Sunday, October 29, 2017

Sunday Spotlight - Stormy Glenn and Papa Bear's Pup

Welcome Stormy Glenn back to Sunday Spotlight!  She's sharing a bit from her recent re-release, Papa Bear's Pup


PAPA BEAR'S PUP

[Erotic Alternative Paranormal Romance, shape-shifter, M/M, HEA]

Papa Bear was president of the Blue Angels, one of the deadliest biker clubs west of the Mississippi. He answered to no one, going where he wanted when he wanted. When being on the road so much takes its toll on him, Papa Bear heads to the woods to let his bear roam free. Finding a man beaten and covered in blood was never part of that plan but turning his back on the wounded man just wasn’t possible, especially since he suspects the little wolf might be his mate.

Bartholomew ‘Bug’ Matthews was on the run. Finding himself rescued by a burly tattooed biker was not where he expected to be but he wasn’t complaining. Papa Bear was the sexiest man Bug had ever seen. When the handsome man claims him, Bug couldn’t be happier. But his joy is short lived when Papa Bear disappears, leaving Bug alone and in more danger than ever.

When a vicious attack leaves Papa Bear with no memory of his mate, will he lose his one chance to find happiness or will Bug be able to protect himself and the secret he holds?

Note: This book was previously published at 20,000 words as part of Siren's anthology Ride a Cowboy. It has been extensively revised and expanded an additional 16,000+ words.


BUY



STORY EXCERPT

“Your father wants to see you.”

Bartholomew “Bug” Matthews winced as he looked up into the eyes of one of his father’s enforcers. He hated each and every one of them. Randal Matthews took great delight in choosing the most psychotic and ruthless men to be his enforcers. They were all sadistic monsters.

Bug set down the bowl of potatoes he had been peeling and stood. While most people would find it weird, Bug enjoyed peeling potatoes. It didn’t take a lot of brain power, which meant he could just let his mind wander and dream about how different is life would be if he wasn’t under his father’s thumb.

He shot his brother, Aisely, an apprehensive look before following the enforcer. It was never a good thing if his father called for someone. It was even worse if you were the man’s son. Their father expected a certain behavior from Bug and his brother, and if they stepped out of line even a bit, there was hell to pay.

Bug swallowed hard as he stepped inside his father’s personal study. He shot the tall, blond haired woman sitting on the sofa with a glass of amber colored liquid a quick look. She was dressed very stylishly in a pair of cream colored slacks and matching silk blouse. Her blond hair was pulled back from her face, highlighting her high cheekbones.

She was an older woman, close to his father’s age. She was also a shifter by the smell of her. Not even the perfume she seemed to be swimming in could hide that. Bug could also tell she was a powerful wolf, maybe even more powerful than his father.

“You wanted to see me, sir?”

Randal Matthews didn’t even acknowledge that Bug had spoken, he just nodded toward the blond. “Vivian.”

The statuesque blond stood and walked over to Bug. He tried not to frown as she walked around him, but he felt as if he was being inspected.

It was kind of creepy.

When she grabbed his jaw, Bug tried to jerk back. One low growl from his father froze him in his spot. He swallowed tightly as the woman tilted his head one way and then the other.

“He is untried?” the woman asked.

“Yes,” Randal replied. “I’ve kept him on a very short leash for obvious reasons.”

What the hell?

Bug shot his father a look as a cold sinking feeling began to swamp him. His father seemed totally uninterested in what was going on here. Bug was actually kind of surprised the man wasn’t on the phone or computer.

The woman on the other hand, she seemed very interested. Bug just didn’t quite understand what she was interested in.

“He’ll do,” Vivian said before walking back over to pick up her drink.

“Very good,” Randal replied. “I’ll make arrangements to have the contract drawn up as soon as possible.”

“Sir?”

Bug wished he had kept his mouth shut when his father raised his eyes and looked at him. He hated having the man’s attention. It never ended well for him, but finding out what was going on was a burning need.

Randal stared at bug just long enough for him to drop his eyes and shuffle his feet.

He really should have kept his mouth shut.

“I’ll have his stuff packed and ready to go tomorrow,” Randal said, obviously having turned his attention to the blond.

“Will that be soon enough?”

“No need to pack anything,” Vivian replied. “I’ll provide anything he needs. In fact, I’d prefer if he came with nothing except his collar. I’ll bring it with me in the morning. Just have him ready to go after I sign the contract.”

Bug watched Vivian walk back toward him out of the corner of his eye. When she grabbed a handful of his hair and yanked his head back, Bug gasped as pain ripped through his head where the hair pulled.

“He’ll do nicely,” she said as her eyes roamed over my face. “I imagine he’ll give me lots of pups.”

Bug’s eyes rounded before shooting to his father. “Pups?”

“Yes, Vivian is in need of a mate. She’s agreed to take you in exchange for treaty between our two packs. You’ll be going home with her tomorrow.”

“I can’t!” Bug’s cry was desperate, frightened.

“You will,” Randal snapped. “It’s already been decided.”

“I’m gay.”

Oh, Bug knew immediately he had said the wrong thing. It was a secret he had hidden from everyone except his brother since the moment he knew he preferred men to women. Being gay wasn’t allowed in his father’s pack.

Vivian’s chuckled chilled him to the bone. “I don’t need your agreement to get what I want, Bartholomew. Man or woman, it doesn’t matter what you prefer. You’ll do your duty to me one way or another.”

God, she was just as sick and twisted as his father.

“No,” Bug said. “I won’t do it.”

Vivian sighed before releasing Bug. For a moment, he thought she might have understood he couldn’t mate her.

Oh, how wrong he was.

She walked over and picked up her coat and gloves before turning to look at Randal. “I will be back in the morning to sign the contract and pick my new mate up.” She pulled on her coat and then slid her gloves onto her hands. “Try not to damage him too much. I will need to start mating him right away.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Randal replied.

When the door closed behind Vivian, Bug raised his eyes to his father. “Father, I can’t—” The rest of his words died behind his cry as his father backhanded him.

“How dare you embarrass me like that,” the man shouted. “Vivian Dumont is alpha of one of the strongest packs on the east coast. A treaty between our packs will make us stronger than any other shifters in the states.”

“But, she’s not my ma—” Bug cried out as his father hit him again.

“I do not care!” the alpha shouted. “You will do as you are told or I will turn you over to my enforcers. They will teach you your place.”

Fear clawed its way through Bug, leaving pain in its wake. He’d seen what happened to people who had been turned over to the enforcers. They were never the same again. He didn’t want to end up like that, but he couldn’t mate with someone who wasn’t his true mate, especially not a woman.

“Father—” The word was barely out of Bug’s mouth before he was laying on the floor, cradling his aching face in his hands as he watched his father stalk to the door, fling it open, and call for his enforcers.



ADULT EXCERPT

“Let me claim you, mate,” Bear whispered against Bug’s lips as his tongue traced along Bug’s bottom lip, making his entire body shiver with need.

“Yes.” It was that easy. Bug wiggled under Bear, wanting to get closer. He was desperate to feel the man’s large, thick cock in his ass. The man was a bronzed god. Bug wanted to lick every inch of the man’s body. Bug leaned forward, placed his hands on well-sculpted thighs, and took Bear’s cock into his mouth.

“Son of a bitch!” Bear shouted, his thighs shaking.

Bug worked the thick cock, licking and humming the whole time. He felt two large, beefy hands sliding through his curls as he lapped up the pre-cum spilling onto his tongue.

“That’s it, pup. Suck my cock. Take it all in,” Bear crooned as his fingers continued to skim through Bug’s hair. “You can do it, baby. Just relax your throat.”

Bug stopped himself from gagging and then did as Bear asked. Bug found the man’s shaft daunting. Not only was Travis thick as hell, the man had to be at least eight inches long.

“Slow, pup.” Bear hissed as Bug took in another inch. He could feel the head slipping further down his throat. His lips were stretched wide, but Bug was determined to take all of the hardened cock.

“Oh, god,” Bear said as his legs shook harder. “That’s it, pup…that’s…it.”

Taking in a deep breath through his nose, Bug pushed forward, feeling Bear’s erection slide all the way in until the wiry hairs at Bear’s groin tickled his nose.

“Fuck, baby!” Bear’s hands gripped Bug’s curls as his hips snapped forward. It was a slow, sensual fuck. The man’s cock was going down Bug’s throat, and then pulling back. He didn’t need to make a tight suction. Bear’s dick filled his mouth to the stretching point already.

“Oh, damn,” Bear said with a groan.

And then Bear pulled back, letting Bug suck the head with enjoyment. It also gave him a moment to catch his breath. He wrapped his hand around the base, retracting several inches, making it easier for him to take his mate back into his mouth. Bear ran his fingers under Bug’s chin. When Bug looked up, Bear’s green eyes were watching him closely. Bear pulled back. The cock Bug had been sucking on popped from his mouth. Bug raised one brow, asking without words what Bear was doing.

“God, look at you,” Bear said as he trailed his fingers over Bug’s swollen lips. “You look so good when you’ve been sucking me into your mouth.” The man grinned as he pulled Bug up. “I want some of this ass.” Bear’s voice was strained, almost as if he was just as desperate as Bug was to feel their skin collide. “On your stomach.”

Bug swallowed around the dry lump in his throat. He turned around, giving Bear a nice view of his ass, trying desperately to tempt the man into claiming him. Bear grabbed an ass cheek in each hand, giving the flesh a light squeeze. The sensual hold made Bug’s hole pulse with need.

Bug cried out when he felt a finger rim around his entrance. A slight pressure applied, and then Bear’s finger sank in deep. Bug panted heavily, wanting to feel more but needing a minute to adjust.

Bear’s fingers push deep, and then pull back. Bear added a second finger and went in search of his prostate. Bug moaned as the long, thick fingers that seemed to fill him so perfectly brushed across his prostate with every movement of Bear’s hand. A third finger quickly joined the first two, thrusting several times before they were removed. A feeling of emptiness started to overwhelm Bug until he felt the blunt head of Bear’s cock pushing at his entrance. Bug sighed with pleasure as he felt his mate’s cock pop past the tight muscle and fill him completely.

“So good, baby…so good.” Bear slid his hands down Bug’s sides and then gripped his flesh. Shivers broke out all over Bug’s body when Bear’s hand snaked up his neck and over his scalp as Bear grabbed a fistful of Bug’s hair and gave a light tug. He could feel Bear’s balls slapping his as the man jetted into him. He began begging Bear to fuck him harder. He was held still by his mate’s hard body, his plunging hips, and the need to come. Each thrust nailed his gland, and Bug moaned, undulating as they moved together.

Bug lifted his ass higher as he shouted out his pleasure. Bear slid in and out of Bug’s ass so fast Bug had a hard time staying on his knees. He was on the verge of coming. He wasn’t about to let this moment end so soon, but if Bear kept up at his current pace, he was a goner.

Bug let his head fall to the side, giving Bear room to claim him. He knew he was a goner with that large cock shoved in his ass. Bear knew how to use it and make Bug scream with pleasure.

Bear licked the side of Bug’s neck, causing him to cry out in pleasure. Bug screamed at the top of his lungs when Bear leaned forward and bit into his neck. His mind splintered as his cock exploded, pulling his balls so tight to his body as they emptied that Bug thought they would stay that way permanently.

Bear growled around the puncture wound in Bug’s neck as his cock hammered into Bug’s ass. Bug lifted his ass higher, giving Bear room to plunge deeper.

Bear extracted his teeth and they began to move together. Burying his head in Bug’s damp hair, Bear moved a little faster, his thrusts becoming a little more desperate.

Bug could feel the white-hot fingers of fire moving down his spine now as Bear thrust inside the tight depths of Bug’s body, making him groan on every stroke.

“You feel so good,” Bear whispered as his hand went to Bug’s cock and stroked it to the rhythm of his fucking. Bug felt his heart racing even faster as Bear kissed a trail across his shoulder.

“Come for me again, Bug.”

”Yes!” Bug hissed. He couldn’t take it anymore and he screamed as his orgasm slammed into him. His cock erupted and cum coated his stomach.

Bear yanked Bug up, wrapped his arms around Bug’s chest, and then thrust into him until the man was roaring. Bug could feel his mate’s cock pulse with his release as he lay there desperately trying to catch his breath.

“You’re mine now, Bug.”

Sweeter words had never been spoken to Bug.


Wednesday, October 25, 2017

NEW RELEASE: Quarter 'til Midnight (Midnight, Mississippi, Book 2)

Book Two in the Midnight, Mississippi series is OUT NOW!


Garret and Solomon have had a love-hate relationship for years. Solomon loves getting under the lion shifter’s skin and Garret hates how easily the dragon does it. One night at the local pub brings them nose to nose again, while celebrating the recent matehood of Reese, Theis, and Colm.

By the end of the night, the pair are heading out into the human world, on a mission for Reese, to check on his exiled friends.

Regardless of the mind-wiping the Midnight transit authority attempted, Hart remembers his time inside the paranormal world—however brief it was. He also knows someone’s missing. Unwilling to leave Reese behind, he must return to Midnight at any cost.

He just didn’t expect to arrive there kicking and screaming, tossed over someone’s shoulder like a sack of potatoes.





Hart was back in Midnight. Well, the station they’d arrived in by train before unceremoniously being dumped back out in the human world—without Reese. The place was as loud and chaotic as it had been the last times he’d been there. Lines queued up, filled with a bevy of paranormal entities—though he struggled to see things from his upside down view.

Blood rushed to his head, making his ears ring. Hart beat against the strong back of the man holding him. No matter what he did, he couldn’t break free from the iron band of an arm holding him.

His whole body shook, his mind a riot.

Something akin to need raged within him and he couldn’t understand it.

He forced himself to grow calm and listened to a conversation the man holding him was having.

“What do you mean, he remembers?” a deep voice asked.

Hart lifted his head and caught a dark-skinned man’s eye.

His golden eyes. They glowed when he stared at Hart. Just as the other man’s had glowed blue outside. This man was… just as handsome. But it was more than that… Hart felt drawn to the man, just like he’d felt an odd connection the one now holding him.

He sucked in a breath, mesmerized by the sight of those eyes.

“Let me down,” he commanded after a moment.

Hart was lowered to the floor. He spun to face the two men, watching them carefully. “Where’s Reese?”

“Safe,” the dark skinned man said.

“And you expect me to believe that?”

“I can bring him here to show you,” the man answered, the thick, rich sound of his voice giving Hart goose bumps.

“No,” the other man said, the man who’d abducted him.

“Why not? What are you hiding?” Hart demanded.

“That wasn’t part of the job,” the man hissed to the one with glowing, golden eyes.

“Neither was bringing him back into Midnight, I’d assume,” the dark man growled back.

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Sunday Spotlight - April Andrews and Free the Beasts



Also find it on AMAZON

Excerpt

Patrick, the head scientist of this little freak show, loved to suck cock. And not just now and then, and not just as a prelude to the main event, but all the time, and as often as he possibly could. In that he reminded Ellis of Dr. Christian.

Dr. Christian…Ellis sighed…it was actually Dr. Christian’s fault that Ellis found himself in his current position.

Stuck in a lab.

Trapped in a lab.

And at the mercy of all the shifters in here who wanted to get their hands on a hot, little omega.

Well, Ellis frowned, it wasn’t just Dr. Christian. Ellis had to take a little bit of the blame. After all, no one had forced him to accept Christian’s advances, no one had forced his cock into Christian’s mouth…and no one could have known that Dr. Christian’s wife would walk in on them just as they were getting into the swing of things.

She had not been happy. Ellis could remember well the look on her face as she caught her husband with a mouth full of cum. As a ranking scientist in Meta Pharmaceuticals, she had ultimately been responsible for sending Ellis here.

A puzzle she’d called it.

He only had to find his way out the other side.

Only then would he be able to return to his old life.

Of course, she’d neglected to mention that there were three beasts between him and the other side of the lab, and that each and every one of them were expecting to be pleasured by the latest omega introduced into their environment.

She probably imagined it as a fitting punishment. Ellis getting his just desserts. Ellis had too in the beginning, once he realized exactly what was happening.

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Damned Good Food - Chicken Madiera from Natasha's Kitchen

OMFG... this is likely the best thing I've ever put in my mouth.  I found the recipe on Facebook... and the kidult and I love asparagus, mushrooms, and chicken (and yes, I've fallen off the no-meat wagon... hard.  Bounced a few times as it left me behind...), so what could go wrong?

Yet, the Madeira threw me  bit.  My kid is a bit on the fence about foods cooked in wine, so I was hoping it turned out well and that she'd like it. 

We both wanted to lick the pan for that sauce!  Sooooo good.  This recipe EASILY slipped into regular rotation in our dinner menu.  We've had it twice in the last 30 days already and I'm ready for more!

It looks like there's a lot of steps--just get all your items prepped early and it'll save you.  By the second time I made this, I flew right through with ease.

For step by step directions from the author of the recipe -- check the author's site.
Chicken Madeira Recipe 
(Cheesecake Factory Copycat)

Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 45 mins Total time: 1 hour

Juicy chicken and mushrooms in creamy sauce under melty cheese... This creamy Chicken Madeira is a copycat recipe of the most popular dish at the Cheesecake Factory.
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Skill Level: Easy/Medium
Cost To Make: $20-$25
Serving: 4 as a main course


Ingredients

1 lb (2 large) Chicken Breasts, halved lengthwise and pounded to an even ¼" thickness
1 lb asparagus, blanched*
Salt and Pepper
4 Tbsp Butter, divided
2 Tbsp Olive Oil, divided
16 oz button mushrooms, thickly sliced
1 small or ½ medium yellow onion, finely diced
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped, plus to garnish
1½ cups Madeira Wine (sweet white wine)*
1½ cups beef stock or broth
½ cup whipping Cream (heavy or regular)
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

To blanch asparagus: Remove fibrous stems from asparagus by snapping them off. Fill a medium pot with 6 cups water, bring to a boil and add 1 Tbsp salt. Add asparagus and boil uncovered until crisp tender and bright green (2-3 minutes then remove from hot water and set aside). **I cook them 2-3 minutes longer -- I like my asparagus a little softer**

Place a large heavy (oven-safe) pan over medium/high heat and melt in 2 Tbsp butter and 1 Tbsp oil. Add sliced mushrooms and cook 5 min until soft. Stir in diced onion and cook 3 min. Add minced garlic cloves then season with ¼ tsp salt and ¼ tsp black pepper and 2 Tbsp parsley. Cook another 2 min then remove mixture to a plate and wipe skillet clean with wet paper towel.

Slice chicken breasts in half lengthwise and pound each cutlet between plastic wrap until no more than ¼" thick. Season chicken all over with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp black pepper. ***I did this step as I blanched the asparagus to save time***

Place same pan you cooked the onions, etc, over medium/high heat and add 2 Tbsp butter and 1 Tbsp oil. When butter is finished foaming, add chicken breasts and sauté 3 to 4 min per side or until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken from pan to the same plate with mushrooms. ***I added to top of onions to help them stay warm***

In the same pan, add 1½ cups Madeira and boil until reduced by half (5 minutes vigorous boiling), scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Add 1½ cups beef broth and boil until ⅔ cup liquid remains or about ¼ of it's original volume (10 min). Reduce heat to medium, add ½ cup cream and simmer until sauce thickens (2 min). Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Return chicken to the pan, turning it to coat in the sauce. Top with mushrooms, asparagus and sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top. Broil 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted. Remove from oven, garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

*Madeira is often found at the liquor and wine store - not carried in many grocery stores. About $6/bottle. (I found it in my local grocery store for $8-- and the bottle I purchased was enough to make the meal twice)

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Wednesday Mancandy - Just Because

I have been love with Pat Lee's photography for some time.  I've used many of them as muses - to help me picture a character.  I thought I'd share one or two (or three or four... there are so many awesome ones!) for a little mid-week pick me up. If you've like to see more, check out the photographer's website!







All photos copyright Pat Lee

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Sunday Spotlight - Jayson Jax and Seized by the Cavemen





Can also be purchased on AMAZON



Seized by the Cavemen

Caveman Isle, 3

Copyright © 2017 by Jayson Jax



The loud thump of the bass below vibrated through Drew Colesworth’s body. Seated in a dark corner of the same BDSM club in which he’d been confronted with the chance to fly to some distant island by his friend Jaime, he was now a changed man. He lifted his drink to his lips and took a sip, watching the patrons around him having the time of their lives. He wasn’t having the time of his life. The drink in his hand had no flavor. While those around him were enjoying each other, sharing their bodies, he was alone and lacked the desire to be touched.

He’d come, hoping it would’ve dragged him out of his moroseness. A few weeks since returning from the island and all he could think about were the two men he’d left behind.

Men? Cavemen, was more like it. Subjects of Jaime’s father’s sick, twisted experiments. The cavemen had claimed the island, killed Jaime’s father, and then captured both he and Jaime soon after. While in their ‘care’, some of the males had had their way with them both.

Drew attempted to be angry about that. He’d had two, barely verbal cavemen take him night after night…

That wasn’t what he was angry about, though.

He was angry because he’d liked it much more than he should have.

He was angry because all he could think about was returning to their bed and letting them have him every night for the rest of his life.

Which, of course, was insanity.

Promising to keep his knowledge of the island and its violent coup to himself if he was released, he had done just that for weeks. He and Jaime had arrived back in England, each in one piece. Since, he’d avoided Jaime—unwilling to relive those days on the island one more time and be reminded what he’d left behind.

Move on. Get them out of your system. Find someone else to fuck them out of your system.

A man slid into the seat beside him, causing his drink to crest over the edge of the rim, drip down his hand and onto his thigh. “Sod off!”

“Sorry, mate,” the man said, his voice barely audible over the thump of the music on the lower level. The man turned to eye Drew.

And it was obvious how he intended to apologize from that look.

A hand brushed over Drew’s leg, fingers almost caressing his soft cock.

“I didn’t mean to make a mess… I can clean that up for you,” the man whispered into his ear.

Drew turned to really look at the man. Tall. Handsome. Finely built. The kind of lips that looked really good wrapped around a cock, although the pretty ones were usually not all that good at giving head in his experience. Smelled pretty good, too. Any other time before the island and Drew would’ve been hard and ready to fuck right there on the spot. Even a bad blow job was better than no blow job, right?

“No, thank you,” Drew said, turning away.

“What?” the guy asked. “Seriously?”

“I’m not interested,” Drew cried above the sound of the music.

From the look on the man’s face, he wasn’t used to being told no. “What’re you here for if you’re not looking to fuck?”

“Good question,” Drew said before draining his glass. He laid it on the table before him before rising. “Night,” he said to the shocked looking man before heading down to the front door.

Before he could make it out, he stopped at a scene playing out before the guests. A male submissive was bound to a bench—his wrists and ankles cuffed to the legs—all while two brawny Doms circled him. The pair used floggers to swat at his back, buttocks, and thighs, leaving them all pink and marked from the sensual torment.

For the first time all night, his cock grew hard at the sight. But what he saw wasn’t three strangers. All he could see was him, tied to his bed, while his two cavemen drove him to the edge and past. They’d tormented his flesh and marked his soul.

How they’d done it, he still wasn’t sure.

By the time one of the Doms had his cock in the sub’s mouth, Drew felt a hand caressing his hard staff. Looking down, he spied a hand that wasn’t his own. His gaze trailed up the thick forearm to the face he’d just refused.

“I knew you had it in you,” the man whispered in his ear.

Drew swallowed. The hand felt good, but it was all mechanical at this stage. He was hot and bothered from memories of his lovers, not anyone there at that moment.

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Sunday Spotlight - Lisa Oliver and Dragon's Heat

So I was supposed to post this LAST SUNDAY and I lost my everlovin' mind and forgot to put up the post.  Lisa Oliver is an awesome lady and amazing author! I feel terrible I forgot the week she'd signed up for!

Show her some love after I abused her!!

Lisa is here to share a bit about her recent release - Dragon's Heat - City Dragon's Book 1

Jon Erskine had made a good life for himself as one of the top Forensic Accounts and Systems Analysts in the country. He doesn't mind working with paranormal clients - after all, he's a shifter himself. However, he could do without all the slurs and derogatory comments. Not all shifters are wolves, bears and other predators. Still, his expertise and reputation is solid and Jon is more than capable of holding his own. That is until Dirk Hollingsworth runs from his office. 

Dirk is running out of time. He has to find out who's been stealing from his company before his father turns up for his wedding in three weeks' time. Acting on the recommendation of a friend, Dirk turns to Jon, or at least thinks about it. That is, until he catches the man's scent in the doorway of his office and does a runner. Not the proudest moment for one of the proudest of all shifters, but Dirk has a responsibility to his clan and catching the tantalizing scent of a dog isn't going to change anything. Or so he thinks.

Family betrayals, a strong-willed dragon spirit; all things collide as Jon and Dirk struggle to find common ground. Calling off the wedding is easy; staying alive might be that much harder. 

SMASHWORDS  *  AMAZON  *  PRINT


“You’re wearing a track in the carpet,” Bryce commented as he fixed his hair.

“I thought I told you to go out,” Dirk snapped. “This is a private meeting.” There was no way he was calling this dinner a date.

“A meeting? Right. Complete with a two hundred dollar bottle of champagne and the finest steaks money can buy. I think you’ll find Jon has simpler tastes.”

“I ordered those for me. I don’t care what Jon likes or doesn’t like. He’ll have what I’m having.”

Bryce’s eyes narrowed. “If you think like that, then why the hell are you going through this farce? You’ve no intention of claiming the man.”

“You said it yourself. My dragon’s in a snit with me. When he scents Jon, he’ll come back and we can get the hell out of this town.”

“Leaving Jon behind.” Bruce snatched up his jacket. “You really are the epitome of your kind. Rude, arrogant, and thorough bastards, the lot of you. I seriously think it’s time I started looking for new employment.”

“You mean you’d take him as a mate?” Dirk scoffed. “You wolves are more elitist than dragons.”

“I’d take him in a heartbeat if he were mine.” Bryce stalked over and poked Dirk hard in the chest, reminding him he was still bruised from before. “Unlike dragons who think their shit don’t stink and anyone from any other species is beneath them, wolves know how precious a true mate is. A gift from the fates. The one person created just for them to be a perfect companion and lover in every way. I would be over the moon if Jon were mine.”

“Yeah, well, that just goes to show you don’t have standards. Poke me again and I’ll fire your ass.”

“You don’t have to fire me,” Bryce’s finger bore a hole in his chest, pushing Dirk back. “I quit. Anyone who’d use their mate for personal gain is nothing more than a stupid asshole, and you, my friend, have just leaped to the top of the heap.” Dropping his jacket, Bryce stormed into his room, and Dirk heard drawers opening and slamming shut. A few minutes later, he came back into the room, his suitcase trundling behind him. Jacket slung over his shoulder, Bryce grabbed his wallet and keys, purposefully leaving behind the hotel key card. If looks could kill, Dirk would have been a pile of ash on the floor but Bryce didn’t say another word as he wrenched open the door.

To find Jon standing on the other side of it, his hand raised as if he was going to knock. His eyebrows rose as he noticed Bryce’s case. “Have I come at a bad time?”

“Nothing, I can’t handle,” Bryce snapped. “You’ve still got my number, right?”

Jon nodded.

“Call me tomorrow.” Bryce marched toward the elevator, his suitcase rattling behind him.

“I can come back, if you’ve got things to do?” Dirk realized Jon was talking to him and shook his head.

“No. I promised you dinner. Come in. It’ll be here momentarily.” Dirk was still shocked at Bryce’s defection. He knew he wasn’t the most caring of bosses, but Bryce had been more than his PA. Dirk considered him one of his truest friends and with him and Raoul both supportive of Jon, there was a niggle in the back of his brain that suggested he might be about to make an epic mistake.

“I have some preliminary findings about your case,” Jon said quietly and Dirk realized he was holding his briefcase like a shield. “Did you want to look over them now, or wait until after dinner?”

“Now is fine,” Dirk indicated the coffee table. His breath caught as Jon moved past him. Jon had clearly come straight from the office. His pale lavender shirt was clean and pressed, but the crease in his black pants suggested he’d been in them all day. For a moment, Dirk longed to pull the man into his arms and bury his nose in his mate’s neck, but the bulge in Jon’s pants held him back. He’d never been with a man and he had no intention of starting now, no matter how good Jon smelled. When Jon sat on the couch and pulled some papers from his case, Dirk pulled over one of the chairs from the small dining table and sat opposite him.


About the Author


Lisa Oliver had been writing non-fiction books for years when visions of half dressed, buff men started invading her dreams.  Unable to resist the lure of her stories, Lisa decided to switch to fiction books, and now stories about her men clamor to get out from under her fingertips.

When Lisa is not writing, she is usually reading with a cup of tea always at hand. Her grown children and grandchildren sometimes try and pry her away from the computer and have found that the best way to do it, is to promise her chocolate.  Lisa will do anything for chocolate.

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Saturday, October 7, 2017

Saturday Spotlight - Victoria Vallo and His Timid Fox

Welcome Victoria Vallo back to Spotlight.  She's sharing a bit from her new release -- His Timid Fox, the second book in her Shifters of Arizia series.


Viktor accepts a new position in Vane Godwin’s household and immediately meets a man he wants to have in his bed. But this time, it won’t be that easy. Thomas might be attracted to him, but Viktor soon learns the younger man’s heart isn’t free. Or so Thomas says…

Thomas is hurt when his childhood friend Bella can’t see him as anything more than a friend, but he knows life has to go on. His new friend Viktor makes that much easier, starting the day Thomas accidentally spills the details of his heartbreak to the man.

But the gods had a plan when they steered Viktor to the right city, and Thomas feels his heart recovering far faster than he’d anticipated. Thomas has always had a plan in place and every part of his life in order, but the chaos the gods bring might be just what he truly needs.



Viktor enjoyed seeing Thomas smile back at him. Visions of the two of them skinny dipping in the ocean immediately filled his mind, but he tried not to focus on them. Everyone kept telling him how shy Thomas was, so it made him feel good to see the younger man warming to him and opening up so much.


“I love the water, so I try to come down to the beach as much as I can when we’re in a port village,” Thomas said.

“Do you swim as a fox?”

“Not in the ocean. I’m too small. I’d get swept away.”

“I’d come out and save you.”

Thomas smiled again. “As a man or a bear? I think it might panic if you had me in your mouth.” He paused, his eyes going a bit wide, and then he looked forward, possibly hoping Viktor hadn’t picked up on how that sounded.

“As a man,” Viktor said, wanting to tease Thomas but letting it go. I doubt you’d panic if I had your cock in my mouth. Or any other part of you. “I’m too big and awkward as a bear. The currents would be impossible to swim through.” He paused before adding, “Though I once carried a bear cub in my mouth. He panicked at first, but then settled down.”

“What? Really?” Thomas exclaimed, apparently intrigued enough to forget to be embarrassed by his unintentional double entendre earlier.

“Yeah. It was hurt. Its mother dead. But it was scared of me as a man, probably because hunters killed its mother. I shifted to calm it down and took it to a local wise woman. It wasn’t afraid of her. She helped it for a few weeks, and then I helped her get it to an area where it would thrive.”

“Was it all right, in the end?”

“I think so. It seemed happy.”

“Are both of your parents bear shifters?”

“Yes. I have one sister who can’t shift, but all of my other siblings can.” He clasped his hands behind his back. “There are twelve of us.”

Thomas blinked rapidly, his mouth falling open. “Twelve?”

“Uh huh. My parents are pretty fond of each other.”

Thomas laughed. “They’d have to be.” After a few seconds, he asked, “Do you want children?”

“It was constant chaos growing up with so many siblings, yet I’m sort of used to the madness. Never really given it much thought. Guess it depends. Can’t have children with a man, and I do tend to prefer male lovers.” He shrugged. “Guess I’ll have to wait and see. Have to find someone to tolerate me first.”

Thomas gazed at him a long time. “I think you’re being modest. Everyone likes you. The maids are all swooning over you. And like I said, some of the stable hands have been eyeing you.”

“Not the same as living with someone and washing his dirty socks.”

Thomas stopped as they reached the sand, crossing his arms and sighing. “Yeah. You’re right. You have to really be devoted to take that step. Marriage. Family.”

Not wanting to dwell on the subject, Viktor said, “Both of your parents foxes?”

Thomas looked down a moment, but then his expression cleared. “Yes.” He looked over at Viktor. “Thanks, but you don’t have to avoid the subject.”

“Just trying to take care of my new friend.” He sat on a large rock and took his boots off. “What color are you?”

“Very dark red. My mom is a white fox, though. She’s so beautiful. Completely white with just a little hint of light auburn on her face.”

Viktor propped his boots against the rock and began rolling his breeches up as Thomas sat beside him and removed his boots, too. “Sounds gorgeous. Are you from Castile?” Viktor asked.

“Yes, but my grandparents on both sides live in the mountains between the Arun and Mera regions, not too far from Castile. My parents went to the city for jobs when they married.”

“You’re happy in the city?”

“Yes.” Thomas stood and made his way toward the water. “How do you feel about staying in one place for so long? Think you’ll get restless?”

“I think I might, but I’m sure I’ll be busy.”

“There’s always plenty to do, though I hope there won’t be a lot of need for your protection.”

“Don’t try to get rid of me. I’m going to be very well paid.”

Thomas stepped into the water and sighed, the sound much more content this time. “I wouldn’t dream of getting rid of you.”

“Good,” Viktor said softly.

Thomas didn’t look at him, but Viktor saw his expression shift a little.

He even thought he saw a hint of a smile.


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