Title: THE PAIRING
Author: KATIE ASHLEY
Published: Feb. 18, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Blissful Surrender by BJ Harvey - Cover Reveal
Title: Blissful Surrender ( Bliss #3)
Author: BJ Harvey
This is a story of Sean Miller, a dom that will have your panties diving for cover with an eyebrow quirk. That will have even the strongest woman dropping to their knees in submission with a piercing stare, and Samantha Richards, a female cop who’s tough, seemingly impenetrable shell is strong enough to resist everyone except the one man it was build up to protect her against.
**Disclaimer – If you thought the first two Bliss books were hot, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Creative use of handcuffs, batons, a club scene you have to read to believe, and a tough as nails dominant who is blindsided by the one woman strong enough to threaten his resolve not to let his past dictate his future.**
Like the other books in the Bliss series, this book can be read as a stand alone. There are common characters in the books but it is not necessary to read the first two books in the series to read this one.
No. She’s not getting another moment to talk herself out of this, out of us. She’s been running for way too long. This time it’s for keeps. This time, I’m not letting anything come between us—not my brother, not her mother, not her job and not some convoluted idea she gets in her head that she is not the submissive I need her to be. I’m sick of the bullshit, and this time I want what is mine.
And Sam is mine.
Wrapping my arm around her waist, I pull her body tight against mine and slant my head, slamming my mouth to hers as she gasps in shock. My hand grabs her blonde ponytail, holding her in place. Her tight muscles relax when my tongue rolls over hers as I set out to rediscover the beauty that is Samantha Richards. Her taste is intoxicating, and I find myself wanting to consume her, to lose myself inside of this gorgeous woman whose mind continues to deny the connection between us. In this moment, I want to show her everything I am, everything I can do to her, every possible way I can make her feel. I know I’m losing control, but with Sam, I don’t care.
I press my hips into her, pressing my hard as steel cock against the softness of her stomach. I feel her arms move between us, and I expect her to push me away, but she fists my shirt and pulls me closer, thrusting her hips into me in silent invitation.
She may not be able to admit the words, but she can show me with her body, with her actions—she can no longer deny the spark between us.
I pull my head back slightly, raking my teeth against her bottom lip. I scan her face, looking for any remaining uncertainty. If she said no it would hurt like hell, but I’d let her go. Again. But all I can see are swollen, pink lips and half-cast eyes full of want, and I know in that moment that I have my Sammy back. Even if it’s just for a few moments, a few hours, or maybe the night…if that is all I get with her, then I’ll take it willingly.
If this is the only chance I get with her, I’m going to make it count. I’m going to draw it out and make it last until neither one of us can move; until neither of us can breathe.
“You were saying?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
BJ Harvey is the Amazon Bestselling Author of The Bliss Romantic Comedy Series and The Lost Romantic Suspense Series. An avid music fan, you will always find her with headphones when writing, and the speakers blaring the rest of the time. She’s a wife, a mom to two beautiful children, and a full-time university student. BJ resides with her family in what she considers the best country in the world—New Zealand.
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES
Temporary Bliss (Bliss #1)
True Bliss (#2)
Seeing Stars by J. Sterling - Cover Reveal
We are so excited to be sharing this beautiful cover with you for J. Sterling's new standalone book SEEING STARS scheduled for release on March 13th!
Walker Rhodes is a hot singing sensation who never settles down, spends too much money gambling and gets in trouble on the daily- at least if you believe all the tabloids.Madison Myers is a hard working talent agent assistant thrust into the spotlight one day after Walker pulls her on stage during one of his concerts. She tries to stay away from him, but he keeps chasing her. She is strong in her resolve and he is relentless in his pursuit.
The question is... WHY?!?!
Tabloid Headline Reads: Walker Rhodes pulls woman on stage during LA concert and serenades her with stars in his eyes and we watched as the sparks flew! But just who is this mystery woman who has stolen Walker's heart? And will she be the one to finally tie down our favorite womanizing gambler?
Our readers poll: 80% say no way!
The other 20% wish they were her!
Read more inside...
Walker sat on one of the stage steps, his chin in his hand as he spoke to the screaming crowd. “I need a volunteer for this next part.” His head raised slowly, his eyes scanning the crowd.
Keri jumped up and down like a crazy person, waving her arms and screaming his name. I laughed at her antics and sat perfectly still, not wanting to bring any more unwanted attention to myself.
Another tap on my shoulder caused my irritation to bubble as I turned to what was sure to be that annoying overly made-up stupid girl again.
It wasn’t.
I came face-to-face with a giant of a man wearing all black and holding a walkie-talkie. Intimidated, I took a half step back and looked around for Keri.
“Come with me.” His tone implied a demand, not a request, and I suddenly wondered what I’d done wrong.
Who the hell was this guy? He’s not the boss of me. He’s not going to tell me to come with him and think I’ll just obey. I frowned and said quickly, “Uh. No, thanks.”
He flashed his VIP backstage pass in my face as if it were the only credential he needed. “Miss. It’s part of the show. Can you come with me, please? You’ll be onstage with Mr. Rhodes.”
Oh.
Well, shit.
I guess he could be the boss of me, after all.
I shot Keri a surprised look before I was quickly hauled off in the direction of an almost completely darkened backstage area. We walked through a black curtain before we were hit with lights and blaring music.
“I’m going to bring you onstage.”
“And then what?” I asked, suddenly nervous. Not to be around Walker Rhodes, but nervous at the thought of standing in front of thousands of screaming people with cell phones ready to record my every move.
I started to tremble. Afraid my legs wouldn’t hold me up any longer, I begged the security guy to help me out there. He smiled at me and gave me a little shove.
Thanks, you dick.
Next thing I knew, I was standing onstage, my face mere inches from Walker’s. Walker no-human-being-should-be-anywhere-near-this-gorgeous-in-real-life Rhodes.
I got fired from my last job.It's true.
I know you're sitting there thinking, "Jenn, how could anyone in their right mind fire someone as amazing and awesome as you are???" And i'd love to give you a good reason, but the truth is... being This! Awesome! is clearly very scary to other less awesome people. :)
So I said screw them and started writing my first book. And you know what I realized? Writing books that mean something to me is a million times better than working my ass off for someone who doesn't really care about anything other than the bottom line.
My soul feels more satisfied.
My heart, more full.
So thank you for reading, loving and recommending the stories I write.
I think you're awesome- and not only am I not scared of other awesome people, I want them on my team!
Click HERE to read a post where I talk about how you all have changed my life. :)
PRE-ORDER BUY LINKS
*Please note that SEEING STARS will also be available at the following retailers - Smashwords, Kobo, IBooks, B&N - no pre-order available at time of cover reveal.*
Monday, February 24, 2014
The Line That Breaks by J.M. Miller - Cover Reveal
*This is the follow up to The Line That Binds*
While searching for answers involving Stockton Estate's stone well, Ben Shadows and LJ Wayde discover one truth: the curse is real.
Unfortunately, that truth has LJ facing the same fate that's been tied to her bloodline for generations. The curse has given her the ability to help others conquer their greatest weaknesses, but it comes with a torturous price. As the rush of helping people starts to outweigh the pain of the consequences, LJ moves toward acceptance. She considers it a gift and a possibility to make up for the way she treated people in her past.
Ben pushes on to find an end to the curse despite LJ's reluctance. With reasons linked to her Aunt Janine's memory loss, Ben fears the real consequences are far worse than LJ's current symptoms. His love for her drives his need to protect her, even if it means hiding the next piece of the well's mystery.
When LJ finds what Ben has kept secret, she may never forgive him.
Will he lose her heart before he can save her mind?
**Recommended mature YA for mild language and mild sexual content.**
J.M. Miller first discovered her love of writing in high school where she penned poetry for extra credit in English class and even braved
the anxiety of an open-mic night at a local coffee shop. Life soon followed, with a couple of careers, marriage, and a baby. The urge to write again came not long after her daughter’s birth, this time calling for more than a few lines in a messy composition notebook.
She is a military spouse, and a veteran herself, who finds inspiration in the people she’s met and the places she’s lived and traveled.
J.M. Miller first discovered her love of writing in high school where she penned poetry for extra credit in English class and even braved the anxiety of an open-mic night at a local coffee shop. Life soon followed, with a couple of careers, marriage, and a baby. The urge to write again came not long after her daughter's birth, this time calling for more than a few lines in a messy composition notebook.
She is a military spouse, and a veteran herself, who finds inspiration in the people she's met and the places she's lived and traveled.
Hosted by:
Sunday, February 16, 2014
The Gryphon Series by Stacey Rourke - Blog Tour
Presented by:
Series Info:
Author : Stacey Rourke
Genre: YA Paranormal
Audience: 13 +
Formats: E-book and Print
Publisher: Anchor Group Publishing
Covers By:
Editor: Melissa Ringsted
Book Info-
Title: The Conduit
Pages: 212
ISBN-10: 0985266368
ISBN-13: 978-0985266363
ASIN: B007H7UMR0
Date Published: November 2011 (rereleased November 13, 2013)
Blurb-
All 18-year-old Celeste Garrett wants is to head off to college and make those fun, yet ill-advised, choices college kids are known for. And maybe to spend some time with the hot cameraman she just met. Instead, because of a pact her ancestors made in the 17th century with a mythical creature, she has to save the world. While normal kids are slamming energy drinks and cramming for exams, Celeste will get her adrenaline rush fighting a fire breathing dragon. She wants to meet friends in the quad to exchange lecture notes, but first she must exchange blows with a shapeshifting demon on the rooftop. Life isn’t always fair for a superhero, but at least she doesn’t have to do it alone. With her brother and sister as sidekicks, they alternate between saving lives and getting on each others’ nerves. Together the trio encounters unspeakable odds, mystical forces and comes face-to-face with an image that will haunt them forever—their grandmother in a leopard print bikini.
Book Links-
Excerpt- At certain moments in life reflection is mandatory. I found being squeezed in the scaly claw of a three story dragon to be one of them. As he shook me like an uncooperative toy, my rattled brain wondered how life had led me here. Could I have done anything differently to maybe not die horribly at the hands of Mr. Big-Green-and-Ugly?
But as my constricted lungs burned and ached for even a whisper of a breath, I knew there was no way I could’ve avoided this. No matter where I went. No matter what I did. They would’ve found me. It was inevitable.
A searing pain in my side signaled that my recently mended rib had cracked again. I opened my mouth to scream but could manage no sound. My head wobbled so hard it felt like it might snap off my neck. Black spots danced before my eyes. With them came flashes from a life that wasn’t mine.
With tentative steps the girl walks through the smoldering, charred remains of her tiny village. Her bare feet are burned and blackened, but she doesn’t waver. She lays a delicate hand on the shoulder of the half-eagle/half-lion creature that saved them all. Well…most of them. Some of the blood spilled in this emerald Ireland valley had been fatal.
His rants turned into nothing more than a ringing in my ears. One by one, my senses gave up. They retreated into the dark abyss and waited for me to join them there.
A look of steely determination overcame the girl’s dainty features. “You didn’t let us stand alone, and I will not let you.”
The Gryphon snapped his beak and shook his enormous head. “No. This war will rage on long after your mortal life has ended. I have foreseen it.”
“Then my heirs shall take up the cause as well!” She lifted her soot-covered nightgown enough to allow herself the movement needed to go down on one knee. Her glorious, ivory wings stretched out wide behind her as she pressed her fist over her heart. “It is my pledge to you that the O’Garren family will join you in this crusade. My people will be your warriors until we find victory or death.”
The pain lessened. Peace replaced it. That pledge, made centuries ago, is what led me here. If the break-ins hadn’t happened. If I had stayed in Michigan. I’d still find myself here, losing my grip on whatever tied my spirit to this world. Of course, now I knew that those break-ins were them looking for me. And they followed me to Gainesboro. As the last of my strength and energy drained from my body, the thought of my new home made me smile.
Gainesboro, Tennessee. That’s where it all happened. That’s where I learned the truth. That’s where everything changed. That’s where my destiny found me. And now, it’s where I would die.
Book Info-
Title: Embrace
Pages: 250
ISBN-10: 0985266341
ISBN-13: 978-0985266349
ASIN: B0080GLL5Y
Date Published: March 2012, rereleased November 13, 2013
Blurb-
RONE Award Winner Best YA Paranormal Work of 2012
Whether she likes it or not, eighteen year old Celeste Garrett has come to terms with being the Chosen One. She knew having a “normal life” would be tricky, between intense training sessions and epic demonic battles, but she didn’t know at what cost it would come. That is, until a dear friend is harmed by the malicious forces hunting her. Now, she’d like nothing more than to retreat into a hermit lifestyle to prevent anyone else from getting hurt. But startling revelations, amazing new abilities, and mortifying moments in front of insanely hot guys won’t allow time for that. Soon, Celeste finds herself surrounded by darkness and wondering who she can trust—if anyone.
Book Links-
![clip_image005[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAzPzSF1VJHkJs8lguWHnKLJs8djX0xVnGct2rqA0-t_y2G7rWPXSiYOydc95k2X6NTkQXjSUin90u2UOH73G6Ospyam4tTQrMvTFFPIX5ATYR2V7dHSYvIjjbvHe9mYVGCE5DcbVLvrr/?imgmax=800 "clip_image005[1]"){kind=small}
Excerpt- The next night’s patrol up into the mountains was all kinds of awkward due to how incredibly peeved Gabe still was despite my attempts to make amends. As we walked, he intentionally allowed a branch to snap back at my face. I caught it a split second before it impaled my eyeball. Kendall, with her sweet nature, easily forgave me and we hugged it out. Gabe told me where I could shove my apology. Maybe I had been somewhat out of line with the things I said, but he had been lying to me for months. Therefore, I’d had about all of his nasty attitude I could tolerate.
“Don’t worry about that branch, Gabe,” I snapped. “I got it. Thanks.”
Gabe halted. He kept his broad back to me as he let out a low, menacing growl.
I put my hand on my hip and shined my flashlight at him. “Oh, I don’t even think so! I don’t care how big and bad you think you are, you’re not gonna growl at me.”
His head whipped around. The light from my flashlight reflected off of his yellow cat eyes. That sight wasn’t new to me, yet it still gave me chills.
“Demon,” he rumbled, in a barely human tremor, then fell to the ground in a low crouch. His clawed hands dug into the dirt as his back arched in preparation for his change.
A rush of air behind me and Keni’s wings were deployed. She and I scanned the landscape in front of us with our flashlights. Trees. Light fog. Rocks. The occasional critter, but no demon. Then—not twenty feet in front of us—the brush rustled. A black shadow darted past us.
“Did you see that?” I followed it with the light, but it vanished before I could catch up.
Before either of them could answer, a shrill cackle echoed through the night. The shapeless form flew by in another pass. We spun to follow it but again failed to get a glimpse.
“Where’d it go?” Keni’s feathers tickled my shoulder as she curled her wing protectively around me. “I lost it.”
Pebbles kicked up as the demon skidded to a stop in front of us. Like matching spotlights our flashlight beams captured the creature.
Kendall giggled and put her wings away.
Gabe paused in the early stages of his transformation, stood up, and reverted back to human.
I screamed for all I was worth and dropped my flashlight.
Before us stood a gruesome, two-foot tall hobgoblin with green wart covered skin that hung off its tiny frame. Long, wiry black hair draped down passed the snarling, spitting creature’s itty, bitty shoulders. With beady little eyes, a snout for a nose, and a mouth full of shark-like teeth, this thing was straight out of my worst nightmares.
“Aww, it’s kinda cute!” Kendall gushed and bent down to extended her hand to it like it was a friendly pooch.
Then it charged. Its tiny legs blurred as it sped toward us with snapping jaws. I flew onto Gabe’s shoulders like a cat up a tree. Kendall released her wings just in time to lob the hobgoblin back where it started. That didn’t slow it down. It hopped right back up and ran at us again.
“Get off me!” Gabe ordered, but couldn’t shake my death grip from around his neck.
“NO! Not until you get rid of it!” I screamed. “Turn into a lion and eat it! Or shred it! I don’t care, just make it go away!”
Once again, Kendall hit it like a well-served tennis ball and sent it careening through the air.
“What do you need my help for?” Gabe asked, in what I considered to be an overly mocking tone, as he grappled to pry my arms and legs off of him. “You’re the “Chosen One” and I’m just your sidekick. Seems to me you should be able to handle this all on your own, oh-mighty one.”
“Gabe! Now is not the time to get into this!” I pleaded as I clung to him like a frightened koala bear. “Just kill it!”
“No.” While I couldn’t see his face, I could hear the smirk in his voice. “I think now is the perfect time to talk about this. You need to admit that you need both of us.”
The demon whizzed past Keni. I squealed and squeezed my eyes shut as Gabe casually punted it away from us. “I need you! I need you! Please! Get rid of that thing!”
“Now apologize for calling me your sidekick. That was very offensive.”
“You’re not my sidekick!” I whimpered. “You’re my sentry! Which is mythical, and heroic. Please make that horrible thing go away!”
“And you’ll never take us for granted again, right?”
“Oh, for the love of all that’s good and pure! Yes! I’m an awful person that took you for granted. It’ll never happen again!”
“Good,” Gabe relented. “Now climb down, and I’ll take care of the toddler-sized demon for you.”
Just as I attempted to scale my way down my building-sized brother, the mini-goblin zipped at us again. I screeched, lost my hold, and thudded to the ground. Right into the path of the incoming two-foot terror.
Yelling, “Celeste look out,” was all Gabe and Keni had time to do.
In utter panic, I brought one arm up to shield my face and held the other out to block the attack. With my eyes clamped shut I tensed for the moment when those gruesome teeth would shred me to the bone.
No shredding, biting, or nipping of any sort came. Nothing did.
“Uh, Celeste?” Keni’s tone was a question mark.
“What?” I squeaked my response through a locked jaw, but didn’t dare open my eyes.
“I think you got a new power.”
Book Info-
Title: Sacrifice
Pages: 222
ISBN-10: 0988633442
ISBN-13: 978-0988633445
ASIN: B00C3ONLP2
Date Published: November 2012, rereleased November 13, 2013
Blurb-
Celeste Garrett has finally found a happy balance in her life as the Chosen One, thanks in large part to a certain hunky Irishman. But if there’s any lesson she should heed since receiving her calling it’s that everything can change in the blink of an eye. Soon a terrible new threat, unlike anything she’s ever encountered, causes her to make a gut-wrenching choice that will strip her of someone she holds dear. As much as she’d like to have a pity party for one, there’s no time for that now because wedding bells are ringing in Gainesboro! In between dress fittings and rehearsal dinners Celeste will have to fend off attacking demons and leering pirates. As if the Dark Army wasn’t scary enough our heroine is faced with the horrifying trauma of attending a bachelorette party with her mom and watching Grams do Jell-o shots. Is a walk down the aisle even possible for a member of the Garrett family when the Dark Army is out to destroy them? More importantly, will the Dark Army Glee Club sing at the reception? Raise your glass to the happy couple, and get ready for a wedding…Conduit-style.
Book Links-
![clip_image005[2]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4LCzqATrVZZBDnqlpzUyVu72g5ZT64k_0HrJO7E-24phZCIYv_X176ExFUNiUU1AA0E6jQuHqSlBKyuTSVHcZ96kPKrkg0xTm3EdIuE4Kbcn2WgcxPRDRqUhC9PRRvPeSt_whUhVPGl6/?imgmax=800 "clip_image005[2]"){kind=small}
Excerpt-“You can, and should, make this decision for him. But you won’t because of your feelings for him.”
“We are not having this conversation again. Besides, this isn’t even you talking. It’s Alaina. When did you become her overly hairy messenger?”
“I’m not her messenger. We’re a couple, and couples should communicate and make their decisions as a team.”
“I see she’s still making you watch The View.”
“Shut up. Some of those women make very good points.”
“Sure they do. Now please keep your voice down. You’re going to blow our cover.” I shifted on the balls of my feet and peeked out the window of the lifeguard shack. Sand blew and churned outside with enough force to leave welts on skin. What civilians thought was nothing more than a nasty storm ravaged the Florida Gulf Coast line. Waves slammed against the shore, each swell larger than the last. But this was no normal tropical storm. Another Titan could be thanked for this onslaught, one that held power over the water.
These situations had been commonplace ever since that night at Grams when Caleb and I had a massive fight over his humanity. Much screaming occurred and no resolution whatsoever was reached. It ended when he claimed I was a, “Stubborn woman that let her emotions override common sense.”
I came back with the rebuttal of, “Yeah? So’s your face.”
Unable to form any kind of rebuttal to that, Caleb threw his hands in the air and stomped off.
Over the next two weeks Gabe, Keni, and I traveled to various spots around the globe to deal with natural disasters caused by Titans. Caleb joined us as soon as he healed enough to fight. Together we stopped a tsunami in Thailand, an earthquake in Oklahoma, a tornado in Texas, and a wildfire in California. Our latest thwarting mission led us to a hurricane in the Sunshine state. It worked in our favor that the local media blamed these freak weather related bouts on climate issues caused by global warming. We saved the world and inadvertently raised awareness. Go us!
Rarely were we allowed the luxury of rest. No sooner would we get one matter under control than another would pop up. I missed sleep, a wonderfully delightful task I sincerely hoped to get reacquainted with soon.
“Blow our cover?” Gabe snorted and yanked off his t-shirt to prepare for his change. “We’re hiding. The Chosen One is hunkered down out of sight like a scared little kid. We should be killing these things. Not subduing them until Bernard comes along and blinks them off to God only knows where.”
I ducked back down and leaned my forehead against the window ledge. A few deep breaths helped me regain control of my rapidly rising blood pressure. To keep Caleb safe we went for the knockout instead of the kill. I hated holding back during battles, but if it kept Caleb alive it was worth it. Bernard agreed to help us by transporting the demons to a plane where they couldn’t harm anyone. Yet everyday a new wave of them came at us with no signs of the onslaught slowing or stopping.
I glanced over my shoulder at Gabe and gave him an easy to read ‘drop it’ look. “I’m respecting Caleb’s wishes. You should tell his sister to give it a try.”
“Actually, his wish was to be human, but you gave him the death stare and clucked at him like a demented hen for even suggesting that.”
“Human isn’t an option, not with the chaos going on right now. And we’re done talking about this.” I glared at my brother and hoped that would be the moment the Gryphon bestowed death-ray laser vision on me.
He held his hands up in surrender. “Hey, I’m just stating the facts. No need to call forth the PMS Queen.”
A fireball blazed into the sky from a shack further down the beach. It saved Gabe from getting a punch to the throat for that remark. “There’s the signal. Time to go.”
Instantly we became all business. The savage roar of the wind muted the sickening snaps and pops of Gabe’s transformation. I shuffled on my hands and knees to the door. It took both hands and a fair amount of super strength to pry it open. What I saw on the other side made my jaw swing open and my bladder control threaten to fail.
“Celeste, look out!” someone screamed. There’s a high likelihood it was me.
I shook my head in an attempt to erase the unbelievable image before me. A shark surfed toward me on top of a wave. Sharks can’t surf, I know that. But—terrifying as it was—this one excelled at it. The wide open mouth of a Great White, if I had to guess, soared my way ready to devour me. My legs forgot how to move and my brain switched into an operating speed the equivalent of a hamster running on an exercise wheel. Fear paralyzed me where I stood.
The black eyes of the gigantic fish rolled back in their sockets as its rows of razor sharp teeth extended out, hungry for my flesh. A mighty roar pierced the air as my lion sentry soared over my head and intercepted the killer fish. He hit it head on and the two rolled across the sand in a frenzied explosion of gnashing teeth and snapping jaws. Only then did I realize the shark sported legs.
So that’s what a Water Titan looks like—pants wetting terrifying.
The two savage beasts clung together. Both sets of bone-crushing teeth snarled and grappled to tear into the other’s flesh. Wet sand clung to them as they blurred together in their violent flurry. A flash of a silver fin. The swipe of a tawny claw. The flip of a long tail fin. Flying chunks of chestnut fur.
Caleb and Kendall ran across the beach. Keni’s wings shielded them from the hammering winds and sea spray. They didn’t need to hurry. None of us could do anything. Getting between the shark and lion would mean a loss of limbs … or a nasty flare up of deadness. I tried to part them with my telepathy, but even mental means couldn’t get between them. I could do nothing but watch—until the unthinkable happened.
The shark flung its head to the side and sunk its teeth deep into Gabe’s hip. Our lion roared in pain. Blood bubbled and poured from his gaping wound. Muscle and tissue ripped from bone and hung off him like limp spaghetti noodles. Bile rose in my throat and I slapped my hand over my mouth. Instinct prompted my feet into action. I rushed to my brother’s aid but quickly found he had no need for me. His lip curled up and he lunged on the shark. The pupils of his feline eyes dilated and blood lust took over. Claws and teeth shredded and devoured the fish’s course skin in a violent fury. Blood sprayed through the air and splattered me from head to toe.
“Gabe! Stop!” If he heard me my warning failed to resonate. Instinct had dragged him to a dark place where only one thought got through—kill or be killed.
The land shark’s blood soaked into the sand and stained Gabe-lion’s muzzle a deep rust color. With one last twitch the massive fish fell to the ground—lifeless. Seconds later nothing remained but black tar.
Only then did Gabe glance up. His eyes blinked back to human. Pain and shock forced his change. “Celeste, I’m sorry. I … I couldn’t stop.”
Blood loss quickly claimed its spoils. Gabe sat down hard in the sand, his skin ghostly pale and covered in blood. His head lolled to the side and his eyes rolled back. In a flap of feathers, Kendall stood by his side, easing him to the ground and pouring healing warmth into him.
Icy prickles ran down my spine. Caleb wasn’t with her.
I spun in a circle and found nothing except empty beach. The storm stilled as if holding its breath.
Caleb was … gone. My breath came short and shallow. The world whipped around me like a crazy carnival ride. I didn’t get to say goodbye. I deserved a split second to try to save him. How dare I be denied that? Lack of oxygen caused black spots to dance before my eyes. The ground rose up to meet me as my knees buckled.
I didn’t even get a chance …
A pair of arms caught me, manifesting out of black smoke. “Lovey! I’m here! I’m right here! It’s okay!”
Grasping his shirt in tight fists, I clung hard to Caleb as my heart struggled to find its rhythm. I buried my face into his chest and desperately breathed in his scent. Despite his proclamation, things were far from okay. The universe just showed me how easily it could steal him from me. Nothing would ever be okay again.
Book Info-
Title: Ascension
Pages: 318
ISBN-10: 0615922848
ISBN-13: 978-0615922843
ASIN: B00GP3HRQQ
Date Published: November 18, 2013
Blurb-
From bestselling and award winning author Stacey Rourke comes the heart-pounding continuation of the acclaimed Gryphon Series. The turning point of the Gryphon saga is at hand … Battle looms. Three unstoppable forces prepare to clash in a colossal explosion that could wipe Gainesboro off the map. Fate and a sacred calling have landed nineteen year old Celeste Garrett in the middle with nowhere to run. Her trust wavers as she uncovers dark secrets of the Council, powerful enough to test her loyalty and turn her against those she swore to protect. Playing to the longing of her heart, a malevolent enemy uses her weakness against her to form an alliance. With the trumpets of war about to sound, which side will the Conduit choose, and who will be left standing?
Book Links-
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Excerpt- Somewhere between asleep and awake he came to me. The mattress shifted under his weight as he settled in beside me.
Warm breath teased against my ear. “I could ne’er leave you, lovey.”
His wandering hands gripped my waist and rolled me to face him. This warbled land governed by sleep couldn’t conjure his whole essence—too much time had passed for that. Instead, it teased me with glimpses of what I’d been missing. Silky hair caressing my cheek. Hot kisses traveling down my neck. Emerald eyes filled with an insatiable hunger. The sensual awakening that jolted through me when his mouth found mine.
“I’m always with you,” Caleb whispered against my lips.
I twined my arms around his neck and pulled him closer, a move that garnered a low groan of appreciation. His hands roamed up my arms and encircled my wrists. In a sudden, shockingly violent move, he forced them down against the mattress and pinned me there.
I gaped in confusion as green eyes blinked to sapphire blue. His seductive stare twisted into visible disgust and hatred. Like ink dumped from a bottle, the black drained from Caleb’s hair. The dripping color leaked away to reveal long, strawberry blond hair, pulled into a ponytail at the nape of his neck. Alec. Not the latest version of him currently possessed by a three-hundred-year-old demon, but the Alec I first met while rolling a tire. The carefree boy I had started to fall for before fate intervened. Yet the look that darkened his gaze was more murderous than welcoming. I thrashed and bucked beneath him but couldn’t seem to summon one iota of strength. His grip on my wrists tightened to the point of pain.
“Is he worth it?” he hissed in my face. “Is he worth the blood on your hands?”
Crimson red blood bubbled up Alec’s throat. It seeped between his teeth and dribbled down his chin. “Will he still want you when he knows what you’ve done and what it cost?”
Squeezing my eyes shut, I cringed further into the mattress as blood rained down. The warm stickiness, with its pungent rusty smell, dripped on my face and soaked my shirt.
I risked a glance up to see Alec’s lips curl in an evil grin. “Now, how ‘bout a kiss?”
He bowed his head and crammed his blood soaked lips to mine. My muffled scream quickly turned into a gurgled gasp for air as I fought not to drown in this crimson hell.
Giveaway –
About the Author –
The Gryphon Series is written by Stacey Rourke. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant, drooly dogs. Stacey loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head. She is currently hard at work on the continuations of this series as well as other literary projects. The Gryphon Series is available wherever fine books are sold.
Contact Info: Visit the author at www.staceyrourke.com
Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/staceyrourkeauthor
Twitter @Rourkewrites
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