Posted in 5 paws, Cozy, Giveaway, mystery, paranormal, Review on May 22, 2020

 

 

 

 

The House That Vanity Built (A Misty Dawn Mystery)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Publisher: Henery Press (May 12, 2020)
Hardcover: 242 pages

 

Synopsis

Misty Dawn, a former Hollywood psychic to the stars, knows the dark and sometimes glamorous streets of Los Angeles are full of secrets, broken promises, and dashed hopes.

When a young woman comes to her door because she’s lost her engagement ring and is afraid to tell her fiancé (the son of one of the world’s biggest cosmetics empires), Misty senses it’s no accident.

Together Misty Dawn and her psychic charge, Wilson Thorne, must not only sneak behind the walls of the Conroy Estate (aka The House That Vanity Built), but go beyond the veil where the luminaries have laid plans to seek revenge.

Murder, lust, and a quest for a fountain of youth are hidden inside a family’s secret, one that threatens to upend the young woman’s life, and quite possibly, Misty’s as well.

 

 

 

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Review

 

Misty Dawn isn’t what you might expect when you think of a psychic.  She is a matter of fact and doesn’t hold anything back when sharing what she learns or what she thinks about people, situations, or cases.  She gets around town with her shade, Winston, that has a flair for the dramatic and doesn’t seem to understand that he has some limitations as to what he can or should do as a shade.  Misty is always telling him he shouldn’t do certain things or that other spirit beings can be harmful to his progression if he ever wants to leave this world.

In this second in the series, Misty is helping Amy with what seems to be an innocent task – what happened to her engagement ring. While Misty can’t tell her exactly where it is, she knows it isn’t lost forever.  She never expects to receive a call a day or two later with the news that Amy’s fiance is dead.  His father doesn’t believe it was an accident and pushes the police to investigate.  Of course with Misty’s minor ties to the case, she inserts herself to help discover the true cause of Jared’s death.

The case is laid out for the reader with multiple suspects, misdirection, and shenanigans by some luminaries – namely Dr. Conroy’s deceased wife and mistress.  The story kept me engaged and just when I thought I might have solved the mystery, a new clue was introduced or my reasonings were proven incorrect.  I was quite surprised at the reveal and how the story ended.

Another great cozy with a paranormal twist.  We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Nancy Cole Silverman’s realization that she and Edgar Allen Poe shared the same birthday sparked her lifelong interest in mystery fiction. After a very successful career in the radio industry, she turned to writing and her crime-focused novels and short stories have attracted readers throughout America. Her Carol Childs Mysteries series (Henery Press) features a single-mom whose “day job” as a reporter at a busy Los Angeles radio station often leads to long nights as a crime-solver. Silverman lives in Los Angeles with her husband and a thoroughly pampered standard poodle.

 

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Posted in excerpt, Giveaway, paranormal, Romantic Suspense on May 21, 2020

 

 

Night of the Billionaire Wolf

 

by Terry Spear

 

Publication Date: 5/26/2020

 

Synopsis

 

It’s not easy being a billionaire, a wolf shifter, and a woman…

 

Lexi Summerfield built her business from the ground up. But with great wealth comes great responsibility, and some drawbacks Lexi could not have anticipated. Lexi never knows who she can trust… Even on vacation, Lexi has a hard time trying to relax. And for good reason—the paparazzi are dogging her, and so is someone else with evil intent.

Then Lexi meets bodyguard and gray wolf shifter Ryder Gallagher, who’s also vacationing at Redwood National Park. When the two run into each other on the hiking trails, and then serendipitously rescue two bear cubs, Lexi feels safe for the first time in she can’t remember when. But secrets have a way of surfacing… With the danger around Lexi escalating, Ryder will do whatever it takes to stay by her side…

 

 

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Excerpt

 

Friendship is fine. Mating for life is a whole other story.” Lexi had never checked into their backgrounds, something she would definitely have done if one of the wolves had really moved her.

“I agree with you there.”

The rain-saturated breeze switched, and Lexi smelled the scent of a male wolf and a black bear that had passed through there recently.

“The wolf has to be a lupus garou like us,” Kate said, “since no one has reported any sightings of wolves in the area. Maybe the wolf was the one who left the message?”

“I don’t believe so.” Lexi didn’t think her father would ask another wolf to get involved in this. The fewer people who knew about it, the better. “And there’s a female black bear, by the smell of her, roaming the area. Keep your eyes peeled and continue to make noise. We need to head on back before the rain starts anyway. We can check the other location later. It will take us about an hour to reach the cabin.”

Kate laughed. “How often does the weatherman get it right?”

Lexi saw a fairy ring of mushrooms and took another picture. “Yeah, I know. But you know me. I always try to give him the benefit of the doubt.”

Light rain began to fall, and then the drops grew bigger. Lexi hurried to put away her camera, and both laughing, they pulled out their ponchos. They were already soaked by the time they got the ponchos on. Still, they’d be protected somewhat from the continuing rainfall.

A couple of young bear cubs cried out somewhere in the distance, and Lexi’s adrenaline surged. “Do you hear that?”

“Yeah, they’re close by. It sounds like danger to me.”

“They’re crying for their mother. They have to be in trouble. I’ll see if the park rangers can rescue them.” Lexi hurried to get her phone out and called the ranger service. “Hi, my friend and I were hiking, and we heard the distress calls of a couple of bear cubs.”

“We’ve got our hands full with a family of hikers who have lost their way, including one who’s badly injured. And a search party is looking for another missing hiker. We can look into the cubs’ situation after we’ve taken care of the hikers in distress.”

“Thanks.” Lexi ended the call.

“You didn’t tell them where the bear cubs are.”

“The park rangers are too busy with human distress calls. You’re my bodyguard. You can protect me.” Lexi left the designated trail, which she wouldn’t normally do as a human because she didn’t want to trample the vegetation. The bear cubs’ cries guiding her, she raced through the forest as best she could, trying not to stumble over tree branches and fall into the ferns filling the understory.

Kate trailed close behind her. “This is a dangerous idea. Where there are cubs, there’s a mother bear nearby. The female bear we smelled, I betcha.”

“Unless something has happened to her. And then we need to rescue them.”

“What do you propose we do? Take them home with you?”

Lexi was sure Kate wasn’t being serious. Wolves raising bear cubs at her oceanside home? No way.

“Once we rescue them, I’ll call the park rangers to pick up the cubs and take care of them if the mother doesn’t come for them. The rangers can find a home for them. As young as the cubs’ cries sounded, they wouldn’t be able to make it on their own.”

Lexi and Kate continued to move quickly through the underbrush in the direction of the cliffs. Lexi’s skin prickled with unease, her stomach twisting in knots. From the sound of the cubs’ cries, they were way down below the cliffs, and the only way to reach them quickly would be climbing down there. That terrified her. Worse, her fearful scent would clue Kate in.

No way had Lexi wanted anyone to know what had happened to make her fear cliffs. She prided herself on keeping her secret. But even now, she suffered a flashback: gasping as a wolf as the soil and rocks at the edge of the cliff gave way, free-falling toward the rocky ground, praying some of the tree branches would help to break her fall. They did, scraping and bruising her, but she still landed badly on the rocks below and broke her left hind leg. Just from the memory, she felt a shock of phantom pain shoot up her left leg. That would be the last time she’d fight with a boyfriend and take off on her own without telling anyone where she’d be.

It had been a stupid thing to do, something she had seen others do in videos on I Shouldn’t Be Alive—in other words, going alone, not telling anyone where she’d be, not having a satellite phone in remote areas, and not having water with her—though as a wolf, that was understandable. She’d sworn she’d never do anything that dumb herself. Worse, she’d been in her wolf form and couldn’t climb to safety with a broken leg, so she’d had to shift into her human naked form before help arrived.

She and Kate finally reached a steep cliff and Lexi hesitated, not wanting to get near the edge that, according to forest ranger reports on the area, were known to crumble. Chills raced down her bare arms and legs. She had to force herself to move toward the cliff’s edge. Slowly, so she wouldn’t end up falling and breaking a leg like she’d done before.

“Are you okay?” Kate asked.

“Yeah, sure. The cliff face is unstable. I’m just being careful.” But it was a lot more than that.

“Okay, yeah, you’re smart to do that. I guess I can’t talk you out of taking this dangerous route and looking for a safer way to get down there instead.”

“I don’t want to risk delaying the rescue.” Lexi finally reached the edge. She observed the rocky cliff, looking for the best way to climb down, terrified she would fall. The mewling cries were coming from the base of the cliff near a couple of trees.

“This is not what I had in mind when I signed up to… Holy shit,” Kate said, peering over the edge of the cliff.

Lexi looked down at the swollen creek rushing along the banks of the cliff. “The creek’s risen because of all the rain. The cubs are crying in a den down below. They could drown. We have to save them.” Lexi started down the cliff, grabbing whatever she could—rocks, tree roots, vines—to keep from falling to her death or breaking a leg or more. She grabbed what looked like a stable rock, but as soon as she tried to hold it and move her right foot to another rock, the one in her left hand pulled free. She fell and cried out, grabbing for anything that could stop her fall. She grasped a tree root and hung on for dear life, her breath coming out in harried puffs.

“Oh God, hang on, Lexi. I really didn’t sign up for this.” Kate waited to descend so she didn’t cause an avalanche of rocks and dirt to collapse on Lexi.

“You don’t have to do it.”

“Are you kidding? Then you’d be able to take all the glory!”

Lexi smiled, then frowned. If the mother bear attacked them, there wouldn’t be much glory in that.

***

Excerpted from Night of the Billionaire Wolf by Terry Spear. © 2020 by Terry Spear. Used with permission of the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

About the Author

 

USA Today bestselling author Terry Spear has written over sixty paranormal and medieval Highland romances. In 2008 Heart of the Wolf was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year and in 2016, Billionaire in Wolf’s Clothing was a Romantic Times Top Pick. A retired officer of the U.S. Army Reserves, Terry also creates award-winning teddy bears that have found homes all over the world and is raising two Havanese puppies. She lives in Spring, Texas.

 

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Posted in excerpt, Historical, mystery, paranormal, suspense, Texas on April 4, 2020

 

 

Destiny’s Way

 

A Novel of the Big Bend

 

by

Ben H. English

 

Historical Fiction / Suspense

Publisher: Creative Texts Publishers

Date of Publication: January 18, 2020

Number of Pages: 363

 

 

 

 

Kate Blanchard woke up one morning in a dream home she could no longer afford, with a young son who needed a man’s influence, and not a friend among those who had claimed to be prior to her husband’s mysterious disappearance.

About all she had left was a ramshackle ranch along Terlingua Creek, sitting forlornly in the desolate reaches of the lower Big Bend. It was the only place left she could go. There she finds a home and a presence of something strange yet comforting that she can’t put her finger on or fully understand.

With that ethereal presence comes Solomon Zacatecas, a loner with his own past and a knowledge of her land near uncanny in nature. He helps her when no one else can and is honest when no one else will be, but she suspicions that he is not always completely so.

Yet her quiet, unassuming neighbor proves to be more than capable in whatever situation arises. That includes when standing alone against those who would take everything else that Kate had, including her life as well as her son’s.

 

Praise

 

“This is one of those rare books that you simply can’t put down. Ben English ‘s writing style is pure magic. He really brings this historical fiction book to life. Immediately, you are drawn to the main characters Kate and Solomon and feel as though you are right there next to them, experiencing what they are experiencing. Destiny’s Way is one that would do well on the Silver Screen.”  — Catherine Eaves, published author

“Ben does a superb job with this book! Excellent characters, true-to-life environment that is part and parcel of the story, twists and turns enough to make you wonder what is going on, and a slice of life down in Big Bend that rings true. That area has historically been full of ‘characters’ throughout its history, and Ben brings those characters into the book, raising the hair on the back of your neck. Highly recommended!”  — J. L. Curtis, author of the Grey Man series

“Ben, I love how your words and your memories reach out and connect the past with the present and touch so many people along the way. You are the connector! Bravo Zulu, my friend.”  — Matt Walter, Museum of the Big Bend Curator

 

 

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Excerpt from Chapter 6 of Destiny’s Way

 

 

Gideon lived to a ripe old age, beating all odds of survival. Was he haunted by the demons of the dead for what he had done? No one knows, because no one dared ask. But in that time he went from being a man of some local repute to a living legend named after a ferocious predator. Some say his spirit still roams the Big Bend and when those of evil intent feel a sudden unexplained chill, it is the ghost of El Tigre warning them that he is still out there, some place.”

Zacatecas fell silent and Jamie stared at him with large, saucer-sized eyes, fixated on what had been said. Kate Blanchard might never have admitted it, but she herself had been swept up and away by this grim tale of vengeance. It was not only the story itself, but also how the saga was told by this quiet man sitting at her kitchen table. It was as if he himself had been there when it had all occurred.

“Time to get ready for bed, Jamie.” Kate nearly startled herself as she spoke, it had been so quiet in the interlude after Solomon finished.

“Yes, Mommy.” The small boy slid out of his chair and started from the room. But in the doorway he stopped and turned around, a question in his eyes.

“Solomon” he asked, “do you believe the ghost of El Tigre still wanders the Big Bend?”

“Yes, I do Jamie,” Zacatecas replied. “Sometimes when by myself, I get a strange feeling and look up, half expecting to see him horseback high on some ridge, watching.”

“Aren’t you ever scared?”

“No. I know in my heart that Gideon would never harm me. Nor would he ever do anything to you or your mother. Only bad people need to fear The Tiger.”

Jamie thought about Solomon’s last remark for a moment, then grinned and ran quickly up the stairs.

“That was quite a story, Mr. Zacatecas” Kate said, looking carefully at her dinner guest. “I have never heard of ‘El Tigre’ until now. But are you certain there was not just the tiniest bit of embellishment involved?”

“The story of Gideon Templar needs no embellishment, Mrs. Blanchard,” Solomon replied. “Everything I related was factual, and in truth only a small part of what happened in his life.”

“Even the part about his spirit still wandering the Big Bend?” she asked.

“The Mexicans across the river still sing their canciones de frontera norte about him, Mrs. Blanchard. They admonish their children to be good, or El Tigre will come and get them in the night. He was the last of the truly hard men, ma’am.”

Later, much later that evening, Kate was awakened from her sleep with a fitful start. Though the bedroom had been relatively cool, her nightclothes were dampened with her own sweat. Lying there, it took some time to come back to the here and now from where here unconscious mind had been. As cognizance and reality returned, Kate realized she had been dreaming; one of those disjointed, confusing dreams that nevertheless seems so real.

In it, she was at the original house doing some daily chores, as if preparing for company. There was nothing particularly disturbing or unusual about that in itself, she had done much the same when living there or just tidying the old place up.

But this time there was something different, something disturbing that became more evident as the dream continued on. In the artistry of her mind, the setting seemed to have shifted back to many years ago. The surrounding furnishings dated themselves as did the clothing she wore. Kate recalled glancing out the front window and having the sensation that something was missing from the scene. Then she realized what it was.

In her dream she rushed to the window, moving the curtains aside and looked out. The new house was not there, just a rock and cactus studded open flat. Off to the southeast, about a quarter of a mile away, sat a grouping of rock pens with walls some six feet high.

There was something else too; or rather, someone. It was a lone rider on a buckskin horse moving slowly toward her. He was dressed in the manner of a man from the early Twentieth Century, carrying a long-barreled lever action rifle in his right hand, muzzle high with the stock nestled between the saddle pommel and his leg. Kate could not see the rider’s face, his large brimmed felt hat was pulled down low, shadowing his features.

The man’s manner appeared alert and yet casual in nature, as if he was riding into a place he had come to many times before. He also seemed to know that she was watching him, in fact it was as if he was expecting her to be at that particular window.

And though Kate Blanchard had never seen the rider before, she knew exactly who he was…

 

 

 

Ben H. English is an eighth-generation Texan who grew up in the Big Bend. At seventeen he joined the Marines, ultimately becoming a chief scout-sniper as well as a platoon sergeant. Later he worked counterintelligence and traveled to over thirty countries.

At Angelo State University he graduated Magna Cum Laude along with other honors. Afterwards Ben had a career in the Texas Highway Patrol, holding several instructor billets involving firearms, driving, and defensive tactics.

His intimate knowledge of what he writes about lends credence and authenticity to his work. Ben knows how it feels to get hit and hit back, or being thirsty, cold, wet, hungry, alone, or exhausted beyond imagination. Finally, he knows of not only being the hunter but also the hunted.

Ben and his wife have two sons who both graduated from Annapolis. He still likes nothing better than grabbing a pack and some canteens and heading out to where few others venture.

 

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Check out the other blogs on this tour

 

4/2/20 Guest Post Max Knight
4/2/20 BONUS Post Hall Ways Blog
4/3/20 Review The Clueless Gent
4/4/20 Excerpt StoreyBook Reviews
4/5/20 Top 15 List All the Ups and Downs
4/6/20 Review Reading by Moonlight
4/7/20 Playlist Rebecca R. Cahill, Author
4/8/20 Review Missus Gonzo
4/9/20 Author Interview That’s What She’s Reading
4/10/20 Review Book Fidelity
4/11/20 Review Forgotten Winds

 

 

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Posted in excerpt, Giveaway, paranormal, romance on January 25, 2020

 

 

Wicked Cowboy Wolf

by Kait Ballenger

Publication Date: 1/28/2020

Genre: Paranormal

Series: Seven Range Shifters #3

 

Synopsis

 

To his enemies, he’s known as the Rogue. To her, he’s her only chance at survival…

Years ago, Grey Wolf Jared Black was cast from the pack for a crime he didn’t commit. Now, he’s the mysterious criminal wolf known only as the Rogue, a name his former packmates won’t soon forget. But when a vampire threat endangers the lives of their entire species, Jared must confront his former packmates again, even if that means betraying the only woman he’s ever loved…

Ever since Maeve Gray escaped the pack’s bloodsucking enemies, she’s been determined to save her species—and fast. Each passing day risks the lives of her friends and family. But when a wicked cowboy wolf shows up on the Grey Wolf ranch, offering everything Maeve’s heart desires, her eyes are opened to a whole new world beyond the packlands. For this cowgirl, sleeping with the enemy could prove as desirable as it is deadly…

 

 

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Excerpt

The pink summer sunset had long since faded to nightfall by the time Mae returned to her cottage on the other side of the Grey Wolf compound. As she approached home, she cringed at the thought of the poor excuse she’d given Alexander. There was no way he’d bought her lie. Sure, she and Maverick had scheduled Alexander for a meeting with the Pact, which was a small step forward, but if they didn’t get him on board and fast, their prospects were limited. But Mae was determined. She would find a way to save her pack. She had to.

Feeling more than a little defeated, she shuffled up to her door, scanning the other nearby pack cabins. Hers was one of many adjacent to the dining hall and the main compound building, which housed the elite warriors and the main pack offices. She grabbed her keys from her purse. As she did so, she glanced over her shoulder, as if she might find the Rogue lingering there in the darkness. But she didn’t. He’d disappeared without a trace.

She released a long sigh. From what she knew of his dangerous reputation, it was just like the arrogant bastard to trod right into a pack of alphas that would just as soon see him torn apart. He really was a rogue with a devil-may-care attitude to match his title. She gripped her keys tighter in her hand.

After unlocking her front door, she slipped inside.

Immediately, the taps of tiny hooves clopping against tile sounded from the darkness. She flicked on the dim entryway light. Tucker, her teacup pig, stared up at her from the white tiled floor, his beady black eyes sparkling with pleasure at her arrival. He let out a pleased oink. Mae grinned.

Bending down, she scooped him into her arms, coddling him like a baby as she cooed at him. Still a piglet, Tucker was no bigger than a small dog, and according to the breeder, he’d been the runt of the teacup litter and would likely stay small.

With Tucker cradled against her, Mae made quick work of feeding him a bottle of milk replacer before snuggling him into his fluffy, pink dog bed in her living room. Once the piglet was rocked to sleep, she showered before she changed into her nightgown and settled into the comfort of her bedsheets. The day had left her worn out, but her mind refused to calm.

Had she really seen the Rogue, or had it all been in her head?

That question still plagued her. She wasn’t sure how he would have gotten onto the ranch without detection, especially considering the heightened security for the reception.

She shook her head. It must have been her imagination, a memory triggered by the stress of Alexander’s questions. The Rogue couldn’t possibly have shown up at Wolf Pack Run only to disappear again.

Though it had felt so real…

She sighed, sinking deeper into her mattress. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d thought of him since their encounter in the vampire coven.

Heat rose in her cheeks. She’d dreamed of him almost every night since—and not in the way she should have. The memory of the night when her life had been threatened by bloodsuckers was a dark one, but when she dreamed of that night, of him, her dream often took a completely different course from reality. Instead of dreaming of the danger she’d faced, she’d woken more than once to the thought of his uncharacteristic heroism as he whisked her from the vampires’ cells, only to find her own hand exploring between her legs.

It was sick. She knew it. She shouldn’t be attracted to a dangerous criminal like him. Despite that, he stirred something primitive inside her. She knew what sort of dark circles he traveled in, yet she couldn’t seem to help it. A wolf like the Rogue was everything forbidden to her: a non–Grey Wolf, a vigilante. Not to mention one of her brother’s enemies, and the antithesis of every criterion she should consider for a mate.

Somehow, that only made him more appealing.

By her birthright, she was destined for a Grey Wolf alpha warrior. She shuddered at the thought. The Grey Wolf warriors were all fine men, handsome cowboys, but they were practically her brothers. Mae tossed and turned in her bed as she tried to put the Rogue from her mind, but still his face taunted her.

Eventually, her hand trailed beneath her nightgown. Maybe if she eased this ache, the desire would go away. Maybe then, sleep would claim her. Slowly, her fingers probed the folds between her legs, locating her own clit. She knew her body, what she liked.

Gently, she massaged and probed as she remembered how it had felt when the warmth of his breath had brushed against her ear, the deep timbre of his voice thrumming through her.

You won’t regret this, he’d whispered.

She imagined his lips trailing downward.

What would it be like to be with a criminal like him?

Something told her every touch, every caress would be more powerful, more sinful…just more. Soon, she was moaning in climax, the walls of her core tightening in a delicious wave that sent a rush of moisture straight to her center. She cried out, arching her back against the pillows.

As the last throes of her orgasm shook her, she relaxed into her sheets, sated, though it was little more than a fantasy. At that thought, a pang of sorrow thrummed through her. That was all her dreams would ever be—fantasy. Not just him, but all her heart’s desires. She wanted more than she could have. She always had. She loved her pack, but the duties that bound her to them had never been her choice.

She may have been a Grey by birth, but if she were braver, she’d live her own life. She’d make her own choices.

If she were free…

Mae lay there, the weight of the things she’d never have pressing down on her, constraining her chest so much that she struggled to breathe.

If only…

At least she could dream. Her dreams and desires were hers alone. She released a long sigh, switching on the light of her bedside table as she reached for a book to read. Until the sound of a familiar voice came from the darkness.

“Evenin’, Princess.”

***

Excerpted from Wicked Cowboy Wolf by Kait Ballenger. © 2020 by Kait Ballenger. Used with permission of the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. All rights reserved.

 

About the Author

 

Kait Ballenger earned her B.A in English from Stetson University followed by an M.F.A in Writing from Spalding University. After stints in multiple careers, Kait finally decided that her eight-year-old self knew best: that she was meant to be a writer. Kait lives with her husband and young son in Florida.

 

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Posted in 4 paws, paranormal, Review, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Young Adult on December 4, 2019

 

Brown Books Publishing

Paperback: 200 pages

April 23, 2019

Genre: YA, Sci-fi, paranormal

 

Synopsis

Eric Horton sees fire.

When he sleeps, he dreams of a world screaming in the midst of devastating explosions. These dreams terrify him, and as more strange happenings unfold around him, he’s unable to shake the feeling that what he’s seeing isn’t just a dream.

When a new student, Renee, appears in his science class, he could swear he’s known her forever. But how could that be? As they get to know each other, he meets her father, who explains the experiments he’s been conducting involving “the Universal Energy Field” and “Collective Consciousness”—two things Eric has never heard of before. They seem to be tied to the idea that we are all connected by the same energy and are all more powerful than we realize. Eric begins to learn more about these groundbreaking concepts—but can they be real?

As his life continues to shift and his knowledge of the Field increases, Eric will be tested beyond anything he’s experienced before. He must decide whether he believes in that part of himself which ties him to the world around him, and he must access it—or lose everything he’s been working to keep.

 

 

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Review

This book actually surprised me because sometimes sci-fi/paranormal books are hit and miss with me.  But this story of a young man’s ability to absorb the energy around him and see or sense things intrigued me.  Since this is a YA book, it wouldn’t be complete without the usual teenage drama and young love.

This story follows Eric, an up and coming goalie for the high school he attends.  He has a younger sister and brother with whom he has a good relationship.  Actually, he has a good relationship with all of his family which is refreshing to see considering what we see in the news.  The drama or angst comes from his friends and their shenanigans, which is not uncommon for a teenager.  Eric has some strange dreams and has no idea what they could possibly mean until events prove his dreams to be a reality and not just some weird dream.

I enjoyed the science aspect of this story and the explanations of matter, energy, and harnassing it for the betterment of mankind.  I think that all of this could be possible one day, perhaps sooner than we think.  I also appreciated that the science in this book was thoroughly explained and not just glossed over.  The author definitely put her degree to good use in this book.

There is romance between several of the characters and of course northing runs smoothly as is usual with teens.  However, I felt that the advancement of the various relationships felt solid and realistic.  The relationships were subdued and did not progress too much more than kissing.

We give this book 4 paws up and if you enjoy YA with a sci-fi or paranormal flair, you might want to pick this book up for your next read.

 

 

About the Author

Tracy wasn’t always a writer, but she was always a reader. Her favorite book growing up was A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. In a weird way, her life reflects the book through odd synchronicities. She has a degree in Biology like Mrs. Murry and without realizing it she named her children Alex and Katie after Meg’s parents. (Really, it was not intentional, because that would be weird)!

Tracy uses her science background in her writing through her emphasis on environmental issues and metaphysics. Growing up, Tracy’s younger brothers called her ‘sarge’ and once when she took a personality test for a job, the evaluator said she could give a Drill Sargent a run for his money. If you need someone to boss you around, Tracy’s your gal! Tracy lives in Indianapolis.

 

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Posted in 3 paws, excerpt, Magic, paranormal, Review, Young Adult on November 21, 2019

 

 

Title: THE WITCH PORT VIDEO GAME
Author: Leonard Bassed
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 108
Genre: YA

Synopsis

Leonard Bassed had no plan to write a novel titled THE WITCH PORT VIDEO GAME when he set out to create a movie script with a similar name.  “I had written the pilot script first and I kept the same ending for the novel…everything from the script I wrote found its way into the finished book version of ‘The Witch Port Video Game,’ said writer-singer-actor Leonard Bassed.  “I was able to spend more time developing the characters and their world…the whole thing was just such an organic experience and extremely enjoyable, creative for me.”

THE WITCH PORT VIDEO GAME tells the story through the lives of three ordinary teens who live in the fictional town of Cradle Creek, USA – a small town they hope to one day escape, attracted by the bright lights and promise of the Big City.  All three are students at a prestigious performing art school with hopes of one day making names for themselves in the entertainment world.

Mr. Bassed continued about his story, “A chance encounter the three have with a girl named Bianca Morris threatens to derail their plans. Bianca introduces them to an enticing video game, ‘The Witch Port Video Game’.  This encounter, coupled with the arrival of the MacQuoid brothers sets in motion a series of bizarre events that spins their lives into chaos and disarray as the three head into a world of sorcery with an ultimate fight for survival.”

As a young boy growing up in South Africa, Leonard dreamed one day of working in the arts.  He wanted to write, to act, to sing.  While drawn to acting and songwriting, he was also a good storyteller.  “The auditions I would go out for as an actor were never reflective of the kinds of roles I was after to play. It was this realization that led me to write the pilot script which I planned to pitch to TV and movie producers.  But, once I finished the script I’d grown too attached to the characters and the wonders of their world that ultimately led the script into the shape of a full novel,” he went on to say.

 

 

Purchase the Book

 

Praise

“While the book’s final moments leave us with a rather sudden, enigmatic ending, an endnote does indicate a sequel Witch Port Igniting the Coven on the horizon. For those who enjoy the entertaining literary chemistry that results from inquisitive teens and their foray into the mysterious world of sorcery, Bassed’s venture should prove an intriguing reveal.” –Pacific Book Review

 

“Filled with cheeky references to famous pop-culture stories of sorcery and mixed with some classic teenage angst, this book is a fast-paced, suspenseful story. The novel’s premise that some teenagers gain special powers through a video game is an updated, modern take on magic and suits the story quite well for a 21st-century setting. The author sets up the story mechanisms so that everything that happens through the students’ video gameplay also happens in real life. The author states that this novel was originally a screenplay, and those elements shine through, from the descriptive settings to the fast pace in which the action occurs on the page. It will be interesting to see how the protagonists grow with their powers in the sequel.” –The U.S. Review of Books

 

Review

This YA novella is a cross between Charmed (which is actually mentioned in the book) and Sabrina the Teenage Witch and probably a few other teen movies filled with teen drama.  Since the book is shorter we don’t really get to know the characters that well except for Martin since he seems to be the main character.  What we know about him – he is gay, black, artistic (dancer, singer, performer), has some serious facial cleansing rituals, and has two best friends that are girls.  This trio likes to sneak out and do things they probably shouldn’t be doing including drinking.  I’m not quite sure how kids that are 15-16 can pass for legal age in a diner, maybe they look mature for their age?

The story was intriguing and I feel like there is so much more to learn about the characters, what will happen with these powers, who are they up against (demons, warlocks, sorcerers), and does Martin have powers that he needs to learn to control?  This book starts the reader down the path and whets your appetite for more details and what is going to happen next for Martin, Francesca, and Mackenzie.

While I enjoyed the story I do have a few issues with the book.  It is only available in print format (or at least that is how it was offered to me) but the font is TINY.  I had a hard time reading the book and had to make sure I had enough light.  Secondly, there would be multiple characters speaking in the same paragraph.  It was very confusing and it would have been better if the dialogue for each character speaking were separated into its own paragraph.  I do come across a few spelling and grammatical errors but nothing too serious.

Overall this was a good book and if someone enjoys YA books with the magical twist, then you just might enjoy this book.  We give it 3 paws up.

 

 

Excerpt

“I begin to hear an eerie chant being recited in unison as the first three naked women make it to the dark summit. Holding long, makeshift brooms, in their right hands, they chant: “Drink the flight broth, wood in hand. Burn the root …” An elderly woman with lanky hair picks up the goblet, takes a sip of its contents, and inhales the smoke of an already burning smudge stick. The chanting continues: “Then dive from the cliff…” This is perhaps the most startling scene I’ve ever witnessed. The woman runs off the edge of the cliff, seemingly to plummet to her death, but I hear “Not by wind nor by wings, airborne sisters thou shall soar.” Suddenly, the woman who vanished off the cliff reappears, hovering in mid-air on a broom. She begins cackling, and the louder her cackles, the higher she floats. Soon a host of other women mimic her actions, cackling into the night air.” – By Leonard Bassed

 

This is one of my favorite excerpts from my novel, ‘The Witch Port Video Game’ because of the imagery it conjures.

My novel begins with Martin’s recollection of a vision he once had. In the vision, women are seen diving off a cliff and flying on their brooms, true to the stereotypical portrayal of witches in the media and western folklore.

The women are depicted inhaling something resembling a smudge stick this leaves the reader unsure whether they’re indeed flying or having some sort of hallucinogenic experience brought on by the smoke.

 

 

About the Author

Writer-actor-singer Leonard Bassed was born in the town of Middleburg, Mpumalanga and raised in Johannesburg.  He started taking vocal lessons at age eight and studied drama throughout his high school years.  A mentor encouraged him to pursue an acting career.  Leonard went on to complete acting classes in both South Africa and later Los Angeles.  Currently, when not writing or singing, Leonard continues to study acting techniques with the renowned Margie Haber Studio in Hollywood. In his free time, he enjoys travel, reading and movie going.

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Posted in excerpt, paranormal, romance on November 13, 2019

 

 

Synopsis

Vafara is a blind composer who creates new symphonies for the world. Alone in a cabin with only her service dog, she’s not concerned in the slightest for zero cell phone reception in a secluded in the woods. This is her special time where she can be free to let her musical compositions speak to her.

Israfel is a demon one assignment short from graduation: possession of an innocent soul.  He’s always known he was different from others of his kind, and meeting the pure Vafara confirmed it.

Will he be able to possess the passionate musician when all he wants to do is hold her? Or will he throw it all away and risk an Angels and Demons war to save her innocent soul from the dark fate that awaits?

 

 

 

Excerpt

Crawling in the natural shadows of the darkness, he reached the master bedroom. The light from the clock on her nightstand made him
wince. He wasn’t used to the fluorescence of it. The dog lay on the floor, breathing deeply beside her bed. The creature didn’t look fierce.
Definitely no hellhound.

Israfel perched up on the corner of the ceiling and peered down at her. She slept on her back, but her head was turned to the right. The floral scent of her long hair spread across the pillow was beautiful, like her.

What could she have done to make her a candidate for possession?

 

About the Author

Roberta Bombonato has been hearing characters in her head since she was born, but only began writing down their stories since 2007. They can be a rowdy bunch and only leave her alone when the book is finished. She calls herself a basket-case, weaving stories with twisted pain and unconditional love.

Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Roberta moved to the United States at the age of 11 and became a U.S. Citizen. She currently resides in fabulous, sunny Florida with her disabled veteran husband, two loving dogs, Kent and Pup, one eccentric parrot, Apollo, and two Guinea pigs to keep him company.

In 2009, she released her first book AN UNCONVENTIONAL FAMILY. It received an honorable mention is the 2009’s Hollywood Book Festival in the Wild Card category.

Aug 28th of 2019, she released her second book BLIND SYMPATHY.

There was a period of 10 years in which she was plagued with writer’s block. The Ketogenic diet has helped her get back in the game, stronger than ever. She even became a certified Keto and Fasting Coach through Dr. Berg. She helps clients lose weight and feel great, like she does. She documents her weight-loss journey on Instagram @nerdyketonian.

Redemption is a common theme in her extremely different stories. There is something so beautiful about a very LARGE character arch. Triggers evoke such emotion and her characters find a way of concealing the hurt because vulnerability is weakness. The power lies in change.

Roberta vows to keep writing her character’s stories even if they don’t follow the regular formulas of the writing world. She believes that in order to do them justice, they will not be put inside a conventional box. This is where pushing the envelope will result in unpredictability.

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Posted in Giveaway, Guest Post, mystery, paranormal on November 9, 2019

 

 

Storm of Secrets: A Haunted Bluffs Mystery
Paranormal Mystery
2nd in Series
Crooked Lane Books (November 12, 2019)
Hardcover – 327 Pages

Synopsis

A deadly storm, a missing three-year-old child, a suspicious death, and the eerie presence of the spirits of the dead set the stage for the second mesmerizing installment of Loretta Marion’s paranormal suspense series.

A powerful storm descends upon Cape Cod’s Whale Rock at the peak of tourist season–and the weekend Cassandra Mitchell’s and Daniel Benjamin’s wedding is set to take place at The Bluffs, the magnificent Victorian mansion Cassie inherited from her family. In the wake of the storm’s destruction, three-year-old Lucas Kleister goes missing–and the body of small-time drug dealer Lee Chambers is found in a restaurant dumpster. Now, the WRPD are faced with a murder to solve, a missing child to find, and the aftermath of one of the worst storms in recent memory.

While aiding with the clean-up and helping the displaced, Cassie has been receiving cryptic messages from the spirits of her great-grandparents, Percy and Celeste Mitchell, the original residents of The Bluffs. At first, the messages are benign, but soon, they begin to point to something more sinister. As Cassie works to decipher their meaning, the specter of a mysterious local legend surfaces. The tale of Barnacle Boy–and what happened to him during another destructive storm decades earlier–will weave through the desperate search to find Lucas and the identity of a killer.

 

“Modern and historic mysteries collide in Marion’s bittersweet storytelling.” —Kirkus Reviews

“[A] gripping sequel…Marion seamlessly weaves the multiple story threads together. Fans of tales of regional intrigue will be satisfied.” —Publishers Weekly

 

 

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Guest Post

 

The Lost Boy of Whale Rock, Who Was Raised by Dolphins

…and then Became One

 

There is a mention early in STORM OF SECRETS about Barnacle Boy – the young child whose sea-ravaged body washed up on the shores of Whale Rock decades earlier. The tragic story had become woven into local lore and the young boy was buried in the Mitchell family cemetery at The Bluffs. Cassie Mitchell, the main character in the Haunted Bluffs Mystery Series and current resident of the stately Victorian, was told wonderful made-up stories about Barnacle Boy by her Granny Fi – though she only ever referred to him as The Lost Boy of Whale Rock. The following is the one tale of Granny Fi’s that made the most lasting impression on young Cassie…

Many years ago, there was a shipwreck way out in the ocean, and a young boy became separated from all the others who’d been sailing on the boat. A school of dolphin found him clinging tightly to a floating piece of wood that had broken loose from the boat’s prow. The boy’s frantically kicking legs had drawn the attention of a hungry shark, and having observed this, the dolphins began circling the child as a barrier of protection from the predator. Finally the shark lost interest, and the dolphins whisked the little boy to the shores of Whale Rock at a place called Kinsey Cove.

The lost boy would spend every waking hour with his new adopted dolphin family, and they taught him how to swim and to fish for food. Over time he learned to dive deeper and deeper, holding his breath longer each time. He even learned their language, easily distinguishing between their whistles and vibrating clicking sounds, the trills and the squeaks. He learned their signals for danger as well as their sounds of happiness, and he loved laughing along with them, imitating their squeals of delight. In the evenings, when the dolphin family bid him farewell, the boy would lie on the beach and wish upon all the stars in the sky that one day he could leave with them. When he awoke each morning to gaze at his reflection in the sea’s mirror and seeing that it was the same little-boy-face that always looked back, he would lament: Why was I born a boy and not one of those beautiful sea creatures?

But then one day, a great storm suddenly came upon them as they were playing in the ocean. The winds became a great swirling force and the waves grew higher than the boy had ever seen. The dolphins grabbed the lost boy and dove deep to protect him from the howling angry squalls. The deeper they went, the faster he was able to swim, and oddly, he no longer felt the need to hold his breath. It was so dark in the depths of the ocean and yet he was able to see his dolphin family swimming alongside him. What seemed like an eternity passed before the lead dolphin signaled them to surface. The tempest had subsided, and the ocean had been left amazingly calm, allowing him a glimpse of his reflection in the water’s tranquil surface. The familiar face that the lost boy had wished away was no longer looking back at him. Instead, what he saw was a handsome young dolphin blinking curiously. He splashed at the water to erase the image, only to have the dolphin likeness return again and again. The other dolphins danced playfully around him, chirping joyfully, for that was the day his wish was finally granted. He had found a new family and would never again be left alone on the shores of Whale Rock.

Granny Fi always ended the story by telling Cassie, “Every time you see a family of dolphin dancing along the shore, make sure you wave. And if you look close enough, you just might just see the Lost Boy of Whale Rock waving back to you.”

 

 

 

 

About the Author

An author of fiction, Loretta Marion’s writing bridges the genres of mystery and suspense and women’s fiction, always with hints of romance and humor, sometimes delving into the psychological and paranormal. She creates strong but flawed and struggling characters as appealing as the rich atmospheric settings in which the stories take place.

Loretta is a true bibliophile and has loved reading and creating with words since she was a young girl. And that affection for the written word followed her like a shadow throughout her life as she put pen to paper crafting marketing and advertising copy, educational brochures, and newsletters. But her passion for writing fiction evolved from the unlikely world of hospice. As a volunteer, she set out to establish a Legacy Story program to honor and preserve the rich heritage of the fascinating people who were soon to leave this world. The meaningful experience inspired her to create her own interesting characters and stories. Her debut novel, The Fool’s Truth, was a twisty and suspenseful mystery with whispers of romance. Her newest novel, HOUSE OF ASHES – A Haunted Bluffs Mystery, is the first in a series published by Crooked Lane Books.

Though born and raised in the Midwest, Loretta fell in love with New England and has made it the setting for much of her writing. When not whipping out words on her laptop, she is traveling, enjoying outdoor pursuits, or is curled up with a delicious new book. Loretta lives in Rhode Island with her husband, Geoffrey, and their beloved Mr. Peabody, a sweet, devoted and amusing “Corgador” (Corgi-Labrador cross).

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Posted in 5 paws, Giveaway, nonfiction, paranormal, Review, Texas, Travel on October 3, 2019

 

PARANORMAL TEXAS

Your Travel Guide

to Haunted Places

Near Dallas & Fort Worth

2ND EDITION

by

TUI SNIDER

  Genre: Travel / Haunted Places / Texas History

Publisher: Castle Azle Press

Date of Publication: September 19, 2019

Number of Pages: 210 with 100+ black & white images

Scroll down for Giveaway!

 

 

More Haunted Places and True Ghost Stories!

Tui Snider’s popular travel guide to haunted places in North Texas is back with a fully updated 2nd Edition featuring more haunted places and true ghost stories!

 

What’s new in Paranormal Texas2nd Edition?

Just like the original travel guide, Paranormal Texas 2nd Edition gives readers haunted history and directions to sites where paranormal activity is reported in the Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex.

 

The 2nd edition now includes:

Photos: Readers asked for photos of haunted places. Paranormal Texas, 2nd editionhas over 50 photos of haunted towns, haunted hotels, and more.

Ghost hunting tips: Tui Snider explains what she has learned since she began attending paranormal investigations with Texas ghost hunters.

More haunted places: Several new venues (including a haunted doll museum!) with fascinating haunted history were added to Paranormal Texas, 2nd edition.

Firsthand accounts: Readers asked for more true ghost stories and hauntings. (She even shares personal experiences with paranormal activity, including a strange encounter with her doppelganger at a haunted hotel!)

All the above, PLUS a paranormal activity evidence database:

See the paranormal activity for yourself: Readers can access an online database with links to EVPs, ghost photos, videos, and other evidence gathered by paranormal investigators who have visited the haunted sites in her book.

  • Continually updated: This database will be continually updated with EVPs, anomalous photos, videos, and other data gathered at haunted places featured in Paranormal Texas, 2nd edition.
  • Add your paranormal activity: Readers can contact the author if they have paranormal evidence to add!

 

Is Paranormal Texas, 2nd edition for YOU?

  1. Ghost Hunters– If you want to plan a fun road trip to haunted places (with or without ghost hunting equipment) Paranormal Texas, 2nd edition can help.
  2. Armchair Travelers– If you prefer reading about haunted history, Paranormal Texas, 2nd edition can take you on an exciting armchair tour through haunted towns of North Texas.

“Tui’s 2nd edition is spot on fun and thrilling for everyone to read as only Tui can tell it!”  – Greg Stephens, Paranormal Investigator (RIP)

 

 

 

5 Surprising Facts about Haunted Places in Paranormal Texas

 

 

 

 

 

This is a book you will want to keep in your glovebox!

I am always looking for new and different things to do on the weekend and this book came along at the perfect time.  While I haven’t gone exploring my town yet, I have marked many pages to see what is around me.

Since I live in Arlington, I, of course, had to check out those spots first.  The first location that caught my eye was the Lost Cemetary of Infants, only because it was in another book I read recently about the Home for the Redemption and Protection of Erring Girls that was in operation in the late 1800s.  There are several other spots around town that are mentioned including Crystal Cavern, the Screaming Bridge, and the Arlington City Cemetary.  With Halloween coming up, these will make a nice outing on a couple of days.

Once I made it past my town, I was amazed at the number of other locations around the DFW area.  This is why it would be good in your glovebox…find yourself with a little time while visiting friends or family?  See what is close by in Tui’s book and head on over.

I also enjoyed the history and detail as to why these locations have paranormal backgrounds.  The stories are short but fact-filled and intriguing.  There is even a story about the performance hall at Texas Wesleyan University where I attended college.  I had heard these stories while I was there but don’t think I ever saw any signs of paranormal activity.  Must have been an off day!

We have to give this book 5 paws up because it is a great source of activity for the whole family.  Perhaps Tui will write a book about the rest of the state so we can continue to explore the paranormal across this state.

 

 

 

Tui Snider is an award-winning writer, speaker, photographer, and musician specializing in offbeat sites, overlooked history, cemetery symbolism, and haunted lore. As she puts it, “I used to write fiction, but then I moved to Texas!”

Tui lectures frequently at universities, libraries, conferences, and bookstores. This fall, she will speak about the Great Airship Mystery of 1897 at this year’s UFO Congress and teach a course on Understanding Cemetery Symbols at Texas Christian University. She also shares weekly info-videos based on her research on her YouTube channel.

Snider’s writing and photography have been featured in a variety of media outlets, including WFAA TVCoast to Coast AM, LifeHack, Langdon Review, the City of Plano, Wild Woman WakingShades of Angels and many more. She has several more books in progress.

 

◆  Website  ◆  Facebook  ◆  Twitter  ◆

◆  Amazon Author Page  ◆

◆  Instagram  ◆   YouTube  ◆

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 GRAND PRIZE (US only):

Signed Paperback + Handmade Cemetery Angel Pendant

+$10 Amazon Gift Card

2ND PRIZE (US only): Signed Copy

3RD PRIZE (International): Kindle eBook

(US ONLY)

  October 1-October 11, 2019

 

 

 

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Check out the other blogs on this tour

 

10/1/19 Reading by Moonlight
10/2/19 Bibliotica
10/2/19 Book Fidelity
10/3/19 StoreyBook Reviews
10/4/19 Nerd Narration
10/4/19 Hall Ways Blog
10/5/19 Carpe Diem Chronicles
10/6/19 Forgotten Winds
10/6/19 Books and Broomsticks
10/7/19 The Page Unbound
10/8/19 The Book Review
10/8/19 Chapter Break Book Blog
10/9/19 Missus Gonzo
10/10/19 All the Ups and Downs

 

 

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Posted in excerpt, Giveaway, paranormal, romance on September 26, 2019

 

Silver Town Wolf: Home for the Holidays

By Terry Spear

Publication Date 9/24/2019

 

 

Synopsis

Silver Town is howling with Christmas cheer

Gray wolves Meghan MacTire and Sheriff Peter Jorgenson plan to spend the rest of their lives together, and what better time to start forever than Christmas? But they are both harboring dark secrets that are about to surface and threaten their future together. With holiday magic in the air and all Silver Town ready to celebrate, Meghan and Peter have to conquer the past if they’re to have any hope of spending this Christmas in each other’s arms.

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Silver Town Wolf series

Destiny of the Wolf (Book 1)

Wolf Fever (Book 2)

Dreaming of the Wolf (Book 3)

Silence of the Wolf (Book 4)

A Silver Wolf Christmas (Book 5)

Alpha Wolf Need Not Apply (Book 6)

Between a Wolf and a Hard Place (Book 7)

All’s Fair in Love and Wolf (Book 8)

Silver Town Wolf: Home for the Holidays (Book 9)

 

Praise for Terry Spear’s holiday romances

“The best of holiday romances…a howling good time.”—Long and Short Reviews for A Silver Wolf Christmas

“A holiday treat—romance that sizzles and entertains.”—Fresh Fiction for A Highland Wolf Christmas

“Delectable…a ‘Recommended Read’ for Christmas and all year long!”—Romance Junkies for A SEAL Wolf Christmas

“Sensuous, heartwarming romance, enhanced by an adorable wolf pup and winter­time fun.”—Library Journal for A Very Jaguar Christmas

“An enchanting tale of kismet—werewolf style!”—Fresh Fiction for Dreaming of a White Wolf Christmas

 

Excerpt

“I have to change clothes,” Meghan MacTire said to her sisters, Laurel and Ellie. She was feeling a little anxious about the date she was going on with Sheriff Peter Jorgenson tonight, since she needed to tell him about her psychic ability to speak with and see ghosts.

Running their Victorian inn in wolf-run Silver Town, Colorado, had been keeping the triplet sister busy during the holiday season. And now it was just ten days until Christmas. Meghan had hoped she and the sheriff could go to her home for an intimate dinner and watch Christmas movies, like they’d been doing whenever they could get the free time. But tonight he wanted to take her out to the Silver Town Tavern. The food and atmosphere were great there, and it was private membership, so only wolves were allowed. Still, it wasn’t as relaxing after a hectic day. Especially when everyone in the pack was wondering if Peter and she were mating. If not, other bachelor males in the pack were waiting in the wings. Some were sure to see her and Peter at the tavern and would be keeping an eye on their relationship.

“Do you think he’s going to ask you tonight if you want to mate him?” Laurel asked. Her sisters had been dying to know when Peter would pop the question. They were both mated to Silver brothers and couldn’t wait until Meghan was mated as well.

“I don’t know. I’ll let you in on it if it happens, you know.” Meghan had been dating Peter for over a year now, not really typical but everyone was different. Sam and Silva, owners of a tea shop and the tavern, had dated for years before they finally tied the knot. Peter didn’t seem to be in a rush to ask Meghan to mate him, and she needed to discuss some issues with him that could affect how he viewed her.

Besides her ghost abilities, she had sent a wolf to prison before she moved to Silver Town, something one of their kind was never to do, and she hated to tell Peter. Even if he could live with what she’d done, she didn’t want anyone else in the pack to know. Would he be willing to keep her dark secret? Or would it bother him that he had to?

She could imagine the news getting out to the rest of the pack, and she knew some would no longer see her the same way. She wished that night had never happened, but it had. And there was nothing she could do to take it back.

She’d been so hurt the last time she’d mentioned it to a wolf boyfriend that she never wanted to discuss it with anyone again. The ex-boyfriend and her sisters were the only ones who knew. But she had to tell Peter before long. Tomorrow night. She couldn’t do it at the tavern. She had to talk to him privately about it before he asked her if she wanted to mate him, and she thought he might ask soon. She kept thinking something might be holding him back too, some dark secret of his own. Unless she was projecting her own mistake on him.

Meghan managed a smile for her sisters before she became too melancholy thinking about the notion. She pulled on her coat and headed for the back door of the inn.

“Have fun,” Laurel and Ellie both said.

“Thanks!” Meghan hurried outside to reach her Victorian house through the snow-covered garden. Just in case Peter proposed, she planned to wear a red satin dress, hoping she didn’t look too overdressed, as if she was expecting something to happen. But it was Christmastime, and she was going to dress up since she didn’t normally.

When she arrived home, she went upstairs to her bedroom and pulled the dress out of the closet. Maybe it would be a little much. Too dressy. Too shiny. Too sexy. Maybe she should just wear a green sweater and her MacTire plaid skirt and boots.

She brought them out and laid them next to the red dress on the canopied Victorian replica bed. She stripped out of her slacks and sweater and considered both outfits. It was cold out. Really cold out. And snowy.

She eyed the red dress. She’d never worn it for Peter. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be the wrong choice. She pulled off her bra and put on the red strapless one she’d purchased to wear with the dress. Then she pulled on the dress and struggled to reach the zipper on the low, low back. Darn it. She couldn’t reach it, no matter how hard she tried. She’d only worn the dress once—to a Christmas party two years ago when she and her sisters still lived in St. Augustine, Florida—and she’d forgotten she needed help with the zipper.

Before Peter arrived, she called Laurel. “Hey, I can’t get my zipper zipped. Can either you or Ellie come over and zip it up for me?”

“Ohmigod, you’re wearing the red dress. I’ll be right over. Unless you want Peter to zip it up for you.”

“Right. Hurry, before he gets here.” Meghan hated to ask. She knew Laurel would tell Ellie that Meghan was wearing the dress, created to hook a guy for sure. Yes, it was an eye-catcher, but she’d never caught a wolf’s attention while wearing it.

She brought out her red high heels before Laurel arrived. If Peter proposed, she wanted to be dressed for the occasion, though she reminded herself they still had to talk before she could say yes.

***

Excerpted from Silver Town Wolf: Home for the Holidays by Terry Spear. © 2019 by Terry Spear. Used with permission of the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Terry Spear has written over sixty paranormal and medieval Highland romances. In 2008 Heart of the Wolf was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year and in 2016, Billionaire in Wolf’s Clothing was a Romantic Times Top Pick. A retired officer of the U.S. Army Reserves, Terry also creates award-winning teddy bears that have found homes all over the world and is raising two Havanese puppies. She lives in Spring, Texas.

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