be a vampire, but I am not stupid.

A sexy centaur named Samuel Mane enters my world, and my future starts looking bright and exciting. When my best friend, Sorin Osmochescu, decides that Samuel is too dangerous and forbids me to see him, I have to make a choice—the only family I have ever known or my true love.

An afternoon chat with council member Rumor Winslow leaves me terrified …

A secret past?

Hidden identities?

Lives in imminent danger?

Holy sharp fangs, Batman! Who EXACTLY am I?

Add to Goodreads

“Who are you hiding from, little bird?” spoken by a sultry voice from behind her. Raven jumped, her hand clasping her chest. She had been sitting across from the Halfway House, just staring at the door. There was some dense forest and a few fallen trees, they had a great pondering seat just out of the line of sight, or so she thought.

“Trying to give a girl a heart attack?” Raven asked as she added some panting for esthetic purposes.

“Wouldn’t you have to have a heart in order to have it attacked?” Samuel raised an eyebrow as he wandered in, sitting on a log a few feet away from her.

Raven’s head tilted in curiosity. What a strange comment for a human to make… unless…Raven thought hard as she looked straight at Samuel. His golden locks of rustic hair tumbling down his back was just dreamy. Raven sighed every time she saw it. Her need to reach out and touch it was almost unbearable. His eyes locked on hers as she grew more and morecurious.

“It would be hard to function without one.” Raven decided to try the ‘we’re all human,’approach, no sense in getting the council’s feathers in a flap over a simple error in judgment.

Samuel spread open his left-hand palm toward her, and with a wiggle of his eyebrows he slanted the corner of his mouth up in a wry smile. He turned his hand, allowing Raven to see the PSE tattoo on the webbing between his thumb and pointer finger.

Oh, good Lord. He’s a para, thought Raven. Trying to ground her thoughts as her hand reached for the solid wood feel of the tree stump. Just a little wiggle of his eyebrows, and I’m already tingling more than a church full of bells on a Sunday.

“What are you?” Raven whispered to Samuel, begging her voice to stay strong and steady.

Samuel chuckled, the sound deep and husky. Leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees, he said, “I am anything you want me to be, little bird.”

“Anything, huh? Baboon? Walrus? Dickie bird?” Raven’s laugh was not joyful, although her body was betraying her own self-control. Luckily her brain was still functioning as an adult.

“Oh, I got it. What about smoke… be some smoke and blow away on the breeze,” she stated standing up, turning her back on him and beginning to walk away. She said over her shoulder, her voice changing to a solid cold tone as she remembered what was going on at home, “‘Cause I don’t have time to play games, little boy.”

In what seemed like a split second his arms were wrapped around her waist and she was being pulled hard against his chest. Her breath escaping in small, unexpected gasps. Samuel leaned in, his lips barely separate from hers. Feeling his breath tickle her face as he began to speak, so intensely, she could look nowhere else but into his amazing eyes. Lost in the words that now danced around in her head.

“I don’t play games, little bird,” he almost growled. “I became aware of you a decade ago.” His hand crept down to cradle her ass, giving it a gentle squeeze as he pulled her hard against him. “I’ve searched this planet for you. Visiting you whenever I could in our dreams.” Samuel relished in the moment he felt Raven had melted into his arms as he ground against her, her arms wrapping tightly around his massive shoulders. “I don’t play games, little bird.” He lifted her off the ground and instinctively Raven wrapped her legs around his waist. Feeling him under her, sent her body into a dark abyss she feared she might never be found in.

“You are mine,” and with those three little words, his mouth engulfed hers. His hand reaching behind her head, his fingers entwining in her hair as he held her head in place. Samuel’s tongue delved into her mouth, twisting and turning, introducing Raven to a dance she was made to do only with him. Hearing a soft moan from Raven as she threaded her fingers into his long ruffled hair nearly did him over. Knowing he was near his limit, he pulled back to looked into her eyes. Raven opened her eyes slowly. He could see they were glazed over with passion, this was a look he wanted to gaze into every second of every day.

“What are you?” Raven whispered, her lips swollen from an abuse she never wanted to end. Smiling as she felt his chest vibrate with his chuckle.

“My name is Samuel, and I am a centaur. I am your centaur.”

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About The Author

Dzintra Sullivan is a happily married mother of four amazing children. She lives on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. She has always been an avid reader starting with Enid Blyton and Judy Blume as a young girl. Quickly falling in love with the Paranormal creatures in her teen years.

Dzintra owns and runs the FB page Book Friends Forever, having started it to connect with other book addicts from around the world. Dzintra has always had a dream to write, and she is now living her dream. "Arkadia" is her debut novel, and book one in the Halfway House Series.

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