Blurb:
A war is brewing between the werewolf packs. In an
attempt to save his sister, Emily, from being used as a breeder, Devon Harris
flees his home with his sister, her boyfriend Marcus, and their brother
Vincent, seeking refuge at his Uncle Rick's ranch. There he meets the fiery
human Lark. In the midst of a war, does he dare let himself fall for her?
Lark Davies has been the sole provider for herself and
sister since her parents died in an accident three years ago. Rick Harris has
been like a second father to her. When his nephew comes to town, sparks
immediately begin to fly as Lark finds herself drawn even further into the
werewolf world.
Lark opened her eyes, taking in the pitch black hotel
room, illuminated only by the moonlight. Sweat beaded around her neck and brow.
Hair stuck to the nape of her neck. She sat up and looked around at the barely
visible furniture. Movement by the window caught her eye.
Devon stood at the window arms crossed over his chest.
His broad shoulders accented by the bright white of the moon. Lark stared at
the fine plains of his bare back. She licked her lips taking him all in. Her
body shuddered recalling the way he’d felt pressed against her - the way his
lips had caressed hers a day ago.
Lark blinked the images away. Thankful for the darkness
that hid the heat creeping across her face. Her throat parched, she pushed the
covers back to get a drink of water from the sink.
The cool water alleviated some of the heat, and glided
down her parched throat. She pushed the wet strands out of her face and walked
to the window. Devon hadn’t moved. Preston and the three other guys lay sound
asleep on the floor. They’d been kind enough to give her the only bed.
“Do you not sleep?” Lark joined him at the window. Her
eyes glued to the door across the street. To think, her sister was in that
room. Lark wondered if Sarah was okay. Was she sleeping? In pain? Would they
hurt her? The list went on and on.
“It’s my turn to keep watch. Daniel said they wouldn’t
leave till morning, but I don’t want to risk it.” Devon looked over at her for
a moment his eyes slipped down to take in her plaid pants before he turned back
to the window.
She’d gone with Preston to the store earlier to pick up a
few things. They’d both needed the distraction. She normally slept in
boy-shorts, but after her run in with Devon the other morning, and considering
she was sharing a room with five guys, she had thought better.
“Oh, I didn’t realize you guys were keeping watch. I can
keep a look out if you want to rest.”
“It’s okay. Preston will take over in another half hour.”
Devon shrugged. “I’m used to the late nights; it’s actually been a little bit
of shell shock to get used to days. As an EMT I worked the twelve hour night
shift. Most incidents happen at night, you get used to being up all night. My
nights off I usually spent out too. Vincent likes to party. I went along for
something to do and keep him out of trouble.”
“I can see that about Vincent. I bet you’ve seen some
interesting things on your job?”
Devon smiled, the moonlight lit his hazel eyes. “People
never cease to amaze you. I’ve seen the traumatic to the dramatic.”
Lark laughed. “I can imagine. You see stories on the news
every so often, where someone calls 911 for a cheeseburger, or something
ridiculous like that.”
“Those are the people who don’t understand the absorbent
bill they get in the mail for our services either,” Devon chuckled.
The smile lit his entire face. It gave her a rare glimpse
of him. Lark wondered what had happened in his past to make him so distant.
Slowly, he seemed to be opening up to her. She hoped he continued to do so.
“I’m sure you get interesting characters in The Cookie
Jar.”
“Yeah, about half my customers are regulars. It’s kind of
nice getting to talk to everyone. You’d be amazed what people tell you though.
I’ve heard so many things that I really didn’t want to know.” Lark placed her
hands on the windowsill, leaning forward. She peered out the sheer curtains.
Her thoughts drifted back to Sarah and Emily; at least
they had each other.
“They won’t hurt her.”
Lark looked up at him surprised, taking a moment to
register his words. She nodded and sighed, eyes darting back to the door across
the street. The street seemed to stretch endlessly. It felt like miles
separated them instead of mere feet. She would feel better once she could hold
Sarah in her arms again.
“Have you ever thought about becoming a doctor or a
nurse? You know taking your training to the next level?” Lark needed a
distraction and she was curious about Devon.
“My bedside manner sucks.”
Lark met his smile. “But would you?”
Devon leaned forward before rocking back on his heels. “I
don’t know. I never really thought about it.”
Lark nodded. “I always enjoyed baking. I never in my life
thought I’d own my own bakery. But I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”
“I do like the blueberry muffins.”
“You guys do seem to have a sweet tooth. Well, actually,
I’ve noticed you guys eat just about anything.”
Devon laughed. “It’s our metabolism. Especially when we
shift a lot; it makes us hungry.”
“I can tell.” Lark looked over at him. “Do you do it
often? Shift I mean?”
“I try to once a day; some days, like when I worked, I
couldn’t. The wolf is a part of who we are. Shifting is important for our
mental well being. As a rule, we try to shift three to four times a week. The
only exception is when women are pregnant. The shift is harmful to the fetus
since the body transforms from a human into a wolf.”
“Does it hurt when you change?” Lark couldn’t stop
herself from asking.
“It’s a pleasure pain.”
“I imagine it’s exhilarating.”
“You really are genuinely interested aren’t you?” Devon
turned to her eyes locked on hers.
Lark swallowed at the intensity of his gaze and lowered
her eyes to the floor.
“I…I’m not trying to be rude.”
“I know.” Devon’s fingers grazed her chin, tilting it
back up. “I’ve never met someone who’s been so understanding - who’s wanted to
learn more.”
His thumb cupped her chin softly eyes glued to hers. She
licked her lips in anticipation.
Slowly his face inched toward hers, their breath mingled.
Her heart raced, and body scorched with arousal. His woodsy scent filled her
nostrils. Eyes closed, his lips grazed against hers. Devon’s stubble scratched
her chin; his lips so soft against hers.
I am happily married to my husband of nine years and have
two wonderful children.
I have always loved reading and writing and am thrilled
to have published my first novel.
Paranormal romance is my go to genre and the genre I
prefer to write in. I love the unique feel of creating an entirely different
world and implementing it into the human verse.
Hi, thank you so much for taking the time to feature my book during my tour. I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteBethany Shaw