Reading Writing and Book Reviews

 Lark opened her eyes, taking in the pitch black hotel room, illuminated only by the moonlight. Sweat beaded around her neck and brow. Hair stuck to the nape of her neck. She sat up and looked around at the barely visible furniture. Movement by the window caught her eye.

Devon stood at the window arms crossed over his chest. His broad shoulders accented by the bright white of the moon. Lark stared at the fine plains of his bare back. She licked her lips taking him all in. Her body shuddered recalling the way he’d felt pressed against her – the way his lips had caressed hers a day ago.

Lark blinked the images away. Thankful for the darkness that hid the heat creeping across her face. Her throat parched, she pushed the covers back to get a drink of water from the sink.

The cool water alleviated some of the heat, and glided down her parched throat. She pushed the wet strands out of her face and walked to the window. Devon hadn’t moved. Preston and the three other guys lay sound asleep on the floor. They’d been kind enough to give her the only bed.

“Do you not sleep?” Lark joined him at the window. Her eyes glued to the door across the street. To think, her sister was in that room. Lark wondered if Sarah was okay. Was she sleeping? In pain? Would they hurt her? The list went on and on.

“It’s my turn to keep watch. Daniel said they wouldn’t leave till morning, but I don’t want to risk it.” Devon looked over at her for a moment his eyes slipped down to take in her plaid pants before he turned back to the window.

She’d gone with Preston to the store earlier to pick up a few things. They’d both needed the distraction. She normally slept in boy-shorts, but after her run in with Devon the other morning, and considering she was sharing a room with five guys, she had thought better.

“Oh, I didn’t realize you guys were keeping watch. I can keep a look out if you want to rest.”

“It’s okay. Preston will take over in another half hour.” Devon shrugged. “I’m used to the late nights; it’s actually been a little bit of shell shock to get used to days. As an EMT I worked the twelve hour night shift. Most incidents happen at night, you get used to being up all night. My nights off I usually spent out too. Vincent likes to party. I went along for something to do and keep him out of trouble.”

“I can see that about Vincent. I bet you’ve seen some interesting things on your job?”

Devon smiled, the moonlight lit his hazel eyes. “People never cease to amaze you. I’ve seen the traumatic to the dramatic.”

Lark laughed. “I can imagine. You see stories on the news every so often, where someone calls 911 for a cheeseburger, or something ridiculous like that.”

“Those are the people who don’t understand the absorbent bill they get in the mail for our services either,” Devon chuckled.

The smile lit his entire face. It gave her a rare glimpse of him. Lark wondered what had happened in his past to make him so distant. Slowly, he seemed to be opening up to her. She hoped he continued to do so.

“I’m sure you get interesting characters in The Cookie Jar.”

“Yeah, about half my customers are regulars. It’s kind of nice getting to talk to everyone. You’d be amazed what people tell you though. I’ve heard so many things that I really didn’t want to know.” Lark placed her hands on the windowsill, leaning forward. She peered out the sheer curtains.

Her thoughts drifted back to Sarah and Emily; at least they had each other.

“They won’t hurt her.”

Lark looked up at him surprised, taking a moment to register his words. She nodded and sighed, eyes darting back to the door across the street. The street seemed to stretch endlessly. It felt like miles separated them instead of mere feet. She would feel better once she could hold Sarah in her arms again.

“Have you ever thought about becoming a doctor or a nurse? You know taking your training to the next level?” Lark needed a distraction and she was curious about Devon.

“My bedside manner sucks.”

Lark met his smile. “But would you?”

Devon leaned forward before rocking back on his heels. “I don’t know. I never really thought about it.”

Lark nodded. “I always enjoyed baking. I never in my life thought I’d own my own bakery. But I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”

“I do like the blueberry muffins.”

“You guys do seem to have a sweet tooth. Well, actually, I’ve noticed you guys eat just about anything.”

Devon laughed. “It’s our metabolism. Especially when we shift a lot; it makes us hungry.”

“I can tell.” Lark looked over at him. “Do you do it often? Shift I mean?”

“I try to once a day; some days, like when I worked, I couldn’t. The wolf is a part of who we are. Shifting is important for our mental well being. As a rule, we try to shift three to four times a week. The only exception is when women are pregnant. The shift is harmful to the fetus since the body transforms from a human into a wolf.”

“Does it hurt when you change?” Lark couldn’t stop herself from asking.

“It’s a pleasure pain.”

“I imagine it’s exhilarating.”

“You really are genuinely interested aren’t you?” Devon turned to her eyes locked on hers.

Lark swallowed at the intensity of his gaze and lowered her eyes to the floor.

“I…I’m not trying to be rude.”

“I know.” Devon’s fingers grazed her chin, tilting it back up. “I’ve never met someone who’s been so understanding – who’s wanted to learn more.”

His thumb cupped her chin softly eyes glued to hers. She licked her lips in anticipation.

Slowly his face inched toward hers, their breath mingled. Her heart raced, and body scorched with arousal. His woodsy scent filled her nostrils. Eyes closed, his lips grazed against hers. Devon’s stubble scratched her chin; his lips so soft against hers.

 Out of the Shadows

Book Links

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ES2GX3O

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/out-of-the-shadows-bethany-shaw/1117494699?ean=2940148878179&itm=1&usri=2940148878179

http://store.kobobooks.com/Search/Query?fcmedia=Book&query=9781493658374

Book 2

Into the Unknown

Releasing January 2014

Synopsis:

Gene has taken on the role of alpha after the devastating loss of his father. A war is on the horizon and Gene is determined not to fail his pack. He makes an unlikely alliance with Natalia, the woman his enemy is hunting. The more time they spend together, the more Gene finds himself drawn to the sexy, mysterious, she-wolf.

Natalia has lost faith in her kind. After being rescued from her captors by Gene’s pack, she wants to take her son and run far away from everyone. But, she knows she wouldn’t get far with her psychotic family chasing her. She agrees to team up with Gene in an attempt to end her family’s tyranny. As they attempt to work together, she finds herself wondering if she can truly trust him, or will his betrayal be the greatest yet?

Excerpt: Into the Unknown *Unedited*

“Wow,” Natalia breathed as they reached the top of the peak. She closed her eyes as the cool breeze ghosted against her face. Pine and oak fragranced the air, causing a smile to slide across her face. Opening her eyes, she surveyed the landscape.

Trees spread out for as far as the eye could see. The sun hung low, filling the sky with an orange pink hue. She spun around relishing in the fresh scent and the complete seclusion the trees offered. Crickets chirped and she could hear wildlife scuttling about. “This is amazing,” she said, focusing her gaze on Gene.

 “My father worked hard on the landscape back home, but I don’t think it will ever be this secluded.”

“It is nice at your ranch,” Natalia commented. “I grew up in the city anything outside the city limits is rustic to me.”

“And you weren’t around any other wolves?” Gene questioned.

“No. My mother taught me what she knew. Which was not much. Her only experience was with my father, Luis.”

“I meant what I told you. I want to help you – teach you are ways.”

Natalia moved to the edge of the hill and stared down over the edge. Taking the chance and trusting him was about as appealing as jumping to the rocks and brush below. Still, she wanted to believe him.

“How do you do it?”

Swallowing she held her breath as he came to stand next to her. “What?”

“The partial shift. How do you do it?”

Natalia turned to look at him quirking her brow up as he came to stand in front of her. His heels touched the edge of the cliff and she blinked surprised how vulnerable he was allowing himself to be.

Her breath caught in her throat as he placed his hands on her shoulders, his chocolate eyes meeting hers. Her pulse spiked and a shiver ran up her spine as anticipation rolled through her.

“Close your eyes,” he said quietly.

Her eyes widened, heart accelerated and she fought the urge to lean into him. The innocent touch seemed anything but to her.

“You need to focus, close your eyes,” he urged, seemingly oblivious to her discomfort and arousal.

Clearing her throat, she closed her eyes, needing to escape his gaze.

“Now, think about your wolf. Your sight specifically. Imagine you are running. The wildlife and trees are whirling by you as you survey your surroundings. Everything is clearer, sharper. Inhale the pine and oak, the dirt and leaves.”

Natalia forced her breathing to even out, letting his voice guide her as she imagined what he was saying. Warm puffs of air hit her face as he spoke. She let his voice soothe her until she found herself lost in his words.

“Open your eyes, Talia,” Gene said softly.

Fingers grazed her cheeks and gently cupped her face. Startled, she opened her eyes, gasping at their close proximity.

Blinking, she stepped back taking him in. His face appeared clearer, stubble poked out from his pores. Gene’s brown eyes stared at her allowing her to see her goldish eyes reflecting off of them. Turning away from him, she took in the leaves noticing the fine lines of each of them and the tiny insects that gathered on the trunk of a tree.

“All you have to do is focus. How do you feel?” Gene asked.

“Good,” Natalia beamed. In fact, she felt better than she had in weeks.
“If you follow the same mindset when you transition I think it will help. The important thing to remember is you are still in control even if you are the wolf. Embrace who you are don’t fear it.”

“I’m not afraid of-“

“Yes, you are. You’re afraid of what we are because you don’t want to be like Juarez. You can be the wolf and still be yourself,” Gene said. He took a step to the side. “The wolf doesn’t make us do anything we wouldn’t already do. It’s just like with humans there are humans that are just evil. The same rule applies to wolves. There are wolves that are just bad too. On the flip side, there are good humans and wolves. It’s what we do that defines us not what we are.”

Gene sighed as he looked over the edge of the cliff. “I’m heading back. The house is a quarter of a mile that way,” Gene said pointing as he turned in the direction they’d come. “You should try shifting.”

Natalia nodded waiting until she heard the dirt and gravel crunching beneath his feet to turn around. He’d helped her. Swallowing, she watched as he disappeared into the trees. Satisfied she was alone, she undressed and prepared to transition.

Author Links

https://www.facebook.com/BethanyShawNovels

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18375048-out-of-the-shadows

http://www.tumblr.com/blog/bethanyshawnovels

Meet and Greet Bethany Shaw @ https://www.facebook.com/ReadingWritingandReviews

10-4 & 8-10 pm EST

December 13, 2013

Author M. Robinson

VIP

December 14, 2013

Synopsis

32 year old Sebastian Vanwell, was a very successful yacht broker, who always loved the design and architecture of a luxurious boat. His only addiction was being on the water. He loved it, he thrived on it, and he needed it in his life. After a very stable, loving child hood with only a few bumps, Sebastian married the love of his life. The one person that he knew would always be there. Julia was his rock, and he loved her more than life itself. Sebastian kept his addiction to the water under control, wanting to keep his time with his wife and son his number one obsession, that was until he saw her. This new addiction haunted him, the one compulsion that he couldn’t control no matter how hard he tried. Ysabelle Telle hit him hard, knocking the wind from his lungs. Coming from worlds apart, beautiful, dark complexion Ysabelle Telle didn’t have the rich, protected background that Sebastian Vanwell had. Ysabelle lived a life of hell, in poverty, growing up with a drug addict mother that never cared, and horrific living conditions. Ysabelle lived for one person and one person only; herself. She was pure perfection, her beauty along with a flawless body had men lined up, driveling over her insuring her success as a VIP. There are too many words that describe the effects when two diverse worlds like theirs collide. They both have too much to lose to get caught in the forceful pull, which could destroy them both. Warning sex/drugs/language. Mature readers only.

Book Link

http://www.amazon.com/Vip-M-Robinson/dp/1494374560/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1386613629&sr=8-2&keywords=vip+m+robinson

Author Link

https://www.facebook.com/monica.robinson.5895?fref=ts

More to Come

Lynn Richards -December 16, 2013

2-4 pm EST

Barbara Cutera – December 18, 2013

6-10 pm EST

Brooke Page – December 19, 2013

7-10 pm EST

Kate Benson- December 20, 2013

Christy Dilg- December 21, 2013

Special Guests, Laney and Chance

All Day

Laura Howard- December 22, 2013

2-4 pm EST

Chelle Bliss- December 23, 2013

Special Guest, Kayden

All Day

Happy Holiday Readings and Greetings, Anna