Shepherd's Watch-- Protected by J Hali Steele

Shepherd's Watch: Protected

by J. Hali Steele

Cover art: Bryan Keller

ISBN: 978-1-60521-141-1
Genre(s): Paranormal

Theme(s): Shapeshifters

Series: Shepherd's Watch

Length: Novella

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1520

Blurb:
Max Alsatian spends most evenings at the Seared Soul watching the only woman alive who makes him pant. His heightened senses and her alluring scent have pushed him to the edge. Now that he knows what she is, Max expects more than a meal -- he intends to take what's rightfully his.

Victoria Germaine buries herself in the kitchen of her restaurant to hide from the world. When the brooding, sexy stranger appeared, she hid what she was under a cloak of deceit. No longer able to fight her natural desires, she aches to give herself to him. She waits patiently for his arrival... he will come.

Excerpt:
Shepherd's Watch: Protected


J. Hali Steele

All rights reserved.

Copyright ©2010 J. Hali Steele

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

Closing and locking the door to one's heart is a cold and lonely business. Max Alsatian had just done that. His hand trembled as he turned the key with a clinking sound. The two shepherds growled and scraped at the chain links of the pen, seeking freedom.

"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" The timbre of his brother's voice made him look up. Ren's head leaned to the side, his eyes squinted with concern. "She won't like it."

His brother had a right to be concerned. Capturing the two dogs, cowing them, had not been an easy task. Victoria Germaine would be pissed as hell. Good. That's exactly what Max wanted -- her, so fucking mad, she'd come running. Vic was a bitch. Literally. For months she'd used that syrupy, mesmerizing voice on him and his brothers, and hid her true self under the cloaking scent of cinnamon. What made him even angrier was he had come to love the smell.

He'd spent the month since he'd discovered what she was vacillating between anger and seeking revenge. Having decided on revenge didn't make him feel any better. Max felt worse. Victoria was what they were -- genetically fucked up animals. She was a shepherd with the ability to change at a moment's notice into a beautiful woman.

The Austrian monk who had experimented with recessive traits in peas, moved on to something much more sinister -- screwing with DNA. He'd used his, mixed with that of a shepherd, and, well, here Max and his kind were. Monsters. Part man, part dog. He hoped God punished the fool when he reached the pearly gates. Better yet, maybe the Devil was roasting his balls in hell!

His shepherd pranced back and forth inside him, seeking freedom. It clawed at his insides, wanting to get out for the second time tonight. Unlike Ren and Wade, Max always had total control of himself and his animal. Until tonight. Right now the only thing he controlled was the two dogs he'd locked in the training kennel. And that was tenuous, at best.

His cock flared to life as he thought about Vic's smooth, chocolate colored skin and her curvaceous body. She wore her light brown hair short, keeping it neatly trimmed. The style fit the woman he'd come to know perfectly. Not a flamboyant or vain bone in her ample, athletic body. Often, when following her, he'd envisioned mounting her wide, firm ass. Taking her like the animal he was. Had he only known...

The day she stood in the meadow, her brothers at her side, was the first time he got a whiff of what she really was. Something in him had snapped. Her friend, Jetta had since mated with his brother Wade. In fact, had Victoria not shown up, Wade might very well have killed the man who'd stalked and hurt his mate. Things certainly would have been different.

A snide laugh slipped through his lips, causing the largest dog to snap and growl even louder as he lunged at the kennel's locked door. "You'll learn manners, and you will bow to me, you bastard."

The dog sat back on his haunches and lifted his head high in the air. The howl reverberated around the small room, causing the smaller dog to crisscross the cage frantically. The bigger animal lowered his head, shook his jowls from side to side and bared his canines at Max, growling deeply.

Ren chuckled. "Shit, he thinks he's alpha."

"Fuck him, fuck you, and fuck her." Max, fists clenched so tight the nails drew blood from his palms, shook with anger.

"Yeah, well, if you do that you'll probably be all better, bro." Ren wiped his hands down the front of his jeans. "Look, I love you, man, you know that, but this last month has been crazy. You haven't been out with me and Wade in weeks. Every waking minute you've pursued these two. Now that you have them, what's your plan?"

Max sucked in a stream of air, then expelled it heavily. "I don't understand why she hid what she was from us. From me." Gaining some control, Max breathed deeply, settling the dog inside him. What angered him the most was he'd known something was different, but he had become so enamored of the woman he'd lost sight of his responsibility. Now he understood her silky voice, the effect it had on him. A female shepherd right under his nose the whole time.

He was the alpha of his tiny band of dogs. It was his job to keep them safe and out of harm's way. With more packs slipping into the country, Max needed to be alert and on guard. Protecting his small pack was paramount.

How in hell could he do that with his dick leading him around like a puppy?

The tip of his semi hard cock dripped with desire. He sniffed loudly at the air, catching her scent. Coming from her brothers, the smell was just strong enough to make him want to seek her out, finally taking what he'd wanted all along. But no, not Max. Not the perfect, always in control alpha dog.

Ren peered into the cage. "You've become so much like a man, you've forgotten what you really are. Maybe you should loosen that noose you call a tie. You'd have been better off if you had taken her. This wouldn't be happening."

His brother was right. Acting like a man, trying to wait for her to give him a sign she felt something for him, hadn't worked.

"Go talk to her, Max."

"I'll be damned to hell before that happens," he growled. Ren shuffled from foot to foot on the bare cement floor. The gritty sound scraped across his nerves, setting him more on edge. He glared at his brother, and practically growled, "Don't you have somewhere to go?"

"Look, I know you're pissed and you think the world is a crappy, fucked up place right now." His brother gripped Max's shoulder. "Vic is the only thing that will make you feel better."

"Go to hell."

"Have you considered the pain she must be in if I'm right?" Ren stepped in front of him, his brown eyes piercing Max like arrows. "She's had to smell you for months."

"Right about what?" Max gave Ren his full attention.

"Man, you haven't been with a female, human or bitch, since the day she slunk to our table at the Seared Soul. Why do you think that is?"

Christ. Please, let Ren be wrong. The last thing he needed was a snarling bitch, or a clinging woman for that matter, underfoot while he tried to carry out his duties at Shepherd's Watch. Especially one who didn't trust him enough to be honest about what she was.

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1520

Congratulations to Changeling CAPA Nominees!

 

Congratulations to the following authors on their CAPA nominations. I think I have everyone, but if I missed anyone I apologize!

Favorite erotic author category:

Leila Brown
Violet Summers
Melinda Barron
Angela Knight
K.Z. Snow
B.J. McCall
Moira Rogers

Paranormal erotic romance category:

Dark Kisses
by Anne Kane

The Dhampir
by Angela Knight

How Not to Date an Alien
by Stephanie Burke

Again, congratulations!!
Kate

http://www.kate-hill.com

__,_._,___

Children of the Dust Collection by Eve Vaughn

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Children of the Dust (Collection) by Eve VaughnCover art: Karen Fox ISBN: 978-1-60521-440-5 Genre(s): Futuristic, Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, Collections Theme(s): Interracial, BBW Length: Collection

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1493

Blurb:

The Cyrellians appear friendly, offering hope to a battered and devastated Earth. But four women soon make startling discoveries that could very well change the fate of their home world yet again.
As the resistance gains strength to overthrow the Cyrellians, Earth's future hangs in the balance.
This collection contains the previously released novellas The Zoo, The Factory, Rebellion, and Resurrection.
Excerpt:
Children of The Dust
Excerpt from The Zoo
Eve Vaughn
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2010 Eve Vaughn

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.
2107
The thick steel door leading to the infirmary muffled the piercing shrill of the behavior neutralizer, a device used to control the animals with sound. Quickly Dar popped in his earplugs and raced toward the commotion.

He wasn't sure what he'd find, but it certainly wasn't the chaos unfolding before him. Standing on the examination table surrounded by the three other zookeepers, all holding neutralizers, was the female Human. She held what looked like a makeshift blade made out of a broken bottle.

Her screams were being drowned out by the noise makers, but she wasn't covering her ears in pain, nor was she backing down. Why weren't the devices working on her? Even though the plugs he'd inserted were designed to drown out even the highest decibels of sound, he could still hear the faint buzzes. What in the name of Glarm was going on?

Normally Dar was fast on his feet, but this time they wouldn't move even if he wanted them to.

The female was magnificent.

Dark brown hair framed a delicately shaped face that fell like a silken cape around her shoulders. Were it not for her coloring and the markings Flamrylian woman possessed, she could easily pass for one. As it stood, her body was absolute perfection from the high pert breasts capped with deep red nipples to the tiny waist that flared out to womanly hips. A triangular patch of hair rested between her thighs that he'd never seen on any Flamrylian female, but it wasn't unappealing. It actually made him want to find out the secrets it hid beneath.

Dar's cocks stirred uncomfortably inside his pants. Thoughts he knew he shouldn't be entertaining ran through his mind. Only when he looked into her blazing green eyes did he come to his senses.

They were filled with fear.

She wasn't acting out, but frightened. "Turn off the neutralizers," he yelled as loud as he could, and when they didn't, he realized his error. They were all obviously wearing earplugs as well.

He strode over to the closest one and snatched the device out of nerveless fingers and switched it to off. Dar repeated the motion with the other two and then gestured for them to remove the sound mufflers from their ears.

"Why did you do that? We need to get her to desist this unacceptable behavior. She wouldn't cooperate with the examination," Yeahen explained.

"Obviously these things aren't working," Dar drawled.

The other two looked hesitant.

The female, however, went on the attack. She sprang at him with the jagged glass. Dar moved out of her way, barely missing the slicing arc she made with her weapon. That would have produced a nasty cut. When she tried it again, he was ready for her. He caught her wrist in one hand and removed the glass from her and then tossed it out of her reach.

Dar was much taller and outweighed her significantly, but she put up a fight that made it nearly impossible for him to hold on to her.

Shara attempted to scratch his face, but when that didn't work, she pounded on his chest. He caught her flailing arm and gave her a strong shake. This didn't stop her. It seemed nothing would.

Leaning forward, she bit him.

Hard.

"Argh," he yelled his pain. The little she-beast's teeth had sunk through the cloth of his shirt and into his skin.

Yanking a clump of her hair, he was able to rip her head away from him, but not without causing injury to himself. Dar then grabbed Shara by the armpits and tossed her over his shoulder.

She cried out and pummeled tiny fists into his back.

His fellow zookeepers watched in fascination, not moving a finger to assist him, probably because they didn't know what to do. Dar couldn't blame them with the way this one carried on. Dar brought the flat of his palm onto her upturned bottom, not meaning to cause Shara pain, but to send a warning that he'd not put up with much more of her rebellion.

Though her struggles lessened, she still put up a fight, trying to wiggle from his hold. This time when he slapped her ass, Dar put more force behind it. He was in control and he wanted her to know it. Maybe what he was really trying to do was to control the racing hormones within him. The heat of her body so close to his was doing things to his body he hadn't experienced in a long time. He had to exorcise these inappropriate thoughts from his mind.
http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1493

Crimson Dichotomy Collection by Aubrey Ross

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Crimson Dichotomy (Collection)

by Aubrey RossCover art: Bryan Keller

ISBN: 978-1-60521-494-8

Genre(s): Paranormal, Action/Adventure, BDSM

Theme(s): Ménage, Bisexual and More, Vampires, Shapeshifters

Length: Collection

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1518

Blurb:

When a desperate Dichotomy seeks the help of a ruthless vampire in her quest for vengeance against the elder council, a team of hybrid "Sentinels" is dispatched to ensure their safety. Much to his chagrin, Steffen Ziegler is assigned to the pampered only daughter of Councilman Ruiz. Bella is determined to dissuade the enigmatic Sentinel from shadowing her every move, so she provokes and seduces him. She doesn't expect to enjoy the game or to crave the pleasure she has only known in his embrace.

Sentinel Lukas Mandalay has never encountered anyone as utterly tempting as Rebecca McNeil. Despite being half-human, Rebecca is the youngest member of the Dichotomy elder council. She's independent, self-sufficient — and shaped like a centerfold! Sensing the passion smoldering beneath her professional façade, Lukas guides her through a journey of sexual discovery.

Ruggedly handsome and intensely confident, Max takes it upon himself to protect Colette from a rogue vampire. Colette can shapeshift effortlessly and still others feel the need to shelter her. Max might be her temporary guardian, but he is more attractive than any man she's ever known. Refusing to be ignored, and hoping to prolong their time together, Colette insinuates herself into Max's next mission.

This collection contains the previously released Crimson Dichotomy novellas Seduction, Passion, and Temptation.
Excerpt:
Crimson Dichotomy
Aubrey Ross
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2010 Aubrey Ross
Excerpt from Seduction

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.
Feeling more like an errant schoolgirl than the lady of the house, Isabella Ruiz paused outside her father's office. It didn't matter that she was twenty-seven years old and director of a multi-million dollar foundation. Her father continually thought of, and treated her like, a child.

She smoothed down her narrow skirt and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear before announcing her presence with a firm knock.

"It's open." Though muffled, her father's voice was easily recognizable.

She pushed the door open and stepped into the book-lined room. "You sent for me?" A touch of annoyance revealed her impatience. She had too much to do to indulge her father's need to run her life.

"Actually, I requested your presence." Like the welcome caress of a steamy shower, an unfamiliar voice flowed across her senses.

She turned and looked at the speaker, expecting someone as dark and sensual as his voice. Nearly black and filled with secrets, his thick-lashed eyes were the only feature that fulfilled her expectations. His hair was blond, short on the sides, yet longer on top, with a tendency to spill across his forehead. She wanted to push her fingers through those wayward strands, removing the distraction from his sculpted features. With his muscular build and light complexion, the stranger looked more Viking than Valentino.

He pushed to his feet and held out his hand. "Steffen Ziegler." Dressed in jeans and a pullover shirt, he was worlds apart from the staid executives who usually visited her father.

"If you asked to see me, I presume you know my name." His long, cool fingers enfolded her hand and awareness rushed across her nerve endings. Her heartbeat staggered then raced, unable to find a steady rhythm. She inhaled slowly and licked her lips.

His gaze focused on her mouth and those night black eyes began to smolder. "I know many things, Ms. Ruiz. I just hope you're willing to benefit from my experience."

Her brow arched at his arrogance. "Is there a particular subject in which you wish to enlighten me, or shall I just bask in your august presence?"

"Bella." Her father's tone snapped with warning, but Steffen smiled.

"Your father told me you can be... challenging. Why don't you have a seat and I'll explain why I'm here?"

Unusually aware of her every movement, she slipped into one of the two chairs situated in front of the mahogany desk. She crossed her legs and took a deep breath, amazed that her father would allow anyone else to dominate a conversation. It wasn't like Hector Ruiz to accept a passive role in any situation.

Steffen moved to one side of the desk and crossed his arms over his chest. She could see both men without turning her head, which was likely the reason he'd chosen the position. The odd awareness lingered, subdued by the lack of physical contact, but undeniably there.

"Do you know the Burton family?" Steffen began.

"I know of them." She shot her father a confounded glance, wishing she could send her thoughts as pureblood Dichotomy could. Who was this guy? How much did he know about their people?

Easily interpreting her expression, her father said, "Steffen knows about the Dichotomy. You may speak freely."

She turned back to the handsome inquisitor. "Have the Burtons acted inappropriately? What do they have to do with me?"

"The Burtons are in the middle of a blood feud with the Nicholsons."

"The Burtons would object to that characterization," her father said. "The Nicholsons have been fugitives for years. The Burtons have simply been the focus of their hostilities."

"We have reason to believe their focus has expanded to include the entire council."

Bella tried not to reveal her impatience. "Father employs a fulltime security staff. Threats against the council are nothing new."

"And will this fulltime security staff be able to protect you from beings who can instantaneously appear and also penetrate your mental shielding?"

"The Nicholsons have no such abilities."

Steffen unfolded his arms and took a step toward her. "The Nicholsons are no longer your primary concern. If I'm not mistaken, Valerie is the only one still on the loose."

"She is," Hector confirmed. "Now stop sparring with Bella and get to the point."

"Valerie has formed an alliance with a vampire named Taerok."

"A vampire?" She looked back at her father, but his features remained expressionless. "Vampires are even more xenophobic than we are. Why would a vampire align himself with an obscure Dichotomy?"

"A very good question." Hector rested his hands on the desktop and gazed at Steffen expectantly.

"We're not sure about Taerok's motivation, but they're definitely working together."

"Or at least they were three weeks ago," Hector said. "There have been no new attacks in all that time. Isn't it possible the vampire was hired for that one occasion?"

"Possible, but not likely."

The Dichotomy could sense each other. Even a halfling like Bella recognized the unique energy pattern of her father's people. Steffen wasn't a Dichotomy. In fact, she'd never sensed anyone quite like him. Sunlight spilled into the office through the open blinds, so he couldn't be a vampire. Could he?

"How did you become involved in this?" she asked their enigmatic visitor.

"Leos Burton asked for our help identifying the vampire he'd encountered during his latest confrontation with the Nicholsons. It wasn't hard for us to determine who we were dealing with."

"You keep saying 'us' and 'we.' Do you belong to some sort of organization?"

"We're rather like human special forces, discreet, yet merciless. We're not the sort of team you contact if you're looking for diplomacy."

The answer was vague at best, so she made her question more specific. "Are you a vampire or a vampire hunter?"

"My species is irrelevant to this conversation. Taerok has developed an interest in the Dichotomy, and Valerie Nicholson is making sure he focuses that interest on people with a connection to the council. Are you such a person?"

"You know I am."

"I've left detailed instructions with your father. I recommend you follow them to the letter."

"What sort of instructions?"

"The sort that will keep you alive. As of right now, there has been no collateral damage. I'd like to keep it that way."
http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1518

Submissive Games Collection by Madeline Oh

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Submissive Games (Collection) by Madeleine OhCover art: Sahara Kelly ISBN: 978-1-60521-507-5 Genre(s): Guilty Pleasures (Contemporary), BDSM Length: Collection

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1519

Blurb:

Four sexy stories set in Madeleine Oh's BDSM universe. Dominants, submissives and newcomers to the scene all find love and passion in this not to be missed collection.
Power Games: John Kent only agrees to make up a foursome to oblige his old friend Mark. But when Aunt Ellen turns out to be an enticing young widow, and a submissive, John's Dom instincts take over...
Submissive Games: Tom Baldwin is a national heartthrob -- and a sexual submissive. Claudine Wallace is a professional Dominatrix with an exclusive clientele. A purely professional relationship. And Tom's about to break all the rules... no matter what the cost.
Sexy Games: When a tall, dark-haired, sexy man suggests they skip out on the assembled partygoers, Jenny agrees, for an evening of spectacular sex. But Basil Wallace plans on tying Jenny down -- in more ways than one.
Dominant Games: Ian Bennett is intriguing, but Julie knows from past experience how badly things can go when you fall for the wrong man. It's up to Ian to convince her he's the perfect Dominant to meet her submissive needs, not just for one night, but for a lifetime.
Excerpt:
Submissive Games (Collection)
Excerpt from Power Games
Madeleine Oh
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2010 Madeleine Oh
This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.
"Train's late," Mark muttered, looking at his watch. "It should have been here at seventeen past."
It was seven twenty. "Cheer up. It'll get here. And with a bit of luck, she'll have missed it and you'll have a perfect opportunity for discipline."
Mark snorted. "Chance will be a fine thing. Doubt I'll even get to go home with her. I can hardly, in all decency, ask her to stay in town with me and leave the poor old lady to hoof it down to Guildford on her own."
"Mark!"
They both turned. And stared. Annie and a woman in a red dress ran towards them.
"The train came in early, at platform seven instead of nineteen. We were waiting for you there, then Aunt Ellie suggested you might be waiting where you expected us to arrive, so we came over here." She kissed Mark and gave John a smile and a hello. "Let me introduce my aunt, Ellen Forsythe. Aunt Ellie, this is Mark Hanson and John Kent."
Old aunt indeed! Had Mark been having him on? No, he was stunned, too. "How do you do?" John offered his hand for a decidedly confident handshake.
Her bright green eyes crinkled at the corners. "How do you do?"
She turned to Mark and shook his hand. The man remembered, just in time, to shut his mouth, sparing them a view of his tonsils.
"Thank you for letting me elbow into your evening. I tried to convince Annie to let me stay home, but she insisted and when I heard we were going to Chez Robert, I capitulated."
"I'm glad you did," Mark replied. The lad was getting his composure back. "It's a pleasure to meet anyone in Annie's family."
She chuckled. It was deep, throaty and sensual. "Ah ha! Now I understand, you want me to tell you all about her murky past. Like the time she streaked in front of the bishop."
"Oh, please!" Annie still blushed. It was rather sweet, John supposed. "Don't forget to mention I was fifteen months old at the time."
"I could always counter," John said, "with how Mark was a page at my aunt's wedding and peed on one of the gravestones in the churchyard."
"Thank you, John, so very much, for sharing that little edifying tidbit," Mark almost snarled.
A stifled snort came from Ellen's direction.
"If you two have quite finished with your 'embarrassing things we did before we could speak' stories. Mind if we get a taxi?" Annie wasn't enjoying this any more than Mark.
"Brilliant idea," John said. "Lead on, Mark."
Mark and Annie went ahead. John fell in step beside the aunt. The stunning aunt to be exact. What else do you call a tall woman in a vivid red dress, eyes that crinkled at the corners, a sexy smile and dark hair curling around her face? She had a few gray hairs in among the dark, but, to be honest, he'd pulled several out that very morning.
"You've known Mark all your life?" Ellen asked.
"You could say so. Our mothers were distant cousins and our fathers were half brothers. We were always at the same endless family functions. Have to be honest, at the same memorable wedding, my brother and I got walloped for climbing on a great stone sarcophagus. We were old enough to know better."
"Being old enough to know better seldom makes any difference." His laugh had Mark looking back at them. Let him look. "I doubt you're impartial," she went on, "but he's a good man, is he?"
"Are you doing a worthiness assessment?" He should have guessed.
"Good God, no! Wouldn't presume. Annie has her head screwed on right. But I have a bossy older sister who needs a report on the honorableness or otherwise of his intentions, if he's gainfully employed and if he's a potential wife beater."
Was she psychic or just flippant? "As you said, I'm scarcely a disinterested party, but he's held the same job since he came down from Oxford and he's obviously nuts about Annie." Question number three was none of her business.
"Not sure about the wife beating, eh?" She paused. "Do you think it's consensual?"
Heaven give him strength. "Oh! Mark's got a taxi. Come on."
Mark and Annie climbed in first and sat together. Ellen flipped down one of the back facing seats, smoothed her swingy skirt and gave John a long, assessing look sideways. Did he want to ask her what the hell she meant, or pretend he hadn't heard? Neither seemed quite right. Hell, he was a Dominant. He was in control. He led. Had Annie confided in her aunt? What was the woman after? Whatever it was, she was getting under his skin, and that darn perfume of hers was distracting to the nth degree.
But he wasn't going to let things get out of hand. He'd agreed on this as a favor to Mark, and darn it, he was not going to let a stray comment -- a very on target and pointed stray comment -- rattle him.
http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1519

Gatos (Cat o' Nines Collection ) by Lia Connor

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Gatos (Cat O'Nines Collection) by Lia ConnorCover art: Reneé George ISBN: 978-1-60521-461-0 Genre(s): Paranormal Theme(s): Shapeshifters Length: Collection

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1517

Blurb:

Catkind -- they're rough, they're tough and they don't take no for an answer. But who'd want to say no? Not Gabriella, a barmaid in a tiny roadhouse named Gatos near the Mexican border. Nor her sister Marnie. With his sisters carried off by the Catkind, Tony's left to run Gatos, but he won't be alone -- a couple of misfit "alley cats" have joined forces with Tony.
Lucia's a party girl with two hot, hunky Catkind on her trail. Orion, a white Tiger, and Jomei, a Bengal, are royalty among the Catkind. They're about to learn Lucia's much more than a pretty face. When the four Gatos siblings return with their Catkind mates for a final showdown against their nemesis, Anuetta thinks she's got these tigers by their tails, but she doesn't count on the mighty strength of the Gatos family. The line's been drawn in the ashes, and the claws are out!
This collection contains the previously release novellas in the Cat O'Nines collection: Cat's Claws, Cat's Eye, Cat's Cradle, Cat's Meow, and Cat's Paw.
Excerpt:
Cat O' Nines: Cat's Claws


Lia Connor

All rights reserved.

Copyright ©2010 Lia Connor

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.



"So there I am, standing in the middle of the street, screaming at him en Espanol. I'm calling him things our abuela would turn over in her grave to hear me say. And then she'd wash my mouth out with soap."



"Lucia, when are you going to learn?" Gabriella unlocked the door to Gatos' cold storage unit. "You stay away from men like him. They're trouble."



Lucia, her sister, had the fire of a Roman candle and a temper to match. She jammed her hands on her hips in indignation. "Like you have room to talk," she shot back.



"I do. Do you see me getting tangled up with any troublemakers like him?" She yanked open the door, and cold air escaped with a whoosh. "Uh-uh. Oh, that's good." Gabriella closed her eyes and swayed in bliss. It was a gorgeous day outside in the shabby outskirts of San Miguel, the sky pure blue and the horizon clear for miles. Which meant it was hot enough to suit the devil himself, especially back in the warehouse. She let herself enjoy the cool air coming from the cold storage unit for a moment, then got back to business. She nudged the handcart. "Come on, you take one crate and I'll take the other."



"We shouldn't roll out a keg?"



"If you think you can manhandle a keg in heat like this, dolly or no dolly, you're welcome to try. Grab a case for now. Tony can get the rest later." Gabriella sized up the hefty crate stamped with the Moctezuma Brewery logo. Nothing tasted as good or as rich as their cervesa. Moctezuma was why locals bothered traveling to her tiny, out-of-the-way bar. If the brew master hadn't been a friend of her brother Tony, no way she'd have gotten her mitts on any of their goods. "Come on, Lucia, put your back into it."



Lucia pouted briefly before bending and lifting the crate. Tendons stood out in her neck from the effort as she wrestled a heavy crate onto the dolly. "We need some strong young stud for this."



"And there you go again, thinking about men," Gabriella chided. "I'm not saying I wouldn't like to have a strong young thing around, especially if he's hot, eh? I'm saying we can get by fine without one. You seem to think that's a mortal sin, which is why I'm listening to you pitch a fit in the street." She tempered the sting of her words with the fondness of her tone.



Gabriella shut the door to the cold storage unit and clicked the padlock back in place before taking the handle of the dolly. Oof. She had to admit, the crates were terribly heavy. Together they headed back to the main room of Gatos, the tiny tumbledown bar that had been their sole legacy from their mother.



Not exactly a rich and abundant inheritance. Ah, well, Mama had tried.



Lucia was still stuck back on Gabriella's opinions. "You're telling me if a man like Roger came on to you, you'd say no? He looked so pretty." She swung around to walk backwards. "Those cornflower blue eyes and his soft golden hair. Like a prince out of a fairytale." Her pleading turned wicked. "And good in bed? He was a devil when it came to loving me."



"And how many other women at the same time?" Gabriella bumped open the swinging kitchen door. "Would I say no to a man like Roger? Hell, no, I wouldn't. But..."



Lucia rolled her eyes.



"But," Gabriella went on, not letting Lucia's scorn stop her, "I'd say yes long enough to enjoy his body. If he's as good as you say, I'd have fun with him for a few days then send him packing. No harm, no foul, and no broken heart that needs someone to sweep up the pieces."



Lucia scoffed. "You wouldn't know how to let your hair down if someone gave you a hands-on demonstration."



Gabriella's pride was stung. "Says you!"



"You're right, says I. You want to make a bet on this? Friday night's tip jar says you don't have the guts to take the next handsome guy who walks into Gatos for a test run."



Ay, Lucia had her there. Gabriella could never back down from a challenge. "I'm listening. What are the terms?"



Lucia stretched her muscles out before unlocking the cooler. "So we have a deal?"



"Not yet." Gabriella pulled the dolly close enough to the cooler to unload it. "Let me hear the details before I say yes or no."



"Like you would," Lucia smirked. "All right, here's the deal. When we open tonight, you and I man the bar. When the first hot guy walks in, one I decide is enough of a handful for even you, I point him out and that's when the game begins. You come on to him, you do whatever you have to do, and if he's safe you get him into bed."



"I'm not a slut," Gabriella objected, all the while hoisting crates and holding them for Lucia to unpack and stow in the cooler. "And how am I supposed to know if he's 'safe'?" She dusted off her hands after the last bottle was stashed away. "You have to give me more than that to go on. I'm supposed to proposition a customer? That'll give me a great reputation."



Lucia shrugged smugly. "So you're saying no? You're backing down already?"


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Interview with Detective O'Grady, homicide detective and star of Blood Hunter

I'd like you all to help me welcome Detective O'Grady to TRS.

Me: Thank you for joining us today, Detective O'Grady. Some background, you've been in homicide for almost ten years?
Grady: That's right and before that major crimes. I joined the force right out of school. Been a cop for nearly thirty years.
Me: Wow, that's a long time. Is it all right if I ask a few personal questions?
Grady: Depends on how personal, but go ahead. Ask.

Me: Your name is Pasquale O'Grady? That's a rather unusual name.
(chuckling)
Grady: My mother's Italian. She named me for her grandfather. On my dad's side, I'm third generation Irish American cop.

Me: So can I call you Patsy or Patty?
Grady: Not if you want to keep all your teeth.

Me: Oh, is that why you go by Grady?
Grady: Yeah, I'm nobodies patsy and too many Pats in the family already, both men and women. My mother calls me Patsy, that's the Italian nick name but no one else.

Me: Says here you have three kids, two daughters and a son. Divorced for ten years.
Grady: Yup, I warned her before we married I'd never wanted to be anything but a cop. She decided she wanted a husband with a bigger bank account and Sundays off. (he shrugs)

Me: So any girlfriends?
Grady: Depends on your definition of girlfriend. ( snickering) I have a feeling she would smack me for calling her that.

Me: Ah, the vampire, right?
Grady: (snorts) No such thing as vampires. But her brother writes that kind of romance so she helps promote his work by playing the part of badass in black.

Me: So let's pretend for a moment, they really are vampires. Do you consider yourselves a couple?
Grady: It's not like we're dating or anything. We just, ah, spend a lot of quality time together. According to the vampire code, they don't date mortals. We're toys or pets at best.

Me: That sucks, pun intended.
Grady: I couldn't agree more. They call us blood slaves, but frankly, that's kind like calling me Pasty.

Me: Any wanna be vampires missing their fangs?
Grady: (laughing) Not yet. But I did shoot my partner over it. Just scratched her really.

Me: Wow, that must have made her angry. Isn't it dangerous to anger someone so powerful?
Grady: (with a wicked grin) Dangerously sexy.

Me: Care to explain?
Grady: Not really. A gentleman never kisses and tells. (winks suggestively)

Me: Well. OK then. So tell me more about these Blood Hunters.
Grady: Who?

Me: That group your Captain belongs to, the vampire hunters?
Grady: I have no idea what you are talking about. (looks at watch) It's been nice but I need to get going. Bad guys to catch, asses to kick, you know.

Me: (smiling) In a hurry to get back to your master?
Grady: (scowling) I don't have a master. But I do have a partner expecting me. We've got work to do.

Me: Ah, so you're rushing off to meet Detective Jane Smith?
Grady: (gives me the cop stare) Smitty is still my partner.

Me: But that's not who your anxious to see is it, Detective?
Grady: (Stands and gives me a smug smile) I'm not at liberty to discuss that.

Me: Any chance I can get an interview with your other partner, Segrun?
Grady: Not if you want to publish what you write. (laughs)
(Door opens and a tall, leggy blond woman, shorter pale blond woman and the sexiest, bald headed black man ever, enter.)
Grady: Well, maybe you'll get that interview after all. The tall blond is Segrun, the pale one is Eira and the bald guy is Nate.

Me: Oh my. Is he a cover model?
Segrun: (snort) Don't feed his already oversize ego. The man thinks he's God's gift to the universe as it is.

Me: (snicker) Don't you mean God's gift to women?
Eira: (laughs) He's not that picky. If it has a pulse he's interested.
Nate: (in nice southern drawl) Now that's just mean, Eira. I prefer to think of it as not bein' prejudiced. (Takes my hand and kisses the back) And you, darlin' are simply to luscious to ignore.

Me: (I stare into light green eyes surrounded by cafe-au-lait skin) Oh, ah, thank you.
Nate: Now you know this is all just a publicity stunt. No such thing as vampires, darlin'.

Me: (vacantly) No such thing as vampires, no such thing as vampires...
Viking Seduction 2: Blood Hunter coming soon to Changeling press
Brannan Black
Epic Romances, Fantastic Fantasies of the Paranormal kind
Viking Seduction 2: Blood Hunter Boytoy for a sexy blond vampire? No way. This cop has a job: find his daughter, hunt vamps...
Viking Seduction 1: Blood Slave It's the twenty-first century. Who keeps slaves anymore? Other than really, really old vampires...
The Wild One, Eireann's Tale Enslaved but not cowed, Eireann would rather die than submit to the Northman determined to tame her.
Wolfman Apocalypse "Captured by vicious wolfmen, I expected a quick death. Or a slow painful one. They had other ideas."
Soul Bound "I sought only a warm meal. I found predators on the hunt, and I their chosen prey."
Soul Seer: Aftermath, a free read
EpicRomances.com
Brannan's Fantasies, blog
Friend me on face book, Brannan Black

__._,_.___

Spotlight: Christmas Cookies: Rowan's Men by Jade Buchanan

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SPOTLIGHT: Christmas Cookies: Rowan's Men by Jade BuchananCover art: Reneé George ISBN: 978-1-59596-768-8 Genre(s): Paranormal, Sci-Fi Theme(s): Ménage, Bisexual and More, Christmas, Seasonal Themes Series: Christmas Cookies Multi-Author Length: Hot Flash

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=759

Blurb:
The holidays are approaching and Rowan's feeling a little homesick. The Felidae don't have anything remotely similar to Christmas, so she's decided to go all out for Laithe and Fahd. Homemade presents, Christmas baking and a heck of a surprise are going to keep her men on their toes this year.
Excerpt:
Christmas Cookies: Rowan's Men
Jade Buchanan
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2010 Jade Buchanan
This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.
The smell of cinnamon and gingerbread filled the room. Okay, fine, it wasn't cinnamon or gingerbread, but it was close enough. Heck, it wasn't as if the men knew what it was supposed to smell like anyway. She'd slaved all day making bread, and she just hoped it was edible. Rowan was desperate to make gingerbread houses, and she'd had to beg Ariel for help in creating the right consistency for the dough. Ariel had given her the strangest look, and Rowan just knew she was thinking the little human was insane, but she hadn't said anything. Ariel was probably humoring her, but it really didn't matter. The gingerbread houses had been made, and were now gracing the small table where they normally ate. Lopsided and green -- and not exactly the right shape either -- the houses were just perfect.
Snorting softly, Rowan rocked back and forth in front of the small tree. It wasn't exactly the evergreen tree she was used to, but she'd had fun guiding her men into picking just the right one. They'd spent almost two hours outside among the vegetation surrounding their home, with her first discarding one tree and then another before she was content. It listed to one side, haphazardly pulled up by the string connecting it to the wall. Hell, at least it was green.
"Definitely looks like a Charlie Brown tree, but I like it."
"I'm glad to hear that, Nawra. It took us forever to pick it out."
Strong arms enfolded her from behind, tawny fur brushed against her stomach. Rowan leaned back gratefully, lifting one hand to pet along the muscular forearm.
Giggling, she tilted her head to look up at his beloved features. "It wasn't that bad, Laithe. You know you liked it."
He nuzzled her neck, tickling her with the chocolate brown mane that caressed the tops of her shoulders. "Mmmm, I liked the payment after much better."
"I bet you did, perv boy."
Thrusting his hips against her backside, Laithe let her know exactly how much he'd like a repeat performance. Geez, her men were insatiable sometimes.
"Where's Fahd?" she asked, settling more of her weight against Laithe, letting him support her body from behind. It was one thing she loved about them, they were both so damn strong she never had to worry about her weight around them. She wasn't exactly a delicate flower, no matter what Laithe nicknamed her. Heck, she could probably gain fifty more pounds and they wouldn't complain about it. A mental image of herself waddling around the abode, like a pudgy dough boy, caused her to giggle again.
"I'm glad you are so happy, Nawra. Fahd and I were worried about you."
Rowan turned in Laithe's arms, frowning up at him. "What're you talking about?"
His face was troubled, his brow furrowed as he studied her just as intently as she was studying him.
"We were worried you didn't want to go to Earth. When Aaron said he was going back, you didn't say anything. When we asked you if you wanted to accompany him, you refused to leave. We were worried. I wasn't sure why you refused to go back."
Smiling up at her fierce warrior -- looking so worried -- Rowan smoothed her palm along his furred cheek. "Laithe, I didn't want to go back because there's no reason for me to go. My life isn't there anymore. It's here with the two of you."
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Spotlight: Merry's Christmas Menage by Eve Vaughn

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SPOTLIGHT: Merry's Christmas Ménage by Eve VaughnCover art: Bryan Keller ISBN: 978-1-59596-270-6 Genre(s): Paranormal, Urban Fantasy Theme(s): Interracial, Ménage, Shapeshifters, BBW, Christmas, Seasonal Themes Length: Novella

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=245

Blurb:

Merry Holiday has fallen on hard times. After the death of her mother, Merry learns that everything has been left to a sister she doesn't get along with, including the house she has lived in most of her life. With her confidence shattered and her heart in tatters, Merry finds herself looking for a job and a place to live. When she interviews for a position as a live in housekeeper, she finds the reclusive Thorne Mordeaux, one of the hunkiest men she's ever laid eyes on.
Thorne Mordeaux has a secret. He's Darwaedd royalty from the mythical island Sayrea. He's left his island to escape the shadow of his overpowering brother Dax and the heartbreak of a lost love. Thorne falls for his sweet new housekeeper and as the winter grows colder, his feelings for her heat up, but he's doesn't want to scare her off with his advances.
A week before Christmas, King Dax makes an unexpected appearance to convince Thorne to come back to their island. It's obvious to Dax that his brother and Merry are in love, and just as obvious -- neither of them has the faith to act on that love. With the help of some Christmas Magic, Dax makes it his mission to give fate a hand and bring them together.
Excerpt:
Merry's Christmas Ménage
Eve Vaughn
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2010 Eve Vaughn

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

"Merry." She heard the soft whisper of her name before trying to turn around. "No. Stay where you are. I want you just like this."

She turned her head to see Thorne walking toward her with the stealth of a jungle cat. For someone so large, he moved with a grace that made it seem as though he were gliding across the room.

Merry's breath caught in her throat when he stopped mere inches behind her. She could smell a hint of his tangy cologne, Cool Water, and liked it. She loved everything about this man. His proximity wreaked havoc with her equilibrium.

Thorne's hands gripped her shoulders, pulling her against his taut body. She stiffened. What was the meaning of this? He'd never so much as looked at her when he was engrossed in his work. That he was holding her now was a bit of a shock, though not unwelcome.

"Relax, Merry. I won't bite... unless you want me to."

"Mr. Mordeaux --"

"Thorne. I've already told you to call me by my first name."

"But --"

"No buts, Merry. Say my name."

She already thought of him as Thorne in her mind, so why not say it?

Because it was a line she was afraid to cross.

His grip tightened on her shoulders as he lowered his head. His warm breath tickled her skin, sending sparks of pleasure through the core of her being. Merry had wanted this gorgeous man from the moment she'd laid eyes on him. Thorne Mordeaux oozed sexuality, with a tall, powerfully built frame and a set of shoulders so broad she dreamed of resting her head on them.

He had a nice tight ass, which she'd often watch when he walked past her. Thorne could wear the hell out of some Levi's. His face was just as arresting, with a long straight nose and midnight brows slashed over eyes so pale a blue at times they almost appeared platinum. The dark and the light were such a startling contrast that his gaze had a hypnotic effect.

His lips, though thin, were well shaped, made for kissing. Many carnal thoughts sprang to mind when she looked at his mouth and wondered what it would feel like on hers. She loved the way the unruly waves of his black hair rested on his scalp in a constant state of disarray. It was neither long nor short, just touching the edge of his collar.

He was gorgeous. And out of her league.

Thorne lowered his hands until they cupped her breasts. Merry gasped. "Mr. Mord --"

"Thorne," he whispered, kissing the nape of her neck.

"Thorne," she sighed, leaning against his hard body. A wave of pure desire rushed through her.

"You have no idea how much I've wanted you, Merry."

"So why didn't you ever say anything?" she asked, finding it hard to get the words out when he squeezed her aching mounds in his palms. She felt a tingling between her thighs and squirmed to temper the burning heat within.

"Because I wasn't sure how you'd react." His tongue slid over the shell of her ear and Merry thought she'd explode any second now. She turned around to press her tight breasts against his chest.

"I don't know why you would think I wouldn't want you. I've... I've wanted you for a long time too." Merry cupped the back of Thorne's neck. Her body awakened when he lowered his head to kiss her. She opened her mouth under the insistent pressure of his tongue initiating its seductive dance.

Merry ground her body against his, wanting to be closer. His hands slid down her back until they reached the curves of her ass, squeezing and molding them with his hands. She reveled in his touch, her body on fire for him. It was finally happening. After two months of daydreaming and fantasizing, Merry was in Thorne's arms.

He lifted his head with a soft groan, looking down at her with pale, lust-filled eyes. "You're beautiful, Merry. You have no idea how hard it's been watching you in this house and not being able to touch you -- to tell you how I feel."

She gasped. "How long?"

"I think from the beginning."

Merry shook her head. "But... I'm not beautiful."

"You are to me, and I want you."

She was on the verge of responding to Thorne's declaration when a shrill buzz sliced through the air. "What?" she asked, suddenly feeling disoriented and drowsy, the ringing cutting through her subconscious.

Reluctantly, Merry opened her eyes only to discover it was all a dream.

Damn.
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Sugarplum: Bound for Christmas by S. Michael

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Sugarplum: Bound for Christmas by S. MichaelCover art: Reneé George ISBN: 978-1-60521-527-3 Genre(s): Hot Flashes, BDSM Theme(s): Ménage, Bisexual and More, Christmas, Seasonal Themes Series: Sugarplums Length: Hot Flash

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1514

Blurb:

Jenny adores her husband and Dom, Greg, and she's looking for just the right Christmas gift for him. Lucky for her, her friend Luke has been lusting over her and Greg for a while now and is more than willing to let Jenny wrap him up as the best Christmas present ever.
When Greg gets home, he finds Jenny all wrapped up in red silk, and Luke bound to the wall wearing little more than bells and ribbons. Luke promises to be the best Christmas gift they've ever shared, and Greg's sure it'll be the hottest holiday, too!
Excerpt:
Sugarplum: Bound for Christmas
S. Michael
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2010 S. Michael

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

Jenny looked over at Luke, licked her lips and smiled, knowing full well the look was feral. She couldn't help it; she wanted to eat Greg's present up with a spoon. A tiny little silver spoon so that it took hours. "You look fabulous, baby boy."
Luke arched under the scrape of her nails, the bells on the little clamped nipples tinkling as he moved, the padded cuffs holding him stretched against the wall. She'd spent her own time bound there, twisting under Greg's attentions, but tonight it wasn't her turn.
Tonight they were celebrating the longest night of the year and, for once, her gift was going to be the best one.
One beautiful, needy, pale boy who begged her, so prettily, to let him play.
Luke was Greg's type -- he looked enough like her to be related, in fact. Blond, blue-eyed, on the petite side, with pale skin that would show marks. Jenny had spent all day getting the man ready. She'd shaved him from the neck down, then washed him before she'd bent him over the edge of the tub and cleaned him inside. She'd bound his cock with a lovely dark red ribbon and gagged him with a tiny one, more symbolic than anything.
Then she'd slipped her little black velvet collar on, along with a red satin teddy. If she was lucky, Greg would approve of her outfit.
If she was really lucky, he wouldn't.
The thought made her chuckle.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Greg walked into the back room, suit jacket open, tie halfway undone. His laser-sharp blue eyes took in her gift, and then her, raking over her body.
"Merry Christmas, love." She held the "sir" back, gauging her husband's mood and preference.
"Merry, indeed." The words all but purred out of Greg.
Eyes on Luke, Greg grabbed her and tugged her up against his solid body. Her chin was tilted, and Greg took her lips in a long, very thorough kiss. Jenny groaned as his thigh pressed between hers, making her wet, her pussy proving that the day had been enough to keep her stoked, hot. Greg's tongue took her lips again, stealing her breath and leaving her dazed.
"So you got me two gifts this year?"
"Hmm? I brought you this sweet baby boy, all wrapped."
"And what about this sweet girl, all decked out in red satin?" Greg's hand slid down to her ass, big hand wrapping around one cheek and squeezing tight.
"I'm always yours, love. Forever." Her hips moved, rubbing her slit against Greg's leg.
"I know." He kissed her again, his eyes on her gift as his tongue slid over hers.
Luke moaned behind them, the sound hungry, lovely.
"He's perfect, baby."
"I love you." She whispered the words into his ear. "He's all yours for the night. We're all yours to play with."
"Mmm. Does he taste as good as he looks?"
"I hope so. He's all smooth and showered for you."
Greg smiled into her eyes. "Thank you, baby."
He slapped her ass and then stalked over to where Luke was strung up against the wall.
Luke's blue eyes were heavy-lidded, that pretty cock thick and fat, swollen at the tip where it begged for attention. Clear drops slipped down the shaft, staining the pretty red ribbon.
"Oh, baby, he's everything I could have asked for." Greg's finger slid over Luke's chest, then flicked at one little nipple clamp, making it ring.
Luke gasped, his body arching toward Greg, and Jenny moaned. Pretty. She loved watching Greg when he played with the boys. Things got so fierce.
Greg tapped the thin ribbon in Luke's mouth. "Safe word, boy?"
"Basket, Sir."
Basket. That was adorable. Almost as sweet as Luke himself.
"Use it if you need it, boy." Then Greg's mouth covered Luke's, kissing him right around the ribbon.
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Sugarplum:Yuletide Spirit by Jessica Coulter Smith

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Sugarplum: Yuletide Spirit by Jessica Coulter SmithCover art: Reneé George ISBN: 978-1-60521-523-5 Genre(s): Paranormal, Hot Flashes Theme(s): Ménage, BBW, Christmas, Seasonal Themes Series: Sugarplums Length: Hot Flash

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1513

Blurb:

The last gift Jenna expected on Christmas was two lovers who make her explore her sexuality.
Jenna Monterey has inherited a plantation home that has seen better days. When she hires a restoration crew, she doesn't expect to be drawn to their lead team member. But there's just something about Jake that makes Jenna weak in the knees. She starts to have erotic dreams about Jake and someone named Matt, a man she's never met before, dreams that leave her trembling with desire. Are they an omen of what's to come? Or does she really just need to get laid?
Excerpt:
Sugarplum: Yuletide Spirit
Jessica Coulter Smith
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2010 Jessica Coulter Smith

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

Jenna eyed the house with trepidation. Having inherited the crumbling pile, she felt obligated to check it out before selling the place. Orphaned at birth, Jenna was adopted by Silas Monterey. She'd been fortunate to lead a life of privilege and had a trust fund that guaranteed she wouldn't want for money. But looking at the giant house before her, she wasn't sure her bank account could handle a complete restoration.
Windmere Plantation had been in the Monterey family for four hundred years, and it showed. The paint was peeling, having turned yellow with age. The mosaic tiled porch, which she was sure had been added later, and the paint on the massive columns had cracked in several places. Silas had never brought her here, and now she understood why.
At least the windows are intact, she thought with a grimace.
Squaring her shoulders, she inserted the key into the lock and pushed the door open, cringing at the loud creak that echoed throughout the house. It was dark and dusty inside. The dank smell of stale air and moisture assailed her. She wrinkled her nose and shut the door, plunging herself into darkness, the windows so filthy that no light could penetrate the gloom.
She looked at the floor, wanting to set her heavy bag down, but didn't dare. It was obvious she needed a cleaning crew to come immediately. There was no way she was going to tackle the monstrous job herself. Besides, she'd probably break her nails and ruin her French manicure.
Before she could leave, a cold chill swept over her and she heard a man laugh softly in her ear. With a gasp, she spun around, but no one was there. Her heart thundered in her chest as her eyes searched the inky blackness. After a moment, she decided it must have been her imagination.
Opening the front door, she slipped back outside and locked it. She wasn't about to stay in the house before it was cleaned and the linens were washed. For that matter, she'd probably have to buy new mattresses. No telling what kind of creatures had made nests in them.
This was definitely not how she had intended to spend her holiday. While it was her first Christmas without Silas, she'd wanted to spend it someplace warm -- the Bahamas maybe. Instead, she was stuck trying to fix an old house she had absolutely no interest in, other than to sell it.
After heaving her bag back into her trunk, she got behind the wheel and drove to the closest hotel. First thing in the morning, she would call someone to scrub the house from top to bottom. Once it was clean, she'd have a better idea of what she would need to restore before she could sell the crumbling pile. In its present state, she doubted she could get so much as a hundred dollars for the place. Hell, she probably couldn't give it away for free!
* * *
Entering the lobby of the plush hotel, she walked up to the desk and rang the bell.
An elderly man walked slowly from the back office and smiled at her. "What may I do for you, young lady?"
"I'd like a room. I'm not sure how long I'll need it though."
"Certainly." He tapped away on the computer keyboard. "May I see your driver's license and credit card?"
She handed both to him.
He stared at her driver's license with interest. "Monterey. Are you related to Silas Monterey?"
"You knew him?"
"Very well. Everyone knows Mr. Monterey and Windmere."
"That's why I'm here. Windmere. Father left it to me and I came to assess its value."
"Value?" He looked startled. "You aren't selling it, are you?"
"Well, yes."
"You might have a problem with that."
"Why?" she asked with a frown.
"Because it's haunted."
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