True
By: Laurann Dohner
ISBN
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9781419939754
|
Book Length
|
Super Plus Novel
|
Publisher
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Ellora's Cave
Publishing Inc.
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Format Ebook
Imprint: Romantica®
Line: Twilight
Series: New Species
Series Number: 11
Jeanie loves a New Species and is willing to pay for that
love with pain, tears and heartbreak. She’ll do anything to keep 710 alive but
she never wants him to know how she suffered for him. He’s the reason for her
mission in life—freeing others like him.
True has a new life working with the NSO to rescue his
people. A good life, until he encounters a dying woman—the female who betrayed
him. True should feel gratified that she’s finally going to pay for her crimes,
but she claims to be a victim too. He is still irresistibly drawn to the pretty
little human who touched his heart and made him want her. When he clasps her
hand to offer comfort, his instincts kick in and True will fight everyone to
protect her.
“I tried to save them all. Did they make it? Did they all
survive?”
He blinked. “They made it. No Species died.”
Tears blinded her but she blinked them back, desperate to
keep looking at him. She’d succeeded in saving all the men and women trapped
inside the building. It had come at a high price but she had known the risks
when she’d driven to work that morning. So many of them—their lives were more
important than hers. She closed her eyes and a sense of peace came, blocking
out some of the pain.
“Shiver?” He growled her name. “Open your eyes.”
The demand was one she couldn’t resist as she peered at him
again. He’d inched closer until his warm breath fanned her lips. Breathing took
effort as she struggled to make her lungs keep functioning. Blood loss and her
body going into shock took its toll. She hoped she smiled when she tried,
wanting to convey to him that it was okay.
“Don’t die,” he rasped. “Hang on.” He glanced away.
“Faster!” His tone deepened. “Get over here.”
“Move!” A man yelled and something heavy clattered to the
floor behind her. The coat she wore was jerked, material tore, and she couldn’t
prevent the whimper when gloved hands explored her now-exposed side.
“You will be fine.” 710 drew her focus. “Just stay with me.”
He nearly crushed her smaller hand with his, as if he could force the issue by
clinging to her tighter.
“Shit,” the medic cursed.
“Fix her,” 710 snarled.
“It’s bad,” the medic answered. “Jed, get your ass over
here. Open the kit and start an IV.”
Her mouth opened. She didn’t have the energy to tell 710 any
of the things she always wanted to say if they’d ever been alone without the
risk of being overheard by Dean Polanitis or the people who’d worked for him.
It was important that 710 understood how he’d changed her life and made her
realize her purpose was to save his kind. He was the motivation that had given
her the courage to conquer her fears. Not a day had passed since she’d laid
eyes on him that he hadn’t filled her thoughts or haunted her dreams.
“Shiver,” he said a little louder, “stay with me.”
Blackness claimed her.
I had a rather
short area here telling a little about myself but then I had more than a few
people ask me to expand it so... here goes. LOL. I'm a full time home
'supervisor' which is a nice word for saying I'm a housewife. I'm happily
married, I met my dream guy in 1989, and we have 4 children. I live in Nevada
and I can't function without iced coffee. I believe in romance, I've always
been a daydreamer, and I'm a HUGE fan of books - always have been.
No, I didn't know
that I always wanted to write. I inhaled books as a child. I read entire series
(Pippi Longstocking, Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, Trixie Beldon, The
Borrowers, etc) in a matter of days. By the time I turned nine years old I had
an adult library card where I visited often. I moved on to John Saul, Stephen
King, Richard Laymon, Agatha Christie, and then found romance. I got hooked. I
wrote poetry in my teens and then moved on to short stories. I started to write
my first book after I read a real bomb of one that ticked me off with really
horrible characters and a plot that was shabby at best. I thought...I could do
better!
I wrote my first
book which will probably never see the light of day in the early 90's. I wrote
a series of books from it. I'm a series fan! I kept writing for fun, wrote MANY
books and then in 2009 I decided to attempt to get published. I wrote my first
Sci Fi romance and Ral's Woman came to be. I submitted it and with a little
tweaking, Ellora’s cave sent me an acceptance letter. It was kind of a
'Cinderella' experience for me. It's been a terrific ride so far and I'm really
happy. It's a dream come true.
What is the toughest thing about being an author?
Plans get thrown out the window all the time. My muse rules
me. I’ve discovered if a story sticks in my head...if it fits into the schedule
I’ve outlined or not...yeah. Forget it. That’s kind of tough. I have to write
whatever story grabs hold of me and if I try to force it...it totally doesn’t
work. I stare at the page...thinking about the other book that is stuck in my
head. I go with the muse.
What do you love most about being an author?
I dreamed for sooooo many years of getting my stories out. I
can’t say this enough but I had written 54 books before I was published. Mate
Set and New Species (9 books) were a part of those original books. I’ll be
blunt. I’m a high school dropout. It doesn’t bother me but when I used to write
those stories and share my dream of being published...not everyone was
supportive. They thought it was a pipe dream and I was wasting a lot of my
nights typing away. I get to do what I LOVE now and no one can discourage me
from doing it because I’m actually doing it!!!
You really have to love writing to stick with it for as long
as I have, against such, well, bad odds of success. I love being able to share
my story and encourage other people to follow their dreams. I get emails from
people telling me how a story touched them in some way or just made them smile.
That’s...amazing! Seriously...amazing. Books always meant a lot to me growing
up. They were my escape when I needed
one from reality. To be able to give that to other people...it brings tears to
my eyes.
It’s November...Thanksgiving month...and that’s what I’m
thankful for. To be able to do what I love, to get my stories out, and to know
that the books can make someone smile when they really need to. I’m also
eternally grateful to my friends and especially to my family. I have the best
husband, seriously. He has always supported me in more ways than I can count
and has always encouraged me to follow my dreams. I also have to always give a
shout out to Ellora’s Xave and everyone who works there. They are a family to
me and they gave me my shot. I love writing for them and they make it a pure
pleasure. I’m so grateful to have them as a home for my books.
What are we doing for Thanksgiving?
We’re staying home. Mr. Laurann is going to cook. We usually
do Turkey and Prime Rib with all the fixings. I have a friend coming to stay at
the office house so we’ll have some company this year. My mother moved close to
us so she’ll be here too. I like to relax on Thanksgiving. Watch movies.
Just...hang out with the people I love and enjoy their company. Good food. Eat
too much. Not feel guilty about those two days of the year (Thanksgiving and
Christmas) when it’s just about having fun. Oh...and eat some pumpkin pie. I
love that! With whipped cream. Calories? What are those??? It’s Thanksgiving.
I’m hoping that our oldest daughter, our son-in-law, and our grandson will be
able to come for a visit soon so we can spend time with them.
Q - Is there anywhere that I can buy New Species, Cyborg, or
other merchandise for your books?
A - Not right now. I get that a lot and have looked into it.
Right now I’m really just trying to get the books out. Some contests are held
on my official Author page at Facebook HERE so like my page and you might win
something!!! Author Ditter Kellen runs them.
Q - Does (insert name here) get a book?
A - Most of the Species you’ve read about get books. I have
a LONG list. The most asked about are Breeze (yes), Ven (yes), Brass (yes),
Darkness (yes...NEXT book after True!!!), Jaded (yes), Jericho (yes), Smiley
(yes), and Flame (yes...and it’s Amanda). There are a lot more. All the Raines
brothers including Trip and Adam get books in that series. All the brothers,
including cousin Brand get books in the Mating Heat series...and even Alpha
Elroy. There are three more Zorn Warrior books planned for Zorn. Vhon,
Vinlotti, and Coto. I might write more later but for right now...that’s it on
that list for ZW. Cyborg Seduction and New Species are open series which means
I’m always adding names to the lists of books to write so plenty more Cyborgs
including Sky, Deviant, and Mavo...just to name a few.
Q - Do you REALLY have an O.H? What is the O.H?
A - Yes, we really bought a house that is about a block away
from my home to write at. I have three kids at home, 5 cats, and a wonderful
husband. I wrote my first book in 1993. I went on to write 54 more until that
55th one was Ral’s Woman and Ellora’s Cave picked it up to make me a published
author in 2009. I always wrote in a corner of my living room hunched over my
computer screen so my kids couldn’t read over my shoulder. It was grand central
because we have four kids (our oldest is married, has a child, and lives on her
own now). It was...crazy! Hectic! Now I write full time and Mr Laurann is
retired so he’s my wonderful ‘House Hunk’. It’s worth every penny to have a
quiet place to write with no distractions. It also gives us space to have
visitors stay from time to time. It was a dream of mine since I started writing
to have a writer’s retreat. It came true. It’s a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house and I
took over the master bedroom as my office. It even has a balcony and a view so
I’m inspired late nights when I go outside to sit at the table out there. I
needed more room too with all the promo stuff I do. I’ve got it now. It has a
loft we turned into a library. The living room has a pool table. The fridge is
full of iced coffees. Here are some pictures and you’ll even get to catch a pic
of Mr Laurann playing some pool
Q - What is the best advice you can give an aspiring author?
A - Love to write, write what you love, and don’t give up!
I’m going to be blunt. I’m a high school dropout. We were poor with four kids
so going back to finish my education wasn’t an option. My spelling sucks. My
job history is...if it paid the bills...I’ve done it. In other words...not
impressive. I spent most of my time as a housewife up to my ears in dirty
diapers and trying to get cartoon songs out of my head when they got stuck from
watching so many of them with my kids. I had a dream though. I loved to write.
I wasn’t sure how to get published or even if I had what it took. Some people
laughed at me or dissuaded me from it. I got the whole...well, I told you my
background. They didn’t think I could do it and was wasting my time. It didn’t
matter. I was going to write regardless of if I ever got a book published. It’s
a part of me and who I am. It’s what I love. Bottom line...don’t give up. You
can improve your writing skills. I’m always learning. I’m always pushing myself
to write better. My editor is amazing and has taught me so much. Every book
edit is my classroom and I try really hard to get an A. LOL. Just hang in
there. Don’t give up. Do research online and have people read your books. Stick
to it. Ask for HONEST feedback and be willing to listen to any critique. It’s
how you learn and get better. It’s how I’m always learning and getting better.
Just hang in there and write. If it’s your dream...don’t give up. 1993-2009.
That’s how long it took me as an example of clinging to a dream. It was worth it!
I hope everyone has a fantastic, safe holiday.
Favorite Quotes
It went against everything he believed in to willingly agree
to do anything the humans demanded. He
had no other options though. The threat wasn’t an empty one. He refused to be responsible for the female
being harmed. “Yes.” Polanitis stomped
to the door. “Good.” 710 said nothing.
The door locked and he walked to his mat on the floor. He sat and closed his eyes. Pain hit. Technician Shiver
had found a soft spot in his heart but no longer. He had cared for the female,
yet she didn’t deserve anything but his disgust and contempt.
“Those pills are mine—from a dental appointment. I smuggled
them in. Just take one at a time with
some water, two if you are really sore. They’ll help take away some of the
discomfort.” Her gaze drifted to his swollen jaw again then to his bruised
ribs. Tears surfaced in her eyes but she
blinked them back. “Don’t give up, 710. I promise this won’t last forever. Just keep calm and
don’t cause fights.” Her meaning was
confusing. He always healed. The pain would fade until the guards inflicted more damage. Nothing in his
life changed, especially the suffering the guards routinely inflicted upon him.
He glanced down his body to study his chest,
certain he’d experienced worse bruising than the dark ones now marring
his skin. She shouldn’t be alarmed
enough by their appearance to worry that he’d do something that would provoke a deadly response from the
guards while he was helplessly chained.
“Her life is more important than a test.” “She works for Mercile.” True growled, his temper flaring. “So?” “I won’t lose any sleep over this test. They
didn’t give a shit if they killed New
Species. The least she can do is help us find out if it’s possible to
fully heal on the same dosage of the drug that they used on you guys. It could
be used on mates if they are
injured.” “Take her off the
drug.” “I’ll discuss it with Justice.”
Harris shook his head, turning away. “I’m sure he’ll see it my way. It’s worth
the risks.” 30 True
True lunged, blocking the doctor from exiting the room. “Take her off
the drug.” He growled. “She isn’t a test
subject. Her life isn’t yours to gamble with.”
True led her outside into the bright sunshine and released
her hand. She gasped when he grabbed her
around her waist with one arm, bent, hooked her behind her knees with his hand and lifted her into his
arms. “The ground will be hot and your
feet are too tender not to burn.” She
wrapped her arm around his broad shoulders. “Thanks. I could walk though.” 120 True
“There’s no need.” He turned,
striding to a line of golf carts parked around the corner of the building. Each one had numbers
printed on the side near the front wheel
well. “I won’t risk you getting injured.”
This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
This is just like the other ones in the series a really good
book… Jeanie worked as one of the medical staff that treated the New Species
like they we nothing. But to Jeanie she
would do anything she could to save True. Even if it meant her life, she
believed she was saving True from death but agreeing to take their drug. What she didn’t know was that she was being
used, she was leaking information out to what she thought was the NSO but what
she found out once the NSO captured her was that they were not the ones she was
leaking it too. The question is who was
it? Who had she really been giving
information to. True thought Jeanie was
so kind until she was caught. At first
he thought she was one of the New Species enemies. But part of him believed she
was actually telling the truth and before he would allow them to put her in
prison he was going to find out what side she is on.
This is the latest one in the New Species series. It comes with like the others humor, laughter, sadness, happiness, and most of all mystery. Yes mystery, there is a big surprise that I never expected and it added to the book and the series. The dialogue in this book is great. CAN NOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE!!!!
FIVE MYSTERY ANGELS
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