***REVIEW*** Catching Whitney by Amy Hale

 

Title: Catching Whitney

Author: Amy Hale

Reviewer: Angie

Rating: 5 Stars

 

REVIEW

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this novella by Amy Hale! It was a quick read that left me satisfied, and, yet, excited to read more about Aiden and Whitney (and Lindsey and Blaine).
The premise is fun, and very relatable, especially for an elementary teacher. Whitney and her best friend, Lindsey, go to a town miles away from their own, so they can have a fun Girl's Night Out and not worry about embarrassing themselves in front of students' parents or coworkers. What Whitney doesn't realize is that the world is a small place, and one night will come back in a most interesting way. She has to decide if that is a good thing, or not.
I love the care Whitney has for her students and the fact that this story made teaching a huge part of Whitney. Although this book was based on romance (and definitely did a great job with it), her career was an integral part of the story. I found this very realistic, and refreshing. It wasn't about billionaires, or people who didn't seem to have to go to work, but about what real people may fantasize about.
I sincerely hope to read more with these characters and will definitely read more Amy Hale works.
I received an ARC in return for an honest review.

 

BLURB

 

My name is Whitney Dawson, and I suck at love. I’m not exaggerating. My relationships don’t just end; they die a horrible, agonizing death.

With a nasty break up behind me, and my mind made up to avoid relationships like the plague, I try to enjoy a girls’ night out with my best friend Lindsey. That’s where I meet Aidan. Despite my reservations, I agree to one mind-blowing, amazing, curl your toes night with the hottest guy I’ve barely met, knowing full well that I’ll never see him again. Or so I think…

As a teacher with a new school year in full swing, I contact a parent about a new student and end up face to face with Aidan. His son is in my class, and avoiding this widowed dad, and any complicated emotional entanglements falling for him will bring, becomes a test I may very well fail.

Should I take the cowardly way out, or give love one more chance?  

 

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About the Author

 

 



Amy Hale is a best selling author, mother, and wife living in Southern Illinois. Her husband and kids are the center of her universe, although her cat believes otherwise. She also loves reading, music, and photography.

Amy started her writing career in 2003 with non-fiction and educational pieces, but decided to take the leap to fiction in 2014. Her whiteboard is full of crazy ideas and she's always plotting new projects. She's a hopeless romantic and adores all the various ways a love story can be told. Amy also loves comedy, mystery, suspense, and other action filled stories, so her goal is to blend action and fun in with the romance and keep you on your toes.

Learn more at www.authoramyhale.com

 



**REVIEW** Within This Frame by Lindy Zart

 

 

Title: Within This Frame

Author: Lindy Zart

Reviewer: Angie

Rating: 5 Stars

 

 

REVIEW

 

Do you believe in second chances? Third? Fourth? At what point do you take a stand and say, "No more!"? What if there were extenuating circumstances that explained the other person's bad behavior? Does forgiving someone make you weak, or strong? The answers to these questions will most likely be different, depending on your previous experiences AND how you feel about YOURSELF. Within This Frame made me think about all those questions and, by the end of the book, I actually changed some of my answers. Lindy Zart has a way of making me laugh and cry, all while making me think deeply, without my own knowledge.

Lance and Maggie were childhood celebrities, and yet they were completely relatable (sometimes it was almost scary how similar their story was to my own). I wanted to dislike Lance, but the more I got to know him, the more I was rooting for him. On the other hand, I thought that Maggie forgiving him would make her weak. The hurt was too deep. As I read their story, I realized that once Maggie loved herself, WHATEVER decision she made, was the right one. And the same went for Lance. I was good with whatever ending they/she (Zart) chose.
I highly recommend this beautiful story. 

 

BLURB

 



 It comes in the mail—a beautiful invitation that promises humiliation and horror. Unless Maggie Smiley, former child celebrity and now overweight recluse, gets her courage and motivation in check, along with her health.

The phone call offering fitness expert Lance Denton a chance to work with Maggie Smiley promises retribution. He messed up a lot as a punk kid on the too-fast road to stardom, and how he treated his co-star never left him. It is that—and a long list of secrets she doesn’t need to know—that has him show up at Maggie’s doorstep.

 

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EXCERPT

 

His eyes went smoky, his expression and stance set for wooing.

“Stop it. I’m immune.”

“Since when? That kiss we shared a few days ago says otherwise.”

Maggie blinked, warmth flooding her veins at the reminder. “I was acting. I’m an exceptional actress.”

 

“Mmm. Is that so?” Lance rubbed a thumb over his mouth, and her eyes were drawn to the motion. She wasn’t able to look away until he dropped his hand. “Even you can’t act that well.”

Briefly pausing behind the couch, she pointed the remote control at the television and pressed the ‘on’ button. “Let’s see what form of debauchery Lance Denton gets his pleasure from when he’s alone.”

 

He caught her around the waist, the force of his movement and his weight toppling them forward and over the back of the couch. It was too late—the sound of young, familiar voices filled the air. Face down on the couch cushion and legs in the air, and with Lance beside her, she lifted her head to look at the television screen.

 

The air stopped inside her lungs. Maggie watched for a moment, not able to talk. It was them during an episode of ‘Easier Said’, crazily in love with one another. Struck hard with emotion, she swallowed, striving for nonchalance when her insides were screaming with yearning. Maggie placed her chin on her fist and continued to observe the younger versions of Lance and Maggie. Lance was quiet beside her, and that was just as well. She didn’t know what to say to him right then.

 

“This would make a great yoga pose,” she said after a time, her neck and back stretched to the point that they were sore.

 

When Lance didn’t respond, she finally turned her head to look at him. He wasn’t watching the television—he was watching her. The look on his face was open and raw, like a wound always kept hidden, until one day, it could no longer remain so.

 

Swallowing hard, she looked down. “You watch these a lot?”

 

“Yes.”

“Why?”

 

“They make me happy.”

Maggie looked up in time to catch his sardonic smile as he added, “And nostalgic, and maudlin.”

 

Unveiled as they were, she couldn’t take the look in his eyes any longer, and needing somewhere else to focus, Maggie chose his lips. It was a bad idea—perfectly chiseled, hard when they should be, soft when necessary, a shade of mauve that couldn’t be replicated—she wanted them on hers.

 

As though reading her mind, and knowing what she desired, Lance dropped his attention to her mouth. When he looked up, his eyes were midnight blue with lust. “I think, if I’m going to remain uninvolved with my clients, I must forbid you to look at me like that.”

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lindy Zart is the USA Today bestselling author of Roomies. She has been writing since she was a child. Luckily for readers, her writing has improved since then. She lives in Wisconsin with her family. Lindy loves hearing from people who enjoy her work. She also has a completely healthy obsession with the following: coffee, wine, bloody marys, peanut butter, and pizza.



 

FIND LINDY AT:

 

Google.com/+LindyZart

Twitter.com/LindyZart

Facebook.com/LindyZart

Lindyzart.com

Lindyzart@gmail.com

Listen to the playlists for Lindy’s books on Spotify.com

Get an eBook autograph from Lindy at Authorgraph.com

Check out Lindy’s YouTube channel.

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 



**COVER REVEAL** Dangerous Love (Unforgiven Series #1) by Liz Lovelock

Title: Dangerous Love

Series: Unforgiven Series #1

Author: Liz Lovelock

Cover Designer: Soxsational Cover Art

BLURB

Is love really dangerous?

For Jay Jones love has been nothing but heartbreak. After her boyfriend walks out, leaving her with no money, an empty apartment and the pain of loss, she vows never to love again. To never allow someone to claim her already shattered heart. Years later, Jay has slowly moved forward with her life, but the cloud of sorrow and fear of getting hurt once again always claws away at her soul.

Now a first-rate police officer, a new undercover assignment forces Jay to reassess her insecurities and build a relationship of trust with her new partner.

The one person who can save her from the hellish crimes is the one man who dragged her to hell already.

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**RELEASE BLITZ** Slide (Black Addiction #1) by T. Gephart

Title: Slide

Series: Black Addiction #1

Author: T. Gephart

Genre: Rock Star Romance

 Release Date: November 16, 2015

Blurb

Touring as an opening act for a huge rock band and landing a record contract means you’ve hit the big time, right?

Sadly, neither of those things gave Rusty Crawford, lead guitarist of the band Black Addiction, worldwide fame and fortune. Which was a shame because he had the lifestyle down to a fine art—without the clichéd stint in rehab.

Even being back in the Bronx, paying his dues didn’t rattle the charismatic axe man, ladies loved him and men wanted to be him. Fate would just have to catch up. Seemed like fate had more than just a platinum album planned for his future.

Alison Williams had the perfect life. Or at least she did until her world came crashing down around her, in the most epic way.

With her future no longer a certainty she finds herself out of her comfort zone and into unchartered territory—a place where Rusty Crawford likes to spend most of his time.

Will the charming and ridiculously hot rock god help her find her feet, or send her further down the rabbit hole? One thing was for sure; both of them were in for the ride of their lives.

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Excerpt

“Hello, ladies.” His voice purred, sending vibrations through my body.

It was him. My beautiful mystery man. The one who I’d seen plenty but never spoken to. He was standing in front of me, smiling.

In hindsight, I shouldn’t have been so surprised. There weren’t many bars in our little neighborhood where you didn’t need a Hep C shot before you entered. This particular establishment promised an impressive beer menu without the risk of a communicable disease, so it would stand to reason he would know about it too.

“Hi.” Was all I was able to manage, convinced he was probably talking to someone else. Perhaps he meant the Amazonian redhead who was sitting to my left, openly staring—that would make a hell of a lot of more sense. They could probably shoot joint commercials for teeth whitener and make adorable, if not freakishly tall, children together.

“I couldn’t help but notice your friend stole your drink. Ordinarily I’d overlook such thievery, but I’d hate for there to be a brawl in my favorite bar. So in the interest of keeping the peace, I’d like to replace it for you.” His voice smooth, as was his delivery. I had to remember to breathe.

“She wasn’t going to drink it, but you can totally buy her another drink,” Renee answered before I’d gotten the chance. Her smile widened as she turned to face me and mouthed the words “he’s hot.” She needn’t have bothered; his hotness was not something that needed to be confirmed.

“That’s okay, I’m good.” Thankfully words came out of my mouth even if they sounded in no way intelligent.

“Well, glad to hear you’re good. Nice to meet you, my name is Rusty.” He smiled as he moved in closer, his hand signaling the bartender. “What were you drinking?”

In what I can only explain as temporary insanity—probably from the shock of having the beautiful man talking to me—I blurted out, “I have a boyfriend.”

I officially wanted to die.

While I did have a boyfriend, and hopefully in a few hours I would be moving into his upscale apartment, there was no reason to announce it so dramatically. Almost as if to prove that I hadn’t secretly fantasized about him while in the shower every day this week—which I had. Sweat prickled at my brow.

“Is that some code for you’re not thirsty?” Rusty’s lips curved in amusement. While the words weren’t sexy, the humor in his voice was a definite turn on, a hot button straight to my libido as he stood there grinning at me.

“No, I-I just mean I can’t accept . . .” What was the word again? “A drink from you.” Yes, that’s what I wanted to say. “Or . . . or anyone else. N-not just you.” My mouth tried to regain some composure. It really wasn’t doing a great job.

“Well, would you look at the time? I have a thing, wouldn’t want to be late.” Renee tapped her naked wrist—her watch missing in action, as was her tact. “Call me, Ali.” She gave me a hug and whispered, “If you don’t screw this guy, you’re dead to me.” And just like that, she evaporated from the room.

Awesome.

“Your friend always bail on you like that, Ali?” Rusty’s voice curled seductively around my name as he smiled, moving to the barstool Renee had vacated.

“It’s Alison.” Ali was just too personal, like him kissing me on the mouth. I totally would not have been okay with that. Mostly.

Author Bio

T Gephart is an indie author from Melbourne, Australia.

T's approach to life has been somewhat unconventional. Rather than going to University, she jumped on a plane to Los Angeles, USA in search of adventure. While this first trip left her somewhat underwhelmed and largely depleted of funds it fueled her appetite for travel and life experience.

With a rather eclectic resume, which reads more like the fiction she writes than an actual employment history, T struggled to find her niche in the world.

While on a subsequent trip the United States in 1999, T met and married her husband. Their whirlwind courtship and interesting impromptu convenience store wedding set the tone for their life together, which is anything but ordinary. They have lived in Louisiana, Guam and Australia and have traveled extensively throughout the US. T has two beautiful young children and one four legged child, Woodley, the wonder dog.

An avid reader, T became increasingly frustrated by the lack of strong female characters in the books she was reading. She wanted to read about a woman she could identify with, someone strong, independent and confident and who didn't lack femininity. Out of this need, she decided to pen her first book, A Twist of Fate. T set herself the challenge to write something that was interesting, compelling and yet easy enough to read that was still enjoyable. Pulling from her own past "colorful" experiences and the amazing personalities she has surrounded herself with, she had no shortage of inspiration. With a strong slant on erotic fiction, her core characters are empowered women who don't have to sacrifice their femininity. She enjoyed the process so much that when it was over she couldn't let it go.

T loves to travel, laugh and surround herself with colorful characters. This inevitably spills into her writing and makes for an interesting journey - she is well and truly enjoying the ride!

Based on her life experiences, T has plenty of material for her books and has a wealth of ideas to keep you all enthralled.

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** ARC REVIEW** November 9 by Colleen Hoover

Releasing November 19, 2015

Blurb

Beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover returns with an unforgettable love story between a writer and his unexpected muse.

Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day of her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.

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Lady T Review

5 Shining Stars

I read something once before I started this post, that Colleen posted. It said this is her best book and her favourite she has written. So I was intrigued, I love most of her books. Her writing is brilliant, she doesn't go into boring description, you know the ones where you skim in a book? Yeah we all do, well I know I do. But I can honestly say, NOT once did I skim a word she wrote in this.

The book starts off with Fallon in a coffee shop, she meets up with her father. Who in my opinion is an ass. And in the first part of the book you meet Ben. Scrubby looking Ben, who saves her from a situation, and in doing so. Creates a more controversial situation. 

"You'll never be able to find yourself if you are lost in someone else" *Sigh*

The book carries on from there, they click, the laugh, they even kiss. But nothing more comes of it, no phone numbers exchanged. except the simple rule. They will meet the same time and date every year. We don't get to see what happens in between, though you don't need it. As I said the writing is beautiful. And as Colleen has said, its her best work yet. 

I don't want to give to much away, just let the characters take you away. Read as the drama sneaks up on you, fall in love with both.

P.S. I love the intertwined characters that join in. 

I clap my hands to you Colleen, this book would be a great movie. One I would pay top dollars to see. LOVE IT.

Liz Review

4.5 Stars

Well I was very surprised by the epic twist to this story. I can usually see what's coming in books but nope I got the wind knocked right out of me this time. It was GREAT!

I do love Colleen Hoover and the way her magical writing engulfs you, and draws you into her stories. November 9 started off a little slow for me, but after the first part it took off, and I just wanted to know what that next year will hold for both Fallon and Ben. Yes my heart got ripped out and I found myself thinking "How could you do that?" I even was laughing out loud at certain parts., 

This book has everything from love, laughter, sadness, heartbreak and something that will always bring a smile to your face. 

Getting to know Fallon and Ben has been great and I love them both, I highly recommend this book. Colleen has done an amazing job with this book.

**RELEASE BLITZ** A Complicated Summer of Love (Complicated Love #3) by D.M. Midgley

Book: A complicated Summer Of Love

Series: Complicated Love #3

Author: DM Midgley

Genre: Contemporary 

Cover By: Swish Design

Hosted By: Francessca’s Romance Reviews

Synopsis

Seven people.

Two couples.

One love triangle.

Annabelle thought that sharing a holiday with her friends would be the perfect way to spend a break. She never would have guessed that it would end with a secret that could threaten her future with Joshua.

Karl vows to win Tracy after telling her that she belongs with him. Can he prove to her that she’s the one and they deserve a chance at happiness?

Brandon, Lily and Maddison are stuck in a love triangle that no one wants. Maddison has secrets of her own, Lily is scared of commitment and wants to enjoy herself, and Brandon is stuck. Stuck between a woman he can’t stop thinking about and a woman that pursues him incessantly. 

This isn’t going to be the relaxing, calming, enjoyable summer holiday that these friends thought it might be. This could quite possibly be, a complicated summer of love.

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About The Author

She lives in England, UK and is married with two children. At the moment she is a stay at home mum whilst her son is still at nursery.

She used to be a blogger for two blogs before writing the Complicated Love Series and she really enjoyed helping other authors whenever she could. 

She loves reading and remembers her first book read on her kindle was Little Women and as a kid she loved reading Disney stories, her favourite was peter Pan. 

The idea for her debut novel, A Complicated Love came about rather abruptly one night in a dream. she wasn't sure whether she could get it down on paper; however with much needed support by her author friends she has gained motivation and confidence to write her novel, This has greatly helped her inspiration and self-belief to grow. She never expected that one book would result in a series being born. 

You can follow her on facebook, goodreads and twitter for all the latest information and future projects.

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A Complicated Love #1

EBOOK:

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An Unexpected Love #2

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**RELEASE BLITZ** The Road The Leads To Us by Micalea Smeltzer

Title: The Road That Leads To Us

Series: Us Series (standalone)

Author: Micalea Smeltzer

 Release Date: October 27, 2015

Blurb

Things are about to get rocky for Dean Wentworth and Willow Wade.

Willow Wade is used to living in the spotlight, with her father a famous drummer in the band Willow Creek—her namesake—it’s been a lot to live up to and oftentimes she doesn’t feel she’s enough. But there has always been one person she could turn to.

Dean Wentworth knows a thing or two about how crippling a name can be. His family is worth billions after all. But Dean’s always been content to do his own thing. Play his guitar. Work on cars. And geek out to his various “nerdoms”.

But when Willow turns up unexpectedly, he realizes maybe there is more in life he wants.

Her. 

One trip will change their lives forever.

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Excerpt

Those bitches were gonna die.

That was a horrible thing to say about my so-called ‘friends’—and I used the word friends loosely, because true friends wouldn’t ditch you the day of your scheduled road trip because they’d rather be sunbathing in the Hamptons.

The fucking Hamptons.

Ew.

I mean, how clichéd could you get.

This was why I hated rich people.

It also sucked that I was one of those rich people.

Well, I wasn’t, but my dad was.

So by extension so was I.

When you grew up with a rock star for a dad, cameras and eyes followed you everywhere. It was exhausting.

I couldn’t just be Willow.

I was Willow Wade.

The daughter of the famous drummer Maddox Wade.

People expected greatness from me.

I just wanted to graduate college without slitting my wrists.

Author Bio

Micalea Smeltzer is a bestselling Young and New Adult author from Winchester, Virginia. She’s always working on her next book, and when she has spare time she loves to read and spend time with her family.

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**RE-RELEASE BLITZ** Winter Wolf by Rachel M Raithby

Skyscape ~ “inspired stories from new and established authors, offering teen, young adult, and crossover readers remarkable books from contemporary to science-fiction to fantasy and more.”

 

Katalina Winter was prepared for life to change when she turned eighteen—but she never expected to actually change.

Learning that her birth parents were purebred wolf shifters is shocking enough. Now she’s expected to take her place in their unfamiliar world. Caught between two warring packs, Katalina must learn fast. One pack, led by the father she has only just met, wants to control her—and the other one wants her dead.

However, there is one bright spot to shifting, and his name is Bass Evernight. Tall, dark, and oh-so-handsome, Bass is the wolf that Katalina craves. He’s also strictly forbidden: a member of Dark Shadow, Bass is the son of her father’s mortal enemy. Yet deep down inside, Katalina’s new primal instincts howl that Bass is her mate. Can their love bring an end to the brutal war that has raged for so long, or will it spark the fighting around them into an all-consuming fire?

Revised edition: This edition of Winter Wolf includes editorial revisions.

Universal Amazon Link myBook.to/WinterWolf


Kindle Amazon US http://amzn.to/1W2sPv7


Paperback myBook.to/WinterWolfPaperback


Audio myBook.to/WinterWolfAudio

 

 

“Shit!” Her leg gave way under her. Katalina sprawled face-first into the snow, the cold shocking the breath from her. She lay in the piercing cold, feeling the snow bite into her fingers, the chill frigid against her skin. “What was I thinking, boy?” she asked her dog as she sat up with a grunt. “I’m never going to make it to the bus stop, and even if I did, they’d never let you on anyway.”

It was tempting to lie back down and not move, to allow the snow to numb her body to the point beyond pain. A trickle of wetness rolled down her face. Katalina so desperately wanted to be home, in her family’s front room, watching TV. The fire roaring, its crackle and hiss the homiest of sounds. Only Katalina could never have that again. She’d never have the chance to enjoy another Sunday family dinner, or listen to her parents’ playful banter. She buried her head in her hands, tears dripping through her fingers and freezing on the snow. Arne whined, trying to comfort her with a lick and nudge.

“I know, boy,” she mumbled through her broken sobs, “I know.”

There was a rustle up ahead, further into the woods. Katalina lifted her head, squinting into the gloom of the trees. She scanned the area for movement. Arne growled low, the slightest of rumbles vibrating up his chest. Slowly, she climbed to her feet, her eyes never leaving the woods.

Arne barked.

“What is it, boy?” He positioned himself in front of her. “Show yourself!” she called, taking a few steps into the trees.

The wolf stalked from its hiding spot, eyes wary, hackles raised, its dark fur startling against the white snow.

“You,” she whispered, recognizing it as the dark wolf she’d felt drawn to in the shed.

Arne barked louder, jumping forward.

“No boy, come here!” she commanded, stopping Arne in his tracks.

The wolf studied her for what seemed like forever. Katalina couldn’t stand the silence anymore. “Are you a shifter, too?” she asked.

He didn’t answer.

“You’ve lost it, Kat, talking to a wolf,” she muttered to herself.

Before her eyes, the wolf morphed into a naked boy. “Yes, I’m a shifter, but not from your pack.” His voice vibrated through the air, low and brassy, pleasing to her senses.

“So you’re here to kill me then?” she asked, surprised at her calmness.

“I should be, but for some reason, I seem unable,” he answered, his voice void of emotion.

“That’s comforting,” she sneered.

“I imagine it is,” he stated. His face remained stoic.

Katalina burst out laughing. Is this guy serious?

“What’s so funny?” he asked, genuinely curious.

“You! Are you always so . . . literal?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

Katalina shook her head. “Never mind. So if you’re not here to kill me, then why are you here?”

“You intrigue me, Katalina Winter.”

“You know my name,” she said, shocked. Everyone knows my name.

“Most know your name but not your face.”

“Well, that’s something I suppose.”

Silence fell between them. He stared at her as intently as he had when he was in wolf form. She found herself taking an unsteady step, an invisible force drawing her to him.

He frowned, looking down at her leg. “You are still injured?”

“I’m f—” Her leg crumpled. She braced for the cold snow, but he’d crossed the space between them in a blur of movement, catching her inches before impact.

Stunned, she stared openmouthed as he set her on her feet. This close she noted every detail. His hair was just long enough to tangle her fingers into, and the urge to do so was a potent thing. His bare chest was a solid muscled wall, and her fingers flexed where they rested, trailing through a smattering of dark hairs.

“Why haven’t you healed yet?” he asked, oblivious to her wandering thoughts.

“What? Oh, I . . .”

He leaned forward, breathing deeply at the curve of her neck.

“Did you seriously just sniff me?” she asked, shocked at the strangeness of the past twenty-four hours.

“Yes, I was just getting your scent.”

“Scent?” she asked, bewildered.

“Yes.”

“Shifters are strange,” she muttered to herself.

“You’re a shifter, too.”

“So I’ve been told,” she grumbled, still hardly believing it herself.

“Though you’ve never changed, have you?” He continued, not giving her a chance to answer. “Your father left you vulnerable. He has been foolish keeping you away so long. He’s left you weak. You’ll need your wolf to protect yourself.”

“Mmm.”

“Why are you out here alone? Unprotected? You should rest. You will need to have healed enough before the next full moon, for the change to go smoothly.”

His reference to change had her refocusing on his words, and not on the expanse of his chest. Tired of the wolf talk, she snapped, “I’m going home.”

He frowned. “Is that not home?” He gestured in the direction of the old farmhouse from which she’d escaped.

“No, those people are strangers to me. I don’t trust them. They took me away from my home.”

“You are the alpha’s daughter. No one will hurt you there.”

“That man is not my father. My father is”—she swallowed the lump in her throat—“is dead.”

Wiping the tears from her eyes, he murmured, “Don’t cry.”

Don’t cry? Don’t cry? “Why not?” Katalina stepped back from his hold, not caring about her wobbling feet. “I watched my parents die last night.” She stared at the ground, not seeing the snow-covered earth, but the crash. “Wolves attacked, almost killing me, and then I woke up in a strange bed, with strange people telling me I’m a shifter, and that I need to come back because my blood is pure and they want me to keep the line going. I turned eighteen yesterday. The last thing on my mind is children, and I most certainly will not be told whom I’m supposed to marry. And that man who claims to be my father . . . Where’s the proof? He doesn’t even look like me. For all I know, he’s just some nut job.”

Katalina sucked in a deep breath, lifting her eyes from the ground to meet his. “What better reason is there to cry?” Her cheeks heated as she realized she’d ranted to a complete stranger and told him things she maybe shouldn’t have.

He studied her. “Very well. If you’d like to go home, I’ll take you, but first you need to go back and heal.”

“What? Really?” She hadn’t expected that answer. She’d expected him to run for the hills after all she’d said.

“Yes, that’s what I said, isn’t it?”

“But why?”

“You intrigue me.”

“That’s not a reason.”

“Yes, it is.”

“You are very frustrating,” she laughed, surprised she still had it in her to. Around him, things seemed a little better. Her reaction to him was confusing, and Katalina added it to her mental list of things that didn’t make sense.

“Am I?”

Shaking her head, Katalina wrapped her arms around herself, trying to get warm.

“You are cold,” he stated.

“A little.”

“Right, time for you to go back.” He scooped her into his arms.

“Put me down!”

Arne barked.

“Shush!” he growled at Arne. To her he said, “You’ll only do yourself more damage. I’ll carry you back.”

“You can’t just go around picking people up without permission!”

“Do you have a problem with me carrying you?”

“Well, yes,” she muttered.

“Why?” he asked.

“You have no clothes on!”

He laughed at her. It rumbled in his chest and did funny things to her heart.

“You’ll have to get used to that. Being naked is just part of life when you’re a shifter.”

“Aren’t you cold?”

“A little, when I’m like this, but as a wolf, no. You’ll see how strong and resilient we are, after you’ve changed.”

“I’m not sure I want to be a wolf,” Katalina whispered, looking away from his face.

“Now that, Katalina, you have no choice in. Even if you lived away from the pack again, you’d still change. It’s a part of you, your blood. You’ll feel different after.”

“If you say so.”

“I’ll leave you here. The young boy is coming.”

“Oh, okay,” she hesitated, not wanting him to leave.

He put her down and ran off.

“Wait!” she called to his distant figure.

He paused, his voice whispering through the trees. “Yes?”

Shit, what do I say? “What’s your name?”

“Bass. Bass Evernight.”

“Bass Evernight,” she whispered, liking the sound of his name.

“See you soon, Katalina Winter.” His promise wrapped around her, like silk against skin. She held it close to her heart, wondering when they’d next meet.

© Rachel M Raithby 2015

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Rachel M. Raithby started her writing career in 2013 and hasn't looked back. She draws her inspiration from the many places she has lived and traveled, as well as from her love of the paranormal and thriller movies. She can often be found hiding out with a good book or writing more fast-paced and thrilling stories where love always conquers all. A Brit who left the UK in 2008, she resides in a quiet town in Queensland, Australia, with her family.


Her books include, the adult Paranormal Romance novels 'The Deadwood Hunter Series' and the Young Adult novel 'Winter Wolf.'

www.rachelmraithby.com

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