Janie’s fantasies are like the best kind of dirty story spoken aloud. Just ask her best-friend Marlow. Hot shower scenes with a sexy, hairy chested man leave both ladies fanning themselves as Janie rehashes her deepest desires. Only a true friend like Marlow can handle the details but soon Janie realizes Marlow isn’t the only one she tells them too. Waking up dazed and confused, Janie’s desires may have very well become reality but she can’t be sure.
I am a 28 year old married mother of 2. Writing has always been a passion of mine; ranging from poems and short stories to novella’s. My wish is to someday see my name on the big screen with a production based on something I’ve written or thought up. Reading is also a passion of mine and nothing makes me happier than seeing my son grab a book when he sees me reading on my nook or a paperback. It’s a great experience I hope to share with my daughter as well when she’s older.
On vacation in the tropical paradise of St. Lucia…
Martin and Abby never intended to meet anyone while they were away. Circumstance, however, pushes them together in spite of their expectations. With an entire vacation week with nothing to do but spend time together, Martin and Abby forge a connection unlike anything either had felt before. With Abby’s conservative nature and Martin’s refusal to be the player he had once been, the couple keeps themselves physically apart…until they can’t.
They collide into a friction that sparks a blazing need to stay together. Keeping the heat alive from opposite ends of the country, though, may prove too difficult. Distance and circumstance become very ugly words in this couple’s vocabulary.
Excerpt one:
“Do I get to see what’s under your robe?” He grinned wickedly as he reached for the belt.
She giggled and turned away. “Not yet! I have to finish my wine first. You should have thought of that before you poured me a glass,” she said laughing wickedly at the look on his face.
Martin groaned and dropped his head back on the couch, but then he got an ornery look on his face. He sat up and guzzled the last of his wine. He took her glass from her and tipped back the remainder of hers, too, sounding a refreshed “ahh” through his smile.
“Hey!” she said, laughing with him.
“Ok. Wine’s not an issue,” he grinned at her. “Show me.”
Still laughing a bit, she stood up and walked across the room from him. He stayed in his spot on the couch and waited for her to drop the robe. Like the seductress that she was, she stood there for a long moment, her makeup subtle-sexy and her beautiful auburn hair in a messy, wavy up-sweep.
She did nothing but look at him with heated eyes. She too-slowly reached for the belt and then stopped. She toyed with the ends of the terry-cloth rope that held the fabric closed around her.
“You know you’re killing me over here, right?” he asked, loving her playful side.
“Well, we can’t have that,” she said, pulling the belt loose but leaving the robe firmly closed around her body. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
“I did mention the death part, right?” he said, laughing. “I’m more than ready, Abby. Show me.”
“Can’t say I didn’t warn you…” and with that, she opened the robe and let it fall to the floor. Martin gaped at the sight in front of him. Never in his life, ever, had he seen anything so unbelievably sexy as what he saw in front of him in that moment. He must have inadvertently made a deal with the devil in order to have that in the room with him. She was absolutely, sinfully provocative.
His eyes raked down her body, pausing at every sexy, delicious curve. She wore a deep emerald corset with wickedly erotic black lace trim. The bodice hugged her ribs tightly and tucked her already tiny waist into a perfect hourglass center. The satin flared back out to accent her hips in a way that made him want to worship at her feet.
Then, as if that weren’t enough, the bottom rim of ribbon and lace held black garters that traced sexy lines down to black thigh-highs. Those alluring sheer hose hugged her legs with a lace border that nearly danced around the soft, creamy skin of her thighs. His eyes traveled back up to rest on her full breasts straining against the satin laced up to a bow between them.
The exaggerated curves were even more accented by a wisp of hair that waved down her neck and nestled in her substantial cleavage. He noticed one last detail around her hips. A scant strip of lace served as panties. She obviously put those on over the garters. He could strip them off and leave her in the corset and thigh-highs if he wanted to.
Oh. Sweet. God. He wanted to.
“Damn…” was the only word he could think to say as he walked the length of the room in about four long strides. His hands gripped around her ribs and he could feel the heat of their skin reacting through the satin and ribbings. He jerked her forward that way, her whole body following the constraints of the corset. She fell into him hard and let her hands rest at his chest.
He was no longer laughing with her playfully. Now he was so sexed-out he was ready to throw her down and take her hard. She looked at him with wide, expecting eyes, wanting the same thing. He hoped she was expecting the animal side of him, because that’s exactly where she took him the minute she dropped her robe.
He grabbed her by the hair as he searched her mouth with his desperate tongue. His other hand gripped at her back, bottom and shoulder with the full strength of his desire. She was the only woman to evoke this kind of passion from deep within, and he couldn’t turn it off. He jerked her hair back again to give himself access to her neck.
Excerpt two:
He walked down the steps and dropped his bag next to the couch. As always when upset, he walked to his keyboard, plugged his headphones to inject the music directly into his ears. He played deep, rhythmic pieces that spoke to the heavy feeling in his chest. He connected with the music and played whatever he needed to get some tension out of his shoulders. After a long while of playing piece after piece, he began to ease into a better mindset. Finally, he let himself think about Abby.
He focused on those lips of hers again. He loved to watch them speak. He loved her smile and that little focused bite of hers. He allowed himself to remember that study of her lips when she held herself still, simply so he could experience every millimeter of her beautiful mouth.
He had touched and explored and licked every warm surface of her while she laid beneath him so sweetly. He remembered exactly the pressure of her full bottom lip under his teeth, just as he imagined. As he let his mind wander through that exploration, a song started to form in his head.
He experienced that study of her lips again, but this time through his fingers on the keys. The notes started light and feathery, hesitantly, just like the kiss had. He let the song grow in intensity, moving up and down the scales. The melody played out the soft brushes of his lips and the deep moves of his tongue.
The rhythm moved slowly, then sometimes quickly. The crescendo and decrescendo matched the shifting intensity of his body’s response to her. The forte moments of the song mimicked every sensation when he was so lost in her. Then, much like that precise, beautiful moment with Abby, the song ended on a pianissimo, peaceful, soft chord.
He was in awe of the moment he just lived through. He remembered every note he played, and he played the melody again with his eyes closed. The music came from her memory, not from his creation. The music was her and for her.
I love a good love story. I reread the first kiss a few times before I read on…even in my own books. That moment gets me every time no matter how often I revisit that beautiful connection. I dive into every story to the point where I have so many fictional boyfriends that I can’t keep track of them all.
In the world of reality, I have a loving and tolerant husband who smiles and rolls his eyes every time I tell him about my latest fictional love affair. I have two autistic pre-teen boys who keep me on my toes. I have a psychotic Golden Retriever (I was told those don’t exist…) and a cat that rules our house. I used to be the queen. Our regal feline has usurped my throne and demoted me to Prime Minister.
I studied English/Journalism at Miami University in Ohio, have a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Dayton and I spent five years teaching even more personality-rich pre-teens. For some sick reason, I actually enjoyed teaching junior high. Now as a stay-at-home mom, I’m clinging to that status by throwing my hat in the author’s ring and hoping I get to keep it there.
Honoring her mother’s last wish, Lane Channing vows to follow her dreams. She takes the ‘big risk’ and leaves her small Kansas town behind and heads to LA, the city of dreams. She’s got a stellar job lined up, an old jeep, and 20 bucks to last her to her first paycheck. Her hopes shatter when she arrives to find her job’s been given to someone else. Now she’s broke and will soon be living on the
streets if she doesn’t do something fast. Welcome to cutthroat – Lane is most certainly not in Kansas anymore.
On the cusp of success…
Dillon MacAvoy has one goal–to become a star–whatever it takes. Even if it means honing his bad-boy can’t-be-tamed-and-forever-single image. Besides the image isn’t far from the truth. Dillon cares only about his younger brother and his career. He’s on the brink of superstardom if he can just decide on the next right script. But for that, he needs a script reader he can trust.
In a strange twist of fate…
Lane Channing is Dillon’s last chance. If Lane lasts the summer without becoming MacAvoy’s latest conquest, she’s guaranteed a job in entertainment. No problem, as long as she can ignore the heat that pulses through her every time Dillon is in the room. After all, love and commitment with a sweet, hometown girl would only ruin the Dillon MacAvoy brand.
My eyes fluttered open. I kicked my foot out from under the comforter on my bed. I’d had trouble falling asleep when I got back to the house. I flipped over my cell phone and glanced at the time—it was 2:07 a.m.and I was wide-awake.
Kong lay curled up on the pillow beside me while Scorsese and Spielberg slept at the foot of my bed. Bernie lay lengthwise beside me like a human. I ran my hand across Bernie’s thick fur. My heart hurt. Last week I’d felt bad for Dillon. I’d felt bad that he was trapped in a horrible place between his parents and his brother. Parents who, from what it sounded like, wouldn’t accept Choo for who he was, but yet still wanted to be a part of Dillon’s life.
But tonight?
Tonight I didn’t feel bad for Dillon. I felt angry and hurt and shocked at how intense all my feelings were. There were two Dillons and I kept ping-ponging between them. There was the guy who’d humiliated me when I was lost and then made me feel embarrassed again tonight. Frustration spiked through my chest as the feeling of embarrassment flooded through me with the two memories.
Then there was the other Dillon. The guy who’d rescued four dogs. The guy who smiled and gave me the keys to his car. The guy who was sexy as hell and seemed interested in what I had to say. That was the Dillon my heart hurt for. That was the Dillon I wanted to know and be around. That Dillon seemed to pop out, be wildly nice, and then immediately disappear. Maybe I was lucky that the sweet version of Dillon wasn’t around more. The jerky version I could work for and ignore.
He wasn’t someone who wanted a relationship. Already, I’d seen him with a multitude of different women. Dillon MacAvoy wanted me to walk his dogs and read his scripts. I brushed a stray hair back from my forehead. Something about Dillon pressed hard against my heart. I was drawn to him. When he’d grabbed my arm tonight, heat had jolted through me. When he’d whispered in my ear, even with the awful words he said, I still couldn’t catch my breath with him so near. I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to feel those giant hands on my body, stroking over me where no one had stroked before.
“Oh, yessss.”
A moan drifted up from the yard. When I’d gotten home, I’d taken two ibuprofen and pulled open my balcony doors before I’d gone to bed. I’d hoped the fresh air would cool my body and my mind.
“Please, yesss.”
My heart clenched and I scrunched my eyes closed. A hard, sick feeling lodged in my belly. The voice was female. There was only one man in this house who could cause a woman to moan like that.
“Yes, please, Dillon. Please.”
I didn’t want to hear this. I couldn’t stand to hear this. I slid my foot to the floor beneath my bed. I wouldn’t look. Looking would be so bad. I pressed forward across the floor to the balcony doors. I would pull the doors closed and then please, hopefully, I wouldn’t have to hear the things I definitely didn’t want to hear.
I placed my hand on the knob of the door, but instead of pulling the door closed, my body moved forward. My heart accelerated as though it would burst through my ribs. What would I see? My foot stepped out on to the balcony. Every good part of me screamed don’t do it, don’t look down, but every part that was curious had to peer over the balcony. I had to see.
I looked over the edge. The pool lights were on and an aqua glow lit the yard. The girl with the long black hair was bent over the outdoor lounger. Her eyes were closed and her mouth was open. Her tongue flicked over her lips as soft, deep moans flowed from her mouth. Pleasure rushed across her face. She was naked. Barebacked. Her breasts rocked rhythmically and her ink-black hair fell to the side of her face.
Behind her was Dillon. His hands clasped her naked waist with a tight grip. My fingertips covered my mouth. His face was clenched and his head rolled from side to side as he pumped his body into her. The muscles of his chest glistened. His biceps tightened. He threw his head back and opened his eyes.
Our gazes locked. His blue eyes seared through me—I was frozen. I couldn’t move. Heat surged through me while my eyes were anchored to him. Heat that pooled in my belly and between my legs. My heart pounded. The world tilted with the thought that burst into my brain.
I wanted to be that girl.
A growl coursed over his lips as he pumped into her and stared at me. Tingles cascaded over my skin. I wanted Dillon to strain and growl and be inside me. I’d never been any of that to any man, but I wanted to be that for Dillon.
I watched as she moaned and pressed backward. I watched as he thrust hard into her.
“Yes, yes!” the girl yelled.
The sound of her voice broke my trance. I jumped backward into the darkness of my room. I shouldn’t have watched. I shouldn’t want this.
Excerpt 2
I might have been straight out of the fly-over states, but I wasn’t a moron. I definitely didn’t appreciate the looks or the attitude being shot my way. I stood in the center of the human resources department in my new suit and my new heels with my new bag and my new haircut, expecting to start my new job.
“What do you mean my job is gone?” My fingertips tingled and my heart jolted in my chest. I stared wide-eyed at the blonde behind the human resources desk. She settled her chin on her hand. She looked bored. My problem was definitely not her problem. A part of me wanted to reach over and shake her.
“A client needed a summer internship for his brother.”
“But you have something else for me, right?” My voice grew louder as the idea of what was going down sank into my brain. “I just drove two thousand miles for a summer job.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I need the money.”
Her eyes slitted and she tilted her head. “It’s an internship,” she said. “You don’t get paid for an internship in entertainment.” Her eyes roamed over me and my sixty-dollar suit like I was a hick from Hicksville, USA. When was the last time this little girl had ever paid for anything on her own? Her HR assistant gig wasn’t paying for those Loubies on her feet, which were peeking out from under her desk. Damn, those were some great-looking shoes.
“What kind of company doesn’t pay a person for summer work?” I asked.
“The kind of company that gets five thousand résumés a week.” She rolled her eyes toward the ceiling as though she was educating a Neanderthal and not someone who’d just locked down her third year of college. She resettled her gaze on me. “Who do you even know to get in here?” she asked as though there had been some tragic mistake other than CTA giving away my internship to some overindulged rich kid and me believing my internship would be paid.
Who did I even know? I cocked my hip to the side and sucked in my cheeks. Little Miss Attitude was not so great at HR. “A friend of my mom referred me,” I said. “But I nailed the Skype interview.”
“Who’s your mom?” She twisted her blond extensions between her finger and thumb, suddenly interested that maybe I was somebody she should know.
A piece of my heart broke with the word mom on her lips. Who was my mom? She was my world—had been my entire world—with her wild, curly golden hair and bright blue eyes, eyes that always seemed to smile even when things were remarkably bad. Tiny pinpricks of heat started at the backs of my eyes and I swallowed and forced myself to concentrate on the entitled girl in front of me.
“That’s not important.” I cleared my throat and looked around the gray room full of cubicles. “Is there anyone else I can talk to? You know, about a real job?”
I’d rolled into L.A. on gas fumes and grabbed a bed and a shower in a Best Western. I didn’t know a soul in Los Angeles. I had approximately seventy dollars to last me until my first paycheck, and I dearly hoped one of my coworkers needed a roommate for the summer. Call me a gambler, call me a risk-taker, call me crazy—I’d been called worse—but when I found out I’d gotten the gig for the summer at CTA, the biggest entertainment agency in L.A., I didn’t think twice about hitting the road from Lawrence for my opportunity of a lifetime. Especially after the hell of the past year. The only problem was that it appeared that my “opportunity of a lifetime” had evaporated.
“You can talk to Nancy,” the blonde said and jerked her head toward the door. “She’s the head of HR, but she won’t have anything for you either. Not if you need money.”
A flush blossomed on my neck and bloomed on my cheeks. Who didn’t need money? Oh, right, rich kids with trust funds and parents that stole other kids’ jobs. Yes, I was one of those people that needed money. No daddy to bail my ass out, no mama with a trust fund to pay for my entire life. I had to actually work and get paid to have clothes, a car, a place to live, and even school.
“Take a seat. I’ll see if she has time.”
Half a day later, after meeting with two other people, both of whom seemed grandly perplexed that I would assume my internship was paid, I had no job, no internship, and in twenty-four hours most likely no place to stay.
About the Author
Maggie Marr grew up in the Midwest and made the move to Los Angeles to work in the movie business. She was a motion picture literary agent for ICM before becoming a full time writer. She’s written for film and TV and ghostwritten for celebrities. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and children.
Currently I am on Chapter 19 of 27 in the novel, Hard Glamour by Maggie Marr. This book has me so sucked in at this point of the story. At this point I have no idea how the story will end. Will the Hero and Heroine fall in love or just enjoy the summer and then go their separate ways? Looking forward to finishing the book and especially the sneak peek at the next novel in the series, Broken Glamour at the very end of , Hard Glamour!
Title: A Perfect Mistake (A Perfect Secret Series, #2)
Author: Zoe Dawson
Release date: December 22, 2013
Publisher: Blue Moon Creative, LLC
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mystery
Synopsis
How can they have a future when their past is based on a lie?
The perfect preacher’s daughter, Verity Fairchild, has something that only she and God know about and she wants to keep it that way. Her mistake was easy to keep secret when she was out of town, but now that she’s come back to Hope Parish for the summer, she comes face-to-face with the guy responsible for it all. Boone Outlaw nearly ruined everything for her and despite the fact that he’s now working at her father’s church, she’s determined to stay as far away from him as possible.
Boone Outlaw doesn’t understand Verity’s anger towards him. He barely knows her. In high school she was Holy Mary Verity and she was off limits – except in his dreams where Verity seems way too real. Most of the time he was wasted in high school, not the type of boy Verity would ever look at twice, but he can’t shake the feeling that something might have happened between them. He’s going to break his own rules to get the answers he needs straight from Verity.
What will Verity do when she finds something in Boone
that she never knew existed and her perfect mistake is the only thing that could stand between them and their happiness? Will she sacrifice Boone to keep her secret?
Zoe Dawson is the alter ego of Karen Anders, award winning, multi-published author. Her writing journey started with poetry and branched out into fiction. With a couple of college English courses under her belt, she penned a historical, then moved onto contemporary romance fiction. Today, she is happy producing romantic suspense, romantic mystery, urban fantasy and paranormal novels. The words feed her soul and the happily ever afters feed her heart.
A Perfect Mistake is the second book in Dawson’s, A Perfect Secret Series. The two books could be read as stand-alone’s, but book 2 may give away a spoiler or two about book 1. Also, certain sayings may pass you by unless you have read book 1, A Perfect Messand have an idea behind the reference. One good example would be the mention of, Braxton’s pink frilly apron in book 2. There is a great scene in book 1 where he is wearing said apron. But, that is all I am going to say about that, you will just have to read it to catch my meaning…
A Perfect Mistake, is set in a Louisiana Bayou town. This novel focuses on Verity Fairchild and Boone Outlaw. A Perfect Mess introduces the reader to the three recently graduated ladies and the Outlaw triplet brothers featured in the series. Verity is the Preacher’s daughter, Boone is one of the Outlaw triplets that has been judged by the town due to his name and a relative of generations past.
So far after reading both novels, I see several similarities. Both novels involve a specific secret(s) between an Outlaw brother and one of the three school chum gals. Social class and standing are issues, The females in the novels seem to be serious, smart, and wanting to change their lives moving beyond Suttontowne, to bigger and brighter futures. While the Outlaw brothers are happy living where they are. Have established lives of their own in the town. In each novel there are car issues, misunderstandings, feelings for someone they feel they shouldn’t, and calling someone they care about, Sugar.
I love the dialect in the novels. I am a southern gal, and love their southern voice creating the scene and telling the story. Instead of sure, they say shore; Geezus for Jesus; and I have no idea where Huckleberry came from, but it is a hoot when they call each other by this name.
The stories in the novels take place over the course of one summer. A Perfect Mess begins the series in May, with, A Perfect Mistake taking place in June that same summer. There has been mentions of the towns Founding Day event. So I believe that that dear reader is where book 3 will be leading us. To the end of summer and Founder’s Day.
In book 1, A Perfect Mess,readers are introduced to Verity as she is sitting at Braxton Outlaw’s restaurant. It is mentioned several time that she scowls, giving Boone the stink eye all the time. This creates interest and curiosity. Surely did in my case. Made me wonder just why Verity was so sassy when it came to the sight or mention of Boone Outlaw.
A Perfect Mess introduces readers to Aubree Walker. It is in the middle of the night and she is having a recurring dream/nightmare. Her phone rings and she is told of a family emergency. Next thing is she is in her way home, 2 hours away from her college. When she reaches home a terrible storms is taking place. And this is where Booker Outlaw is brought into the story.
Readers soon learn that Booker, along with his triplet brothers, Boone and Braxton have a bad reputation in their town. Aubree is a college student living two hours away from what was her home since the fourth grade. A terrible secret connects Aubree and Boone together. This secret is the reason she does not want to return home, ever. However, fate had other plans for Aubree and sends her right in the thick of where she did not want to be. Yet, while in her hometown, she will learn that hers is not the only secret to be revealed. But, dear reader, you will just have to read for yourself to see what these secrets are all about.
This was the first novel I have ever read by Author Zoe Dawson. I have to admit it was a nice change from my more adult reads. While reading I even had a craving for Cajun food. I still might venture out to a place close by so I can experience, Boudin sausage. But I am sure it will not be as good as Braxton’s recipe.
Songs from the Novel
A Perfect Mess, Ratings
4.0 Rosebuds of Writing Rave
Plot is well laid out and characters are rounded and described to a perfect T. Grammar and flow of the story, and the scenes creating story fall into a flow that have you wanting to know what is around the next page. While it also creates interest and intrigue into what the stories of the rest of the characters could be.
1.0 Tear-Drop Rave
It was only towards the end when the secrets were being revealed, that my emotions got the best of me and my heart went out to Aubree and Booker. Plus, I have to admit, the one secret revealed was very surprising to me. It was a good surprise, but it was still nothing I was expecting. A real twist in the story.
3.5 Romance Rave
From the moment in the novel when Aubree and Booker see each other for the first time in nine months readers feel a spark between these characters. Throughout the novel, this spark only grows brighter. The romance is not explicit, but is meaningful and emotional in how it is described and undertaken.
Would I recommend this novel? YES!! I love the Southerness of it, the sass of the heroine and the emotion filled ending. Plus, I just like the name Aubree for a girl. My husbands grandfather was an Aubrey, and if we ever had a girl I wanted to name her that. He did not share the feeling. So I am glad to see a female Aubree as the heroine of this novel. You go Girl!!!
I have not finished reading, A Perfect Mistake yet. Verity is a very entertaining character. I love her sass, quick thinking and her feisty attitude toward Boone. Part of the secret Verity holds inside of her is shared with Boone early in the story. However, all is not revealed. Boone has been having a recurring dream for the past months since graduation night, and he says ‘Fuck’ quite a lot. Verity is confused about her feelings for Boone, is he or is he not the jerk she thought he was after that night. That night that changed her life and created the secret eating away at her soul. So it will be interesting to see how this novel ends and how the secrets make their way through the novels plot.
So far I have found two quotes from the book that I like very much. Let me share them with you.
Women were sure passionate about their flowers, but my guess was that a lot of the beauty in the world came from women. I know my ma sure was one beautiful lady.
– Boone
I felt her hand in my jeans pocket, and she made a grab for what she thought was the bulge of my keys.“Not the keys,” I said as she grabbed my dick.My still hard dick.“Damn, Boone.”
I want to see Verity be BRAVE. To be able to share her secret with Boone. To stand up to her father, be the brave, confidant, and outspoken person she wants to be…
For all the Past glances and for the Future I hope Boone and Verity can have together…
The secrets in the two novels are similar to secrets that any woman could have. The setting of the secrets are written in a way that engages the reader and draws the reader into the story. Making this reviewer only that much curious, as to what River Pearl’s secret must be. For Aubree and Verity’s secrets are pretty big ones.
Whew!!! River Pearl and Brax have it out. Words are slinging faster than Brax’s spatula grilling frog legs at a family BBQ…
Chapter 17 was quite climatic, and a tear jerker (at least for me).
Will Verity’s secrets break her and Boone? What about her relationship with her father?
Like the Heroine, Verity, I also grew up in a religious family. We went to church every Sunday morning, night, and Wed. night too. My daddy read his bible every night before retiring off to bed. Even though he was my father and I loved him we were not very close. It seemed he could talk to my older siblings better than he could me. Seems no matter how young or old you are, it is hard to please our parents. I can feel the emotion and fear running through Verity. I just can’t wait to see how this novel ends…
And I just finished it. Lordy, my eyes hurt from crying through the last of the novel, Chapter 17 and onward. The ending was so sweet. Know I just want my ‘sugar’ here to cuddle and kiss. Such a good story. Now, sad to see it end. Plus have to wait till May 2014 (4 months) to read Book 3 in the series, Braxton and River Pearl’s story. Hmm, wonder if her founders day project holds the secret to that story? Wonder what Braxton will be ‘cooking’ up?
Here is a recipe from Verity, (and Braxton approved)
Preacher’s Daughter Potato Salad
Makes 4 servings
Prep 30 minutes. Cook 30 minutes. Ready in 2 hours.
Ingredients
4 potatoes
4 eggs
½ stalk of celery, chopped
¼ cup sweet relish
1 clove of garlic, minced
2 tbsps prepared mustard
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tbsp sugar
Paparika
Directions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes; drain and chop.
2. Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil; cover, remove from heat, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water; peel and chop.
3. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, eggs, celery, sweet relish, garlic, mustard, mayonnaise, cider vinegar, sugar and salt and pepper. Gently mix together.
4. Garnish top with sliced boiled eggs sprinkled with paparika and serve warm.
Try it, see if you like it, I am going to have to get my man-some, handsome cook to make it!!!
Ratings
4.0 Rosebuds of Writing Raves
Writing was detailed. I felt like I was in the bayou with the characters. Being a past preschool teacher I could feel the excitement of Little Henry and his relationship with Boone. Dawson took us on another frog gigging adventure. But none for me thanks… I was sucked into the story. The details of Verity’s clothing and Boone’s skill as a landscaper makes these characters pop right out at readers. I felt a kinship to Verity. She was the quiet, shy, preachers daughter. Yep, I was the shy and quiet deacons daughter. This book touched so many of my emotions…
2.5 Tear-Drops
There were a few tears here and there. I could tell Verity was hurting from keeping her secret inside so long and worried about Boone’s and her Father’s reactions. Yet, it wasn’t till Chapter 17 that the tears streamed constantly down my face. Then especially in Chapter 18 and the Epilogue. I used many a tissue for the end of this novel. Not sad tears, but emotional happy tears for how it all worked out. Sweet, sweet ending to a wonderful read!
4.0 Romance Rave
A Perfect Mistake was one LOVE of a read! Once the Hero and Heroine joined up, their love was hotter than the bayou on the hottest day in the summer. These two just could not keep their hands off one another. Plus you caught Booker and Aubree kissing too…
Yes, this read has more steam than Book 1. Verity and Boone really now how to make each others heart race. Readers, you also may learn a little about Jock Straps while reading this novel 😉
For 25 year old attorney, Hindley Hagen, life is all about staying one step ahead of the game. Avoiding surprises and keeping people at a distance is the only way she has to protect herself from the painful scars and shattered memories of her past. When Hindley is offered a new position at her prestigious Austin law firm as sports agent for pro skateboarder, Rory Gregor, she’s ready for the new challenge but completely unprepared for the man who captures her heart. Suddenly, Hindley is thrust into a world where protecting all their secrets could cost her everything; her family, her career, and maybe even her life.
Professional skateboarder and X Games royalty, Rory Gregor knows what it’s like to be at the top. But after two years of bad decisions and one-night-stands, he’s having to make a comeback he never anticipated. Hiring a new agent may be what his team thinks he needs to rebuild his career, but what if it costs him his heart in the process? Just when he thinks he’s posed for a comeback, secrets from his past threaten to ruin his chance for gold and a new love. In a sport where trust means everything, this time… it may not be enough.
Find out the dramatic conclusion to Rory and Hindley’ story in My Skater Boy (X-Treme Boys Series, Book 2), available now.
EXCERPT
***This novel contains adult material and language and is intended for mature readers only***
~ HINDLEY ~
I couldn’t tell if the pounding in my head was real or a dream. The throbbing was nauseating and I felt like I was on the Merry-Go-Round from Hell. The stench of cigarette smoke filled all my senses and I could feel my throat constricting. There was no way this could be real. I had to be in the middle of a dream, maybe even a nightmare.
What the hell happened last night? Come on Hindley, think! Suddenly, images flashed through my mind, pole dancing, Tequila shots, Gap Boy, and vomiting, lots of vomiting. Oh shit! All the sudden, my door flew open with a bang as the doorknob hit the wall.
“What the fuck is going on in here?” Dana screamed. Each syllable she uttered felt like daggers piercing my head. “Holy hell! You finally got laid!”
Dana Di Grazio was my best friend and I could always count on her to be as blunt as a sailor, with a mouth like one, too. I stretched my arms above my head, feeling every muscle in my body scream in agony. “What the hell are you talking about Dana?”
“That hottie next to you!” I stared at her in disbelief . “Look!” She said pointing to the other side of my bed. Oh shit!
I turned my head to see what Dana was pointing at and gasped in horror when I saw a man’s face less than a foot away from mine. I shot straight up in bed, pulling the covers up to hide my body as I tried to push as far away from him as I could.
“Holy hell!” Dana laughed. “You finally screwed some random dude from a bar.”
“I did not!”
She approached the bed as if she were going to rip the covers off. “Do y’all have any clothes on under there?”
“Dana, stop!” I shouted as I held the blanket tighter. I slowly lifted the covers and peered underneath, afraid of what I might find. I blew out a loud sigh as I saw I still had my tank top on from last night. And my bra! Oh, thank God!
“Stop what?” I heard a deep voice grumble. I diverted my gaze from his muscular chest up to his eyes. A slow tingle ran up and down my spine as I watched him pull his arms up over his head. His pose showed off every rippling muscle in his upper body and I beat myself up for not remembering being intimate with him last night.
“Good morning Drunk Girl. Enjoying the view?” His words were sweet and seductive and I wanted to hear him talk more, but I was mortified he’d caught me checking out his body.
Find out the dramatic conclusion to Book 1 of the X-Treme Boys Series, Skater Boy.
For the first time in her life, Hindley Hagen has something she’s always looked for, unconditional love. As the attorney and sports agent for X Games golden boy, Rory Gregor, she’s worked hard to help him make a comeback in a professional sport that isn’t always so forgiving. This time, he’s won more than just a gold medal, he’s captured her heart. But now, she’s trapped, caught in the snare of a man playing a deadly game. She must choose, protect the one man who’s made her come alive for the first time in her life or risk losing everything she’s worked hard for, including him. To save them both, Hindley must do the unthinkable or face a life without the one thing Rory Gregor has finally given her; hope. But protecting them means her own demons may surface and from that, there is no recovery. Hindley must learn the hard way, in love and life, there is no such thing as a safe secret.
Trust isn’t something that comes naturally to Rory Gregor. Even his own professional achievements as an X Games multi-gold medalist can’t wash away a childhood filled with abuse, which has left him with a lifetime of insecurities and self-loathing. But now, he’s finally found a woman who makes him feel the one thing in life he never thought possible-smart. With Hindley Hagen by his side, he’s skating better than ever, securing deals that could make them both rich. Yet something is off. Just as he gets inside the walls she’s constructed to guard herself, she pulls away again. She’s hiding something. But then, so is he.
As their need to protect one another grows to escalating heights with deadly consequences, will Hindley and Rory finally find the future together they so richly deserve? Or, will they discover the one thing that could destroy them both forever is actually each other? Find out in this exciting conclusion to the first book in the X-Treme Boys Series, Skater Boy.
EXCERPT
***This book contains adult situations and language and is intended for mature readers only***
RORY
“Rory,” she blew out.
“Yes, Hindley,” I smiled against her skin.
“I love you.” Her words sounded desperate and pleading and my stomach cramped with anxiety. I lifted off her completely.
“What’s wrong, Hindley?”
“Nothing,” she said, pulling on my neck. “I just want you to always remember, no matter what happens in the next thirty-five days, that I love you.”
I pulled her hand away from my neck and broke our embrace.
“What’s wrong? What are you talking about?”
She climbed back on top of me, taking my face in both her hands, searching my eyes for traces of something that I couldn’t comprehend.
“I’m talking about the fact that I love you more than anything or anyone on this earth. I’m talking about how I’d do anything to protect you, no matter what it is.”
Her words were soft and gentle but I still felt a tug at my heart that didn’t settle well with me. The feeling should comfort me and bring me great peace but tonight, I felt as if Hindley’s love for me may be her own undoing, a block around her neck that had the potential to drown her.
No matter how much I loved her, I would never let her be consumed by it. I had to be willing to pull away if ever my love endangered her life. My only problem was I was a weak motherfucker, a selfish bastard and I feared I wouldn’t be able to walk away from her if that time ever came. I shook internally, realizing I’d never survive without her but knowing one day, I might have to, to keep her alive. But tonight, she was all mine and I was going to enjoy her.
Kay Manis lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, daughter and five pound Chihuahua, affectionately named “Tiny.” When not writing or researching for her next novel, Kay enjoys spending time with family and friends, eating out, shopping and…her all time favorite – napping. Kay’s intent in writing is to keep you engaged, intrigued and entertained. As long as you keep reading, she’ll keep writing. You can contact Kay on her website at http://www.kaymanis.com
Leaving her past behind, Eve Hudson embarks on student life. Determined to take control of her life and move on from her turbulent past, Eve strictly orders no drama, no bullshit and definitely no relationships.
That was until she met deep and moody Jax Cooper, The vocalist for local band ‘Room 103’.
Jax is arrogant and egotistical, an alpha male straight through to his core, but so damn hot, and Eve soon finds his relentless pursuit of her, harder and harder to resist.
But both hold tortured souls and secrets, secrets that could blow their whole lives apart…literally.
Except sometimes it’s not secrets or damaged spirits that threaten their relationship…it’s life itself.
Eve soon finds out that if you’re going through hell, then the only way out the other side, is to just keep going.
This book contains explicit sex scenes, strong language, Self harm and lots of heartache. And of course…one hell of an alpha male.
I kept seeing good reviews for the Room 103 Series when I first starting blogging in Sept/Aug. 2013. So I finally decided to give it a try here recently. Now all I can say is, WHY did I not read it sooner??? Shocking Heaven is book 1 in the series. And it is absolutely AMAZING!!!!
There are several characters in this series. There is the band, Room 103, the Hero and Heroine, brothers, mothers, and even the British Mob!
Shocking Heaven introduces the reader to college students Eve and Jax. Thus, making this a New Age Genre read. Yet, this first novel covers around 5-6 years of time and contains a Part 1 and a Part 2. The whole novel is 50 odd chapters and contains a Prologue and Epilogue.
Every page takes the reader farther and farther into emotional situations. Let me forewarn you. If you are an emotional reader like I am, make sure you have lots of tissues handy. I am not ashamed (though my mother once told me it was silly for me to cry so over reading a book) that I had tears running down my face through the entire novel. Jax may play the guitar, but this novel really played on my heart-strings!
The Hero and Heroine hit nothing but brick walls all through the novel. Every time anything good seemed to be going either their way, they ladder of life would slide out from under them and they would be left dangling with a major life issue. Needless to say, Eve lives life according to her tattoos and lets nothing, NOTHING get in her way or slow or down. She is a very strong Heroine.
Both Eve and Jax come from very troubled and extremely unhappy families. Their childhoods were a struggle to survive. The two meet in college and well, you will just really have to read the book to see their adventure in Love.
Room 103 totally ROCKS!!! The novel is filled with mentions of music, and several that the band themselves wrote.
The theme of this book is to, NEVER GIVE UP!!!
Just read and find out what some of Eve’s tattoos say! They kept her going strong!!!
***
The author lives in England. So the dialect and the writing may confuse you a little. But, I know you can figure it out.
Just PLEASE read the novel if you have not already done so.
The New Age Genre is really not my go to read. I like my Hero and Heroine to be a little older. But this book did not disappoint in the least. It was very engaging and gave create details on the past of Eve, her brothers and Jax and his family life.
The ending will leave you happily surprised. Yes! That is the only spoiler I will give you!!!
***
Ratings
Romance- 5 Heart-Throbs!!!
One Very Sexy Read Indeed!!!
A 5-Tear Worthy Read
This novel is a total Emotional Roller-coaster Ride!!!
5-Rose Review
Writing was Excellent, Concise, Interesting, Evolving, Engaging
Well, I hope yer happy, Thayer. Ye ruined all our plans. Ye know, I did all of this for us, so we could be together. Ye and I are supposed tae be together. No’ ye and some foul human,” she snapped.
“Are ye daft, woman,” I asked incredulous. “Have I no’ fuckin’ made myself clear? I have told ye in every bluidy possible way that I want nothin’ tae do with yer arse and still ye continue pushing and pulling. Now even goin’ as far as tae torture my true Mate?” I strode toward her while I spoke, even as she backed away until her back was flat against the wall with nowhere else to go.
I had never hit a woman, but this one had pushed me so far that I was seriously considering it. I grabbed her shoulders tightly before continuing, “Rosalind, ye fuckin’ bitch, I have said it a million times, and I’ll say it again. I want nothing, nothing tae do with yer skanky, conceited, and conniving self. As far as I’m concerned, ye doona even exist. Yer nothin’ but my worst nightmare come tae life. Yer dead tae me. In fact, I’ll be pissin’ on yer grave when ye finally shrivel up and die. Doona look at me like that,” I said as she smirked.
I knew she was thinking that she would never allow herself to die. “Ye will die, Rosalind. Ye will either be killed by one of the others for just being yer nasty self, or ye will have chased everyone away with yer personality that ye will be so alone and beg for death. Honestly, for the first time, I wish we did no’ have that damn law about no’ killing within our pack because,” I leaned in close to her throat, “I’m just itching to tear into yer throat and end yer miserable excuse of a life.”
I shoved her to the floor and turned to walk over to where Tevin was now holding a limp Baylee. My heart dropped as I saw her battered face streaked with tears. She was unconscious, not dead. Thank ye, God, I thought.
“Ye will regret this, Thayer,” Rosalind screamed at my back. “I know ye will come crawlin’ back tae me. Ye will grow tired of havin’ tae be so easy with her. She’s breakable, no’ half the woman ye need in the bedroom.”
I laughed as I looked over my should at how pathetic she was. How had I never seen her for what she really was before? Was I really that blinded? Surely a part of me knew what a poisonous cunt she was. “Rosalind, lass, she’s a hell of a lot more of a woman in bed than ye ever were.” She glared at me and huffed as she got back on her feet and stomped past a struggling Sloan and out the door.
Standing in front of Tevin, I held my arms out to take Baylee from him. He handed her over gently, taking care to lean her head softly against my shoulder. My eyes roamed over every part of her I could see, taking in all the bruises, cuts, and wet and dried blood covering her tiny body. A deep growl erupted from my chest as I looked over at Sloan. He did all of this to her. I wanted nothing more than to march over there and rip his head from his body, but that would be too good for him. He deserved so much pain, torturous drawn out pain.
“Ye will pay for this, Sloan. This is no’ the end. Watch yer back.”
Adjusting Baylee as gently as possible, she whimpered against my shoulder, and her face contorted with pain. I had to swallow down the cry that threatened to burst from inside me. “My poor sweet, Baylee, please stay with me. I promise I won’t let anythin’ else happen tae ye. Just please…please doona leave me,” I whispered softly against her hair.
Here is an excerpt from book two in the series, Exiled From Midnight Cove. This has not been posted before. You are the first one’s to see it. Enjoy!
I couldn’t believe my eyes. I followed Baylee’s scent to this location and saw her pressed against a building laughing and kissing Logan. I swallowed hard and blinked my eyes several times hoping against hope what I’d seen wasn’t real. My eyes had to be playing tricks on me, but my sweet Baylee was indeed in the arms of another wolf. The wolf I had entrusted her life with while I fought for mine. While I fought for us.
Anger swept through my body completely taking over all of my senses. I growled and knew my eyes were flashing. I felt my teeth lengthen, and my face contort. I narrowed my eyes as he spun around to look in my direction. There was immediate recognition in his eyes, and he was terrified. Rightfully so too because I was going to rip him to pieces until there was nothing left to identify as a person or wolf.
I briefly registered Baylee trying to get around him and him trying to keep her behind him. Did he think I would actually hurt her? Or did he think I didn’t know that it was, in fact, her he just had his paws all over?
I lunged forward and grabbed him by the front of his shirt, throwing him several feet into the air before he landed about ten feet behind me. I didn’t allow him recovery time and pounced on him. I grabbed his head and slammed it into the concrete parking lot, stunning him furthermore. He dared tae touch what was mine? Another head slam to the concrete. He dared tae put his lips on My Mate? I punched his face repeatedly. Never again will he be able tae take what was mine! He managed to shove me up enough for him to get a good punch to my left eye. I was temporarily stunned, and he took advantage pushing me to my back. He grabbed the front of my shirt, and landed several more punches to my face. I grew angrier that he dared to fight back when he deserved to be punished for touching my Mate. Using my feet, I kicked him off of me, and climbed on top of him. I grabbed his arm and bit into his wrist, tearing his hand from him. I snarled and tore his other hand off. Try tae touch her now, ye bluidy bastard!
Baylee screamed, startling me out of my rage for a moment. I turned to see her with wide eyes, tears streaking her face, and her hands covering her mouth. I felt a brief feeling of regret. Not for what I did, but because I did it in front of her. It’d been months since we’d seen each other. She’d had plenty of time to actually fall in love with Logan. What if she was in love with him?
My eyes traveled hungrily over her. She looked beautiful. I had craved the sight of her for months, had begged God to let me smell her one last time, to feel her again. This had not been the reunion I had in mind. The reunion I’d imagined was me finding her, her jumping into my arms, and then me kissing her senseless. Instead she had been with the wolf, I sent her away with. It was my own stupidity really. What kind of male sends his Mate away with another male? I only had myself to blame if they’d fallen for each other.
“Get off of him, Thayer! What is wrong with you,” her beautiful mouth yelled at me. Something was wrong. I wasn’t hearing just our heartbeats. Someone else was near. They’d probably called the police already. It registered in my mind we were out in the open for all to see. I looked down at Logan, who was still howling in pain, but the bleeding had already stopped. Stumbling a bit away from them both, I looked around for the other heartbeat I was hearing. Where was it coming from?
I closed my eyes, and heard Baylee run to Logan. The wolf in me growled with satisfaction when I heard him telling her to get away from him and not to touch him. The heartbeat had moved when Baylee moved. Realization hit me, and my eyes sprang open. Baylee was pregnant? I’d fuckin’ kill him for sure!
Lots of Love and Happiness,
x Brittany Kayla
Exiled From Midnight Cove is coming soon!!!
Like my Facebook page to be one of the firsts to know when it’s published!
In an attempt to save his sister, Emily, from becoming a breeder, Devon Harris defies his alpha and flees his home with his sister. They seek refuge at his Uncle Rick’s ranch, unintentionally laying the foundation for a war between the packs. There he meets the fiery human Lark. In the midst of a war, does he dare let himself fall for her?
Rick Harris has been like a second father to Lark Davies since her parents died
in an accident three years ago. As the sole guardian of her younger sister and
the owner of her own bakery, Lark doesn’t have time for a social life. When
Rick’s nephew comes to town, sparks immediately begin to fly as Lark finds
herself drawn even further into the werewolf world.
Excerpt
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.
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.
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.
The novellas written by the 12 NA’s of Christmas will be on sale beginning December 1st! From December 1st-11th, each day one of the novellas will be highlighted around the book community. Today, the novella spotlight is Brave by Zoe Dawson. Check out the excerpt and enter the giveaway!
You can buy any of the 12 NA’s of Christmas titles on Amazon.
Synopsis
In the season of hope, in the season of giving…
How far would you go for your friend?
Alissa Thompson has been the good girl her whole life. Her uninterested parents don’t understand her hopes and dreams. But this Christmas when her steadfast childhood friend Charlie needs her more than ever, she can’t back down. Crossing the line means being braver than she has ever been in her life. It means changing and growing and taking a stand.
Dakota Gray was brave in the face of debilitating fear. But he lost himself in that blood soaked day and has shunned everything he once knew. Now shattered and broken, he hides out in isolation, his wounds beyond healing. His heart closed, his emotions buried, he’s a man on the edge of self-destructing. Little does he know that courage would be found in another searching for the strength to be brave.
Now snowbound in the Colorado Rockies one week before Christmas, Alissa thought this was about her journey and her friend, about setting him free. But from the moment she meets Dakota, she learns about what real bravery is all about. What real love is all about. But is the season enough, her courage enough, her love enough to heal this hero’s brave heart and in the end set herself free?
EXCERPT
Dakota
I was vibrating with the memory of her skin against mine. The sounds of her distress had triggered another flashback. It wasn’t her fault. She hadn’t meant to do it. But after four months of successfully keeping the flashbacks at bay, I’d had two in her presence in less than an hour. She’d only been worried about her own burden. I didn’t know what it was, but I recognized the sadness in her eyes. The loss of something precious.
But it was her scent that had brought me back, the glorious feel of her arms around me. None of this made sense, though. I barely knew her, but it was as if our hearts knew each other. I didn’t normally go in for that kind of crap, but it was true.
I closed my eyes thinking about how close her lips had been to mine. It had been such a long time since anyone had touched me. It had felt so good, so f**king great, but I couldn’t allow myself to get used to it. I’d come here for the isolation, to suffer alone with my failures and pain. No one was allowed to help me. I couldn’t bear it, no longer had the courage to try.
Seeking calm, I focused on getting Alissa’s dishes washed. I knew I had to touch her again and I didn’t want to. But she was injured. She couldn’t walk with her sprained ankle. She probably thought I didn’t want to touch her, but that wasn’t the real truth. I did want to touch her. I ached to. But once the snow stopped and she did what she came to do, she’d be gone. I’d be alone again. That didn’t hold as much appeal as it had only a few hours ago.
I bent down and slipped my arms around her, gritting my teeth as my senses stretched open painfully, like muscles that hadn’t been flexed in a long time. My whole being cried out for the comfort, for the simple human contact. I went down the hall adjacent to the kitchen to the spare room next to mine. I wanted her close, in case she needed me.
You can buy this book or any of the 12 NA’s of Christmas titles on Amazon.
About the Author
Zoe Dawson is the alter ego of Karen Anders, award winning, multi-published author. Her writing journey started with poetry and branched out into fiction. With a couple of college English courses under her belt, she penned a historical, then moved onto contemporary romance fiction. Today, she is happy producing romantic suspense, romantic mystery, and paranormal novels. The words feed her soul and the happily ever afters feed her heart.
The 12 NA’s of Christmasauthors are Marquita Valentine, Zoe Dawson, Chelsea M. Cameron, Tiffany King, Breena Wilde, Sawyer Bennett, Magan Vernon, Sarra Cannon, A. Meredith Walters, Shelly Crane, and Addison Moore.
4 out of 5 read-ologists recommend this WordPress.com site. ups and downs of writer's insanity and day to day life. I will write whatever makes the voices happy, for a writer that ignores her inner voices is merely a mental breakdown waiting to happen. Keeping the voices happy and creating new worlds for them to play in is my main goal.
Anna 
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