#TheReturnOfTheAncients #FuturisticRomance

 

Title: The Return of the Ancients

Author: Sherry Derr-Wille

Genre: Futuristic Romance

Book Heat Level:  1

 

Buy at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple, Kobo, Google Play

 

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BLURB: The Return of the Ancients

 

Nina is devastated when she realizes she must leave Plantas along with the man who is to become her mate, Ragnar, and her best friend, Tarena. When Nina arrives on Earth at the Nazca plains in Peru, she is greeted by a young archaeology student, Rand Jacobson. Even though she is attracted to Rand, she is still grieving the loss of Ragnar.

 

Ragnar is surprised when, after being greeted as a god on the planet Seros, the military opens fire on his family. After being taken prisoner, he is treated like a lab rat until a scientist, Geni, comes to his rescue. At her estate, he learns the physicians who work with her have saved the lives of his family and friends.

 

EXCERPT: The Return of the Ancients

 

The day of departure came faster than any of them hoped. Nina was saddened by the fact Ragnar would be going to Seros while she was destined to go to Earth. Even worse, her best friend, Tarena, as well as the man she was to marry, Gardo, were destined to go to Nalo.

“How can we all be going in different directions?” Tarena questioned as they gathered at the launching pad. “I’ll never see either of you again.”

“Don’t think about it that way,” Ragnar said consolingly. “Think of all the new people you’ll be meeting. This is an adventure and that’s how we have to look at it. We’re all young and when we get ready to go out on our own, we’ll find partners other than the ones we thought we’d be with during our youth. The same goes for friendships. None of us will ever forget about the others, but eventually we would have gone our separate ways. I’ve seen it happen with my siblings and it’s inevitable.”

“I know you’re right,” Nina agreed. “It’s just hard to say goodbye to my lifelong friends.”

Tarena continued to cry uncontrollably until her parents finally came to coax her to get into the ship that would be launched into the unknown. “Oh, Daddy, I don’t want to leave Nina and Ragnar behind.”

“We’ve been over this before, Daughter. This is not your decision to make. The elders have told us who will go where, and you will follow their decree.”

Tarena’s sobs subsided as she embraced first Ragnar before turning to Nina. “We’ve been best friends forever and I’ll never forget either of you. Thank the One God that Grato will be going to Nalo with me, even if he won’t be on the same ship.”

“You know we won’t forget you. It doesn’t matter how many light-years separate us, we will never be further away from each other than our memories.”

Nina wished she meant the words she spoke. She’d done her crying in the privacy of her room in her parents’ home. Last night she promised herself she wouldn’t make a spectacle of herself on the day of departure.

She and Ragnar waved to Tarena as she got into the ship her family would be using on their journey. The rockets fired and the ships destined to leave from this destination took off into space. She knew other ships were being launched from launching pads around the planet for Nalo.

“One down,” Ragnar declared, as he pulled Nina into a tight embrace. “I know we’ll both miss Tarena, but she’s starting out on an adventure of a lifetime, just like we are.”

Nina bit her lip to keep the tears at bay. “She will be with the man she wants to marry once they land on Nalo. You and I will be separated for the remainder of our lives. How can you be so accepting of this? I don’t know if I’ll ever be as certain about our journey as you are. There is a possibility none of us could ever make it to where we are going. What happens if we are met with hostilities or something goes wrong during the flight?”

“You can’t think that way, Nina. I told you my brother has traveled to Seros in the past and it was perfectly safe. Didn’t your father tell you the same things about the expeditions we’ve sent to Earth?”

“He did, but Nalo is the unknown. I haven’t heard of any flights going there. Have you?”

Ragnar shook his head. “I asked my father about that and he knows nothing about Nalo either. I think the people in Tarena’s group are very close-mouthed about everything. It could be Nalo is as much a paradise as either Seros or Earth. I’ve tried to ask others these same questions and no one wants to talk about it. I worry about that part of the exploratory group going to Nalo, but I can’t dwell on it. I’m excited and you should be too.”

Nina nodded. “I am starting to get excited about the trip we’re about to make. I just hate leaving our home as well as my friends, but the unknown does intrigue me.”

Before Ragnar could answer, his father called him to board the ship that would be taking him far away from her. With a quick but loving kiss, he turned from her and went to join his family on the second ship to be launched into the unknown.

The sound of the rockets firing off was deafening, but once the ships carrying Ragnar and his family disappeared into the stratosphere, Nina looked around her world. It suddenly seemed terribly empty and dead. Knowing the eventual fate of the world in which she’d lived her entire life made her anxious to find the ship where her parents and other members of their party were already waiting for her. 

 

                                                            ~  * ~

 

Nina looked up from the navigational computer. Just yesterday she’d seen planet Earth appear on the screen. At the beginning of the journey, she’d been heartbroken at the thought of leaving Ragnar, the man she always hoped she’d marry, as well as her best friend, Tarena, behind. The very thought of them going to the other ends of the Galaxy was devastating, but messages Ragnar continued to send through their communications officers told her he was excited about the journey. Yesterday morning she’d received a message they were about to arrive on Seros. He was certain his family and the remainder of his party would be welcomed and revered.

It bothered her to know there had been no communication from the first delegation to leave their planet. It was entirely possible Tarena and all the people with her had not survived the journey to get to Nalo.

Nina prayed Earth would bring the same results for them as Ragnar expected to find on Seros. Even the translators her father insisted be implanted didn’t mean their arrival would be heralded in the same way. She had apprehensions about the inhabitants of Earth.

In the histories of the ancients, she’d read about the backward peoples who populated the planet. Her ancestors educated them at various places around the globe. The modern names seemed alien to her. Egypt, Turkey, England, Europe, Thailand, China and their destination of Peru. 

On the day she left with her family and other people from their planet for Peru, six other ships departed for the various places where they once brought the people the knowledge of medicine, language, architecture and mathematics. They’d traveled through the time warp together and now were getting ready to descend to the face of the planet en masse. 

“You look worried, Daughter,” Dragger said. 

He placed his hand on her shoulder and studied the navigational screen.

“What if we are not considered Gods when we arrive on Earth? What if we are seen as enemies rather than friends? I read in the more recent histories of how a ship from another planet landed in a place the Earthlings called New Mexico and the occupants were killed. What if the people we meet want to kill us in the same manner?”

“The time was not right. These people have become more enlightened. They are expecting our return. We will not be seen as Gods as were our ancestors, but with this new generation, they will be accepting us as we are. We are but mortal men and women with advanced intelligence who helped to shape their world thousands of years ago. You will see, the times have changed and so have the humans we helped to mold into what they are today.

 

 

Website URL: 

 

Blog URL:www.derr-wille.blogspot.com 

 

Facebook page: SHERRY DERR-WILLE

 

 

LINKS

 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TWFJK25

 

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-return-of-the-ancients-sherry-derr-wille/1132306405?ean=2940161461310

 

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sherry_Derr_Wille_The_Return_of_the_Ancients?id=gwOgDwAAQBAJ

 

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-return-of-the-ancients

 

 

 

 

#TheLookOfLove #ContemporaryRomance

 

The Look of Love by Rosemary Indra

Excerpt Heat Level 1

Book Heat Level 3

 

Buy at Amazon: 

 

BLURB: The Look of Love

 

Scott Denton always thinks of Penny Herrington as his best friend, a co-worker in the Forest Ridge Fire Department. She tricks him into helping her with the decorations for the Sweetheart Banquet. During their discussion about love and romance, Scott starts to notice Penny as a desirable woman.

 

When Penny hurts her ankle, Scott feels responsible and decides to move in with her. Spending time together, they share intimate discussions about love and marriage. Penny, a widow, feels guilty when her relationship with Scott becomes romantic. Devastated after a nasty divorce, Scott no longer believes in love and vows he’ll never remarry. He denies his feelings for Penny until he realizes only she can comfort him after he assist the fire department at a tragic car accident.

 

EXCERPT: The Look of Love

 

THE LOOK OF LOVE

 

The pager on her waistband sounded a moment before Penny heard the city's alarm sound. Her sense of duty and the need to help others pulled her back into the station to answer the call. "One vehicle off the road-milepost two on Oak Knoll Road." Penny read her pager out loud.

 

Once she put on her turnouts, she jumped into the engine. That's why she was there. After years of working at the bank, she'd gone back to school and became a paramedic. She wanted to help others and make a difference. Joining the fire department was the best way to honor Jim's memory.

 

Scott got into the officer's seat in front of her. She wondered if she should get out. Catching her reflection in the window, she straightened her turnout and renewed her fortitude. They'd shared a few kisses. Nothing more. The passion his kiss ignited was best forgotten. If he was uncomfortable with the situation, he could get into the other vehicle.

 

She ignored the usual chatter in the engine cab as other firefighters joined them and they drove to the accident. A pickup truck rolled over in the ditch with one occupant was all she'd heard. She drew a deep breath trying to still her clamoring nerves. Until now, she'd ignored her growing awareness of Scott. For some reason tonight her defenses were lowered and she could no longer disregard her desire for him.

 

Once they stopped at the scene, Scott asked. "Penny, do you feel comfortable directing traffic?"

 

Without looking at him, she replied, "Yes." Then she grabbed a flashlight, fluorescent vest and stop sign from the side compartment and hurried to the back of the engine. Red lights flashed around her. She directed the rescue unit and ambulance to the accident a few yards up the road.

 

"Watch your backside," Scott yelled. Like always, he stood behind her, protecting her.

 

Guiding drivers wasn't her favorite job in the department, but traffic was light for the middle of the night. She couldn't believe how much time they'd spent in the storage room.

 

"How are you doing?" he asked a few minutes later.

 

Penny jumped at the sound of his voice beside her. "You startled me, I didn't hear you." She hadn't been able to get Scott off her mind since they left the station. Now she hesitated to look at him.

 

"I wanted a chance to talk to you alone." His voice held a serious tone; an I-want-to-clarify-any-misunderstanding-tone.

 

Red lights from the rescue unit continued their rhythmic flash around them. The colored illumination added a surreal appearance to the worry lines that marked Scott's face. He too appeared shaken by something. In the darkness she couldn't fully read his expression. With his brows lowered, he had a stern look of finality over his features. She guessed their kissing surprised him as much as it did her. Afraid she was losing her best friend, she breathed in deep. She knew and dreaded the subject he wanted to discuss with her.

 

"I'm sorry about earlier. I…"

 

"I understand it won't happen again," she said hurriedly. If only she could turn back the clock.

 

 

 

Read and enjoy this one. Overall, this story gave me happy thoughts about life and love.

 

Seriously Reviewed  19 out of 20

 

 

#TheLeaderOfTheBand #ContemporaryRomance

 

Title: The Leader of the Band

Author: Genie Gabriel

Email: genene@genenevalleau.com

 

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Excerpt Heat Level: 1

Book Heat Level: 2

 

Buy at: Amazon, 

 

BLURB: The Leader of the Band

 

On stage, band leader Zach Zacata controls the emotions of thousands of fans, but he can't control his middle-aged body. When he has a heart attack, best friend and sometime lover Lauren Westover provides a place where Zach can heal. And Zach realizes he has one more chance to win Lauren's love--if a killer doesn't get to them first.

 

 

EXCERPT: The Leader of the Band

 

Staring at the woman in the mirror, Lauren slowly pushed the gray wig off her head. Her naturally blonde hair lay matted forlornly against one side of her head. As she turned her head, a white bandage became obvious, framed by a semi-circle of close-cropped stubble around her ear where waves of golden hair used to flow.

 

I could have lost my life instead of my hair,she reassured herself. Still, a spiral of panic threaded through Lauren’s belly. 

 

Sometimes Lauren disparaged her beauty, especially when lechers with insulting hands expected free access to her body. However, she also knew her physical appearance garnered many opportunities a plain woman never enjoyed. 

 

Now, hidden out in a retirement center and disguised as an old woman, no one had spared a second glance at her. Hadn't she wanted to be respected for something that didn't depend on good looks? 

 

A commotion at the door startled Lauren away from her own musings. Zach slipped inside and slammed the door shut behind him. Then he leaned against it, gulping deep breaths of air. His silver-streaked wig hung precariously over one ear; his satin smoking jacket was missing the belt that knotted it jauntily around his middle when she left him less than fifteen minutes ago.

 

He slid the lock into place and limped toward Lauren. “Whoever said women lose their libido in old age never visited this place.”

 

He flung the wig on the bed for the cat to play with and sat beside Lauren on the vanity bench. “How are you doing?”

 

Lauren shrugged. “Have the police found any sign of Matt [my son]?”

 

Zach’s fingers tiptoed across the bare skin at the back of Lauren’s neck. “Nothing yet. Johnny is spending most of his off-duty time shaking up the homeless hangouts. But they’re a tight-lipped bunch. Don’t talk to cops much.”

 

Zach’s lips touched the cool skin of Lauren’s nape. “He'll be alright.”

 

Her shiver this time wasn’t from fear for Matt but the trail of Zach's kisses across the base of her neck. Funny how being in a place with older people had eased Zach’s mind about aging. These men and women hadn’t given up on life when their youth faded. They still indulged their passions and their dreams. They spoke their minds and pursued what they wanted without regard to what others thought.

 

They were free in so many ways from the restraints and criticisms of the world. Free from their own unrealistic expectations, yet at peace with taking risks and trying new experiences.

 

Why had Zach feared growing old? "Will you make love with me?”

 

Lauren turned and stared at Zach. Disbelief, humor, interest, and eagerness flickered in her eyes before she placed her hand in Zach’s. 

 

The Calling by Branwen OShea

 Please welcome Branwen Shea author of The Calling

Branwen OShea will be awarding a prize pack of 1) One signed paperback,2) One Tote bag with the Finding Humanity Series logo (Savas' Compass)and 3) Two different bookmarks for The Calling, one signed by the author, to one randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

 

The Calling

by Branwen OShea 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GENRE: YA Sci-fi

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

Humanity’s wake-up call. Answer it or face extinction.

 

When Bleu’s little sister shows symptoms of the deadly Sickness, a strange vision directs him to leave humanity’s subterranean haven and seek the cure on Earth’s glacial surface. Joining the expedition team, Bleu expects extreme temperatures, not a surface ruled by ingenious predators.

 

Rana and her fellow star beings have co-existed with Earth’s top carnivores since the humans disappeared. But when her peers transform into Crowned Ones, the final stage of star being development, she fears remaining Uncrowned like her parents. To prove her worth, she undertakes a dangerous mission—contacting the hostile and nearly extinct humans.

 

But Rana’s plan backfires, and Bleu’s team retaliates. As war with the more advanced star being civilization looms, both Rana and Bleu separately seek a way to save their people.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

EXCERPT:

 

She knelt, and with trembling hands, she grabbed the extra piece of soaked wood. If she put one log in the back of the cave and kept one in the entrance, then maybe she’d be safe between them until daybreak. Of course, that assumed whatever predator lurked outside lost interest in her by daybreak.

 

Two fires were her best chance. Her only chance. She quickly placed the second piece of wood, filled its opening with tinder, and grabbed her stones.

 

The growling grew closer. At this rate, she’d never get the log lit in time. Her mind raced through possibilities, but they all required skills she lacked and ended with her death.

 

Wait. Furred ones sense energy. In desperation, she expanded her energy to appear larger and hoped her fake size might give the predator pause.

 

In this enlarged-energy state, she struck the flint and fire stone together. They sparked, but the log remained unlit. Long claws scraped against the floor. She peered up from the flint. The pale light of the first log reflected off two eyes.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

As a young girl, Branwen wanted to become an ambassador for aliens. Since the aliens never hired her, she now writes about them.

 

Branwen OShea has a Bachelors in Biology from Colgate University, a Bachelors in Psychology, and a Masters in Social Work. She lives in Connecticut with her family and a menagerie of pets, and enjoys hiking, meditating, and star-gazing. Her previously published works include contributing to a nonfiction yoga book, wellness magazines, and her published science fiction novella, Silence of the Song Trees.

 

Website: www.branwenoshea.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/branwenoshea

Instagram: www.instagram.com/branwenoshea

Facebook: www.facebook.com/branwenoshea

 

Order Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735915998

 

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

Branwen OShea will be awarding a prize pack of 1) One signed paperback,2) One Tote bag with the Finding Humanity Series logo (Savas' Compass)and 3) Two different bookmarks for The Calling, one signed by the author, to one randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f3604

#EditingByAngels

     

Editing by Angels

Rogue’s Angels would like to help make the publishing process a little bit easier. We offer editing, proofreading, and covers at a reasonable price. 

Rogues Angels have years of editing experience, starting in the 90’s. Please check out resumes at the Rogue’s Angels blog: http://roguesangels.blogspot.com

Editing plus proofreading rates are:

$150 for under 50K words

$250 for 50K to 100K words

$350 for over 100K words.

Covers price varies. Once a cover is used it will not be used again. Check out pre-made covers at:

http://www.designsbymsg.com/SpreeSpecials.html and http://www.designsbymsg.com/FastTrackForSale.html

For more information contact Christine Young ~ achristay@aol.com

AVAILABLE  COVERS:

#TheGift #HistoricalRomance

 

The Gift

Christine Young

Excerpt Heat Level: 1

Book Heat Level: 1

 

Buy at Amazon:  

 

 

BLURB: The Gift

 

A man and a woman on opposite sides of the Civil War get a second chance at love after one final battle returns soldiers to their war-torn homes to rebuild their lives.

 

REVIEW: The Gift

 

This story is straight from the heart. Told in a passive voice and as a first person account through Elice and Micha's eyes. Their thoughts tug your heartstings. Their memory of their past life, the war and of course the present. They never fell out of love but exhuming those feelings hurt. They also had to face the consequences of their actions when an unexpected visitor arrived in their plantation home. Elice and Micha found out that in war, there is something worst than death and it is cowardice.

 

 

EXCERPT: The Gift

 

He listened to the soft sound of slippered feet at the door. Then a hesitant knock before he heard her enter the tiny room. He let his head rest on the back of the tub, planning the next steps to winning over Elice Weld.

 

"I have bath sheets for you." Her voice was unsure and Micha didn't like the vulnerability he heard. 

 

"Come in," he said. If you have the courage to confront the man you love.

 

The silence that followed unnerved him. He'd wanted so badly to pick up the pieces from where they'd left off five long years ago. He'd been a fool to think picking up the pieces would be remotely possible. A long campaign would only wear her down. The skirmishes would not make her love him, nor would it regain her trust in him.

 

The door creaked open. The creak was one of a long list of things to do to help Elice with the upkeep of her home. He'd already set his men repairing fences as well as the land for spring planting. He'd talked to them for a long time about the work, and the men he'd brought with him were all willing to help out before they traveled home. Some said it was a hell of a lot better than fighting.

 

"I'll put them on the shelves here. Don't let me bother you." She stared openly at him for a half-second before flushing crimson and turning her back on him. But she didn't leave the room.

 

Do you like what you see?he wanted to ask. "You would never bother me. You can stay," he told her. "Wash my back."

 

"When pigs fly." 

 

He grinned. That held shades of the woman he loved. "You don't have any," he said. "So that's hardly fair." 

 

Her shoulders stiffened and the steel rod in her spine couldn't get any straighter. He needed to find a way to bring back the woman he once knew without changing the indomitable courage that seemed to have become her calling card.

 

Buck naked he rose from the bath, water sluicing from his skin. He heard her slight gasp, and he wondered if he had just made a huge mistake. She'd seen him naked before. Inwardly, he sighed. One step backward and two steps forwards sometimes worked. He stepped from the tub. He wondered if the wounds on his body upset her. She didn't look upset just curious.

 

"Could you hand me a bath sheet," he asked nonchalantly.

 

Her beautiful azure eyes were huge. He watched her swallow then lift her chin a notch. She unfolded a sheet and walked to him, holding it out. He didn't mean to make this too easy for her. But he also didn't want to scare her away. He let her get within a few inches before taking the sheet from her. He wrapped it around his waist and grabbed another sheet from the counter where she'd set the rest of them. He towel dried his hair and chest then sat down on a chair near the tub.

 

"I'm ready anytime you are. Do you want to change your mind?"

 

"I'm not afraid of a Yankee soldier, if that's what you're asking," she said as she put the scissors and the razor on a table near the chair where he sat.

 

"Maybe you should be."

 

She ignored him. "Scoot the chair out so I can get around the back," she said, the tone in her voice told him her courage returned full force.

 

He obliged with a smile and a nod. At the moment, teasing her didn't seem like a great idea so he rested his hands in his lap and let her work her magic. When she ran her fingers through his hair, he closed his eyes and clenched his fists, wishing for things that couldn't be right now. Beneath his ribs his heart thundered as loud as stampeding horses. When she smoothed the soap across his jaw and upper lip, he hardened. When she moved in front of him, his legs spread wide to let her stand between them. He understood a need so great he'd do everything in his power to convince Elice Weld he deserved another chance.

 

He groaned.

 

She paused, the razor hovering near his upper lip. "Are you all right?" she asked.

 

"Just dandy," he said, wondering why he'd wanted to torture himself. One of his men could have done this.

 

Ah, but not as well as Elice and not with her breasts an inch away from his mouth, not with the scent of vanilla lingering and swirling around him, enticing every sense he possessed.

 

"Do you want me to take off the mustache?"

 

"Yes," he choked out. When he made love to her, he wanted to feel every soft and gentle touch of her finger tips.

 

Thinking about making love brought an unconscious reaction from him. Without giving it a second thought, he brought his hands to her hips. His fingers tightened, his thumbs and hands exploring while he still had the chance. 

 

Startled, the razor nicked his cheek. "That's probably not such a good idea," she whispered.

 

"What?" he asked, knowing full well of what she spoke.

 

"Touch me," she whispered raggedly.

 

"I thought you would never ask," he said smoothly but let his hands drop to lap once again.

 

#TheFullMoon #YA #ParanormalRomance

 

The Full Moon Rises

Courtney Rene

EMail: ctnyrene@aol.com

 

Genre: Young Adult/Paranormal Romance

Excerpt Heat Level: 1

Book Heat Level: 2

 

Buy at:  Amazon, Barnes and Noble

 

 

BLURB: The Full Moon Rises

 

Life as a shape shifter is not as easy as it would seem, especially not for Abigail Staton. Being a teenager and a shape shifter is even harder, not to mention being one of the last remaining females in the two competing wolf clans and the only girl in her new schools. Striving to find where she belongs, gets sidelined when an old threat to the wolves resurfaces. The clans are forced to come together in a semi-truce, and the already dominant males become even more controlling in trying to protect their own as well as their secret. Abby finds herself in the middle yet again, but this time, she will need both clans in order to survive.

 

REVIEW: The Full Moon Rises

 

The Full Moon Rises

Courtney Rene

978-1-62420-239-1

 

By Jeffrey Ross 

5 stars out of 5

 

The Full Moon Rises: A howl In the Night Book 2 by Courtney Rene continues the dramatic life of Abby, a nearly seventeen-year-old shapeshifter who tries to balance her wolf and human “selves.”

This unique coming-of-age narrative details Abby’s struggles with her own special nature and the patriarchal wolf clan to which she belongs-- and climaxes as she confronts the wolf-destroying group The Hunterz.

A successful strain of feminism persists in this second book of the Howling as strong-willed Abby exerts her emerging personality and successfully defines her relationships with humans and shapeshifters.

I only hope a third book is in the works for this gritty, naturalistic, and enticing series.

 

 

EXCERPT: The Full Moon Rises

 

Fear trickled down my spine. How close were they? I needed to run. I needed to get inside. I turned my head to see how far to the house it really was. It was a long way. Could I run to it fast enough? Could I outpace the danger?

I decided to take the chance. I jumped to my feet and in the same breath, bolted for the house and the back door. I ran like I was being chased,and for all I knew,I was. I ran so hard my chest hurt. I pumped my arms as I ran. I ran so fast I hardly felt the cool grass on my bare feet. I hurled up the stairs and in the same motion threw open the door and fell inside. I slammed the big door closed and bolted it.

I dropped flat on my back on the floor and gasped for breath. My heart beat like it was trying to get out of my chest. I settled a hand on my chest and tried to slow my breathing and my heart.

I was almost back to normal when the overhead light winked on and blinded me.

"What the hell is going on? Abigail? What are you doing down here?"

My father, of course, towered over me. It had to be him, of all people. My eyes slowly adjusted to the light and I squinted up at him. I didn't get a chance to answer as his eyes were focused on my feet. My mud and grass covered feet. Oh crap, I was in trouble. My slowing heart picked up speed again.

"You were not just outside, were you?" he asked. It was not a question. It was a statement said with deadly calm. He already knew the answer. He just needed to say it out loud.

Since I was happy to have made it back inside alive, I wasn't all that afraid. Well,maybeI wasa little because who wouldn't be? He was a big man with a bit of an animal temper. I answered him, "Yes."

He bent over me, grabbed my shoulders and hauled me up to my feet in a single motion. He didn't let go of me,though, oh,no. Instead,he pulled me up off the floor so my feet were no longer touching it and I was level with his face. He asked with that same calm, which was completely contradictory to his actions at the time, "Why were you outside, Abigail?"

I swear I about peed myself. I half wanted to run back outside. At least the danger out there would have probably killed me quickly. "I…I wanted to run in the forest. I couldn't sleep. I thought the run would wear me out."

It was the truth, the whole truth,and yet, I doubted he believed me. There was something in his eyes that told me he didn't.

With extreme gentleness he set me back down on my feet. He turned away from me and said, "Go to bed. I don't want to look at you right now."

"I'm not lying to you," I said.

"We will discuss it in the morning," was his only reply.

"Fine, don't believe me," I said. I held my head up and proudly left the room. Yes, maybe going out in the middle of the night hadn't been all that smart, but it wasn't for any bad reason. I wasn't sneaking to meet anyone.

I snorted at that thought. Heck, if I wanted a guy right then, all I had to do was crook my little finger in his direction and he would come running to me. I didn't have to do any running, not with the way I smelled. Thethought made me crinkle my nose. Smell, such a simple thing, but it grossed me out. I wanted to smell good in a conventional way, not a hormonal way.

I didn't really want a guy anyway. Did I? Derek's face flashed in my mind. No, no. I didn't want him. He was a controlling ass and,heck,he didn't even believe in love. I didn't want him. Even telling myself that, though, I knew I was lying. Maybe what I needed to remind myself was that I didn't want to want him.

I flopped back into my bed, dirty feet and all. I didn't care. I'd get the sheets changed in the morning. Part of the reason I didn't want Derek was that my parents wanted me to. It was a stupid reason, but that was a big one. I was the keeper of my own destiny. No, he was not suitable. Just no.

Stupid Derek and his stupid gorgeous face were my last thoughts before I finally allowed sleep to claim me.

 

REVIEW:

 

Title:  The Full Moon Rises

Author:  Courtney Rene 

 

Rating:  5 out of 5

 

Reviewed by Angelia Amos on Amazon

 

I was so excited to see that Courtney Rene had written the sequel to A Howl in the Night. The Full Moon Rises doesn't disappoint as we learn more about the complicated world of shape shifters that Abby has been thrust into. Abby leads us through her new world determined not to let the male dominated families keep her on the sideline as a new threat arises threatening all of them.