Coming April 11 - Once Upon a Wolf

Once Upon a Wolf cover reveal

Coming April 11

Blurb:

Hawk is alone, hiding from the world, living in a tiny, rickety cabin his grandfather built. He has few supplies and fewer yet of the skills needed to survive on his own, but because of what he did, because of what his father caused him to do… well, there’s just no other choice.

But then one day “Ghost” shows up. A large lone wolf who begins to “take care of” Hawk. He brings him game, he protects him from predators, and he even pulls him from a raging river. He is Hawk’s only friend and Hawk begins to talk to ghost as if he is human and can understand.

Except Ghost isn’t human.

Yes, Ghost has filled a void in Hawk’s life, and he is very grateful, but he is a wolf and Hawk needs the company of a human. In fact, Hawk is desperately lonely, to the point he even tells Ghost he longs for the touch of a man, the first time he has ever said such a wicked thing out loud.

Then one full-moon night a large, beautiful naked man breaks into the cabin and grabs Hawk, looming over him like he wants to eat him alive. At first Hawk is terrified, but then he realizes the stranger has Ghost’s amazing golden eyes... 

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Upon a Once and Future Time - Hurri Cosmo and Shannon West

Blurb:

Pari is a Ruby Dragon, or a halfling, anyway, who doesn’t know much about being any kind of Dragon, but he does know about the tyrannical royal family who has ruled the cursed kingdom where he lives for the past two hundred years. Since the beloved Pearl Prince of their kingdom was cruelly murdered by the evil Obsidian Queen so long ago, the people of the kingdom have suffered and still mourn his loss. Yet, Pari is determined to help free his countrymen if he can. When one of his raids on the king’s palace goes terribly wrong, he winds up running for his life and right into an ancient wizard who offers him a way out—through the reflection on a magic bronze shield that he can use to go back through time to save the life of the Pearl Prince.

Once Pari arrives, he has to deal not only with misunderstandings, but an overwhelming attraction to the handsome Prince. Maxsim teaches Pari everything a good Dragon should know, including making love while flying. Treacherous trolls, evil black snow and an unexpected fall back to his own time threaten his new-found happiness with Maxsim. When he learns of the treachery around him, he has to find a way back to his love and be willing to sacrifice everything to save him and change the course of history. If he can pull it off, and if he doesn’t die in the attempt, he might just get everything his heart desires.

MARCH 7 release!!!!

Read an excerpt HERE

Once Upon a Wolf - Excerpt

Hawk

The door to his cabin slammed open.

Hawk shot up on the bed and spotted a man standing in the doorway. Back-lit by the full moon, Hawk could tell the man was huge.

The man was also naked, carrying something in one hand.

And he was growling.

Hawk was on his feet but there was nowhere to run. The only escape was through the very door the large man was standing in. Thinking briefly about it now, March had made a big mistake not putting in a second way out of the cabin.

“What do you want?” Hawk cried out. He was frightened now, silently praying for the wolf to return and save him one more time.

“Ghost…want Hawk…” came the reply as the man’s nose went up, sniffing the air.

Had he heard the stranger correctly? The words were slurred, as if the man who said them had been deep in the cider. “W… what?”

The man took a step into the cabin, then shut the door. “Want – Hawk.”

His words were clearer, as if saying them for the second time was easier. A thought started to form. “Who…who are you?”

With the door closed and the bright moonlight blocked out, Hawk could begin to see slight details on the stranger. The low light of the fireplace helped with that along with the same bright moonlight pouring in from some of the small windows. Dark hair, and lots of it. Not only on the top of his head, but on his chest. Wide chest and thick thighs and just a hint of something large sticking out from in front of him.

The man pointed to himself. “Ghost,” he said. Then he pointed to Hawk and took another step toward him. “Hawk.”

Could it be? No! He had to be hallucinating. This man could, in no way, be Ghost, the wolf. Had he truly changed into a man? Exactly what Hawk had been wishing for all this time? Wishes of that magnitude just did not come true. They couldn’t. It was not sane to even think about.

But, of course, Hawk had never been accused of being sane anyway. Quite the opposite, in fact. Not only that, but the man smelled like Ghost. That wonderful heady amazing fragrance was Ghost. But…how? Except Ghost had magic so…maybe.

Or he could be dreaming.

He noticed Ghost was carrying something, a container of some kind. It actually looked familiar. Then he remembered. It was one that Hawk had seen that very afternoon.

The jelly? Oh! It was the jelly!

“How…” But Rufus and Jeremiah had been in a hurry to leave as well. Perhaps they were unable to grab the container when they did. It also proved that this was indeed Ghost.

Ghost dropped the container and came forward, taking a hold of Hawk’s shoulders. “Fingers,” he said, his stubbly face coming near as he bent over Hawk. “Fingers,” he repeated in a whisper as he moved his hands down Hawk’s arms, then up his back, pulling Hawk close. Hawk hadn’t really thought about the fact Ghost had skin of his own until that moment. It was glorious. Hawk wrapped his arms around Ghost and leaned against the bigger man. The skin on skin had an immediate effect on Hawk, one that wasn’t missed by Ghost. Hawk heard him inhale as he grabbed the hair at the back of Hawk’s head, while the other hand engulfed Hawk’s right nether cheek. “Hawk is mate.” He growled again. “Hawk is mine!”

Once Upon a Wolf

Hawk is alone, hiding from the world, living in a tiny, rickety cabin his grandfather built. He has few supplies and fewer yet of the skills needed to survive on his own, but because of what he did, because of what his father caused him to do… well, there’s just no other choice.

But then one day “Ghost” shows up. A large lone wolf who begins to “take care of” Hawk. He brings him game, he protects him from predators, and he even pulls him from a raging river. He is Hawk’s only friend and Hawk begins to talk to ghost as if he is human and can understand.

Except Ghost isn’t human.

Even so, Ghost has filled a void in Hawk’s life, and he is very grateful, but he is a wolf and Hawk needs the company of a human. In fact, Hawk is desperately lonely, to the point he even tells Ghost he longs for the touch of a man, the first time he has ever said such a wicked thing out loud.

Then one full-moon night a large, beautiful naked man breaks into the cabin and grabs Hawk, looming over him like he wants to eat him alive. At first Hawk is terrified, but then he realizes the stranger has Ghost’s amazing golden eyes... 

Coming soon
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Once Upon A Wolf - Excerpt 2

(temporary cover)

Once Upon a Wolf - A First Shifters Story

(Former working title "Hawk's Spirit")

(Spirit's name has been changed to Ghost)

Unedited excerpt

This was the first winter Hawk spent by himself. Thankfully it had been a mild one. He had brought as many supplies with him as he could when he came to the cabin three months earlier. Even so, sooner or later he was going to have to consider venturing back into that small town at the bottom of the mountain, the town he came from, to buy more. Even though doing something like that might be a death sentence. 

But meat, he had been under the belief, he could provide for himself.

Not that he was a great hunter. Quite the opposite. At least that was what his old man had said countless times and to anyone who would listen.

“That kid got no aim. No aim at all. Totally worthless piece of shit, that boy.”

No, March Grayson was not proud of his son in any form, shape or matter. And that was even before the man learned Hawk had no attraction to women. Prior to that, Hawk could count on getting a beating for every tiny infraction, of which were countless. A good number of those infringements were unavoidable. As in how much work Hawk could possibly get done all by himself in the morning before March got up. In most cases, if all the chores were not complete, if there was anything left for March at all, Hawk could count on receiving some bruises. And Hawk learned early on, he only got a worse beating if he outran the old man, which was easy to do, since the only real physical activity March got was kicking Hawk’s ass.

Then there was March’s craziness.

“Milk the oldest cow first, idiot. How stupid can you be?”

When Hawk attempted to avoid March's wrath by complying, March changed his mind.

“Why the fuck you milking that old cow first for? You don’t fucking listen to me, boy!”

But, of course, it never mattered that he would follow the old man’s insane directions or not. There were always problems. From too much rain, or too little, to it being too cold in the house, to the missing chicken leg out of the icebox that March himself ate in a drunken haze, somehow it was always Hawk’s fault. 

“You’re too fucking stupid, boy. You got shit for brains.”

“Came from you, didn’t I? I am your fucking son, after all!”

However, talking back earned him not only a beating. The old fucker cut his meals off for two solid days. According to his father he was an ungrateful son of a bitch and he was damn lucky he didn’t sell Hawk’s sorry ass into slavery.

But after his father caught him canoodling with a neighbor boy, his father’s word, not Hawk’s, the old fart couldn’t even look at Hawk much less touch him.

Which was just fine with him.

Hawk moved out after that, finding sanctuary with Tom Meyer, the man who owned the feed mill. He worked his ass off for old man Meyer for room and board, living above the mill in a tiny, dusty room. Thankfully the fact he was “not right in the head” didn’t follow him since his father had a reputation to uphold. How do you explain your one and only son turning evil and immoral? He might just lose his status down at the local bar if anyone important found out the truth. Hell, they might think March, himself, was something unnatural. The asshole wasn’t too happy with the fact Hawk was no longer free labor or a handy punching bag. But evidently that was easier to explain to his drinking partners than taking the risk of having something sinful and sick lurking under his roof.

Again, just fine with Hawk. As fucked up as his life had been, he had no love for the man who had once claimed him as son.

A man who was dead and gone now. Murdered, some might say.

Hawk shivered.

Water under the bridge.

Hawk stoked the fire in the outdoor fire pit. He had skinned, gutted and skewered the rabbits and was slowly roasting them, allowing the aroma to spread far and wide. He knew that was probably unwise as well, attracting far more sinister creatures than Hawk was prepared for. But other than that morning, he hadn’t caught sight of Ghost all day. He found he was missing the big animal’s company. Plus, Hawk was hoping to share the gift.

Suddenly he heard a rustling noise in the woods to his left near the cabin. He rose to his feet expecting Ghost to come padding into the clearing, but it wasn’t the wolf. Instead it was a very large grizzly.

 “Oh no,” Hawk whispered regretting he had not been more cautious. The second he thought about the fact he might have been doing something less than intelligent, like personally inviting a monster bear to dinner, he should have brought his gun closer. Right now, his rifle was laying up against the wall near the front door, about twenty feet away. Hawk knew that if he dashed for it, the bear would attack. But it appeared like he wasn’t going to have much of a choice since the bear knew exactly where he needed to come in order to consume the meal it had smelled, and now it had spotted Hawk. This early in the season the bear had to be a male; probably just out of hibernation and hungry. The problem was, the rabbits would only whet its appetite. In fact, the bear most likely wasn’t even thinking about rabbits for dinner anymore. 

Because Hawk was now on the menu.

As the bear lumbered quickly toward him, Hawk began to step back. He knew he would never make it to his gun since he had to run toward the bear to get it, but it was his only hope.

Unexpectedly, Ghost burst from the forest with a terrifying howl, leaped to the back of the bear, and ferociously bit into the bear’s neck. As shocked as Hawk was, he realized he now had time to get to his gun. He turned from the fight just as he saw the bear pitch itself around, flipping Ghost with him. Hawk grabbed his weapon and whipped around, Ghost now underneath the bear, a large paw holding him to the ground. The bear’s enormous jaws had opened and were descending on the wolf.

Even knowing his poor accuracy record, Hawk still aimed and shot toward the bear, hoping to frighten it away at best and gain its attention at least.

But the bear scarcely glanced at Hawk, too caught up in dealing out death to Hawk’s precious Ghost. However, the blast made it hesitate, and in that instant, Ghost was somehow able to fight off the huge paw that held him down. On his feet, Ghost put himself in-between the bear and Hawk, once again lunging for the neck of the animal. It was almost as if Ghost’s intent was to protect him. But even a wolf the size of Ghost could not possibly hold off that gigantic and hungry of a bear. And in answer to Hawk’s frantic thought, the grizzly twisted its body and threw a thick arm around Ghost’s middle. Pulling tight, it knocked the air right out of Ghost, making him vulnerable again to the bear’s powerful jaws.   

Hawk had only one more second to save his friend.

Running closer as he leveled his gun, this time aiming for the grizzly’s head, Hawk squeezed off another round. But instead of the fatal shot he had hoped for, Hawk missed and only ripped an ear.

Thankfully, it was enough.

The bear let out a pained roar and gave up the fight. It lumbered off into the black forest, bellowing its agony.

Hawk ran for Ghost who dropped to the ground.

“Ghost! Ghost, are you all right?”

He was bleeding in several places but none of them appeared life threatening. Still, Hawk needed to get him to safety. The bear sounded like it had scurried up the mountain but there was no guarantee it would stay gone.

Hawk gazed into those beautiful eyes that seemed to understand Hawk was trying to help him. “I’m going to get you inside the cabin,” he announced. Ghost huffed and closed his golden eyes. Hawk smiled as he removed his coat and spread it on the ground. Next, he moved Ghost as gently as he could to rest on top of it. “You’re too big for me to carry. But I think I can pull you. Try not to move too much.”

It took only a few minutes to get Ghost safely inside the cabin and near the crackling fireplace. Hawk added more wood to brighten the darkness, so he could better assess the wounds. Surprisingly, the bleeding had all but stopped, as if the wolf had called upon some magic healing power. Hawk still cleaned the cuts and scratches gently and thoroughly, though, marveling that Ghost allowed it even after Hawk knew there were at least a few times his ministrations had to be painful. After wrapping the worst of the wounds, Hawk sat back. “There. Good as new,” Hawk declared into the quiet of the cabin. Once again Ghost huffed but stayed still.

“Want something to eat? We still got those rabbits you caught cooking over the fire. I suppose it’s what brought the bear.” Ghost whined at that. Hawk chuckled. “Yeah, not the smartest thing I’ve done. Rabbits may be more than well done, too, at this point, but still edible.” Hawk waited as if the wolf would answer. Then, not even receiving a “huff” Hawk rose and headed back outside to grab the skewer of meat. When he returned to the fireplace the wolf had sat up as if he indeed had understood. Hawk smiled as he grabbed a large plate from the kitchen and sat on the floor in front of Ghost, setting the steaming rabbits on the plate to cool. After a couple of minutes, he tore off a portion of one and handed it to Ghost.

Ghost gazed at him with what could only be thankfulness in those eyes. He cocked his head, then nosed the meat back at Hawk as if saying Hawk needed to take the first bite. In wonder, Hawk did just that. He bit off a morsel into his mouth then once again held the piece toward the wolf. This time Ghost took it, gently, from Hawk’s hand, gulping it down, as Hank pulled another portion of the meat from the skewer. With every piece Hawk took, he offered another to the wolf. Finally, full and content, Hawk gave the rest over to the wolf.

“I’m full. Thank you for providing the meal. Thank you, also, for sharing it with me.”

The wolf glanced up at Hawk and damn, if there wasn’t that smile again.

THE DOOR KEEPER out today

OUT TODAY

BLURB:

Nick thought he was too old to find love.But Arrain barged in making it clear he doesn't care what Nick thinks. He wants Nick. Period.

The Minneapolis/Saint Paul 77th police precinct has been labeled as a group of misfits. It's unfair. In reality, they have loads of talent. Paranormal talent. Except, of course, no one knows that. Their job? Chasing and capturing all those creepy crawly things that go bump – or worse – in the night, and sending them back to their realms. In other words, they keep the people of the city safe and totally unaware that doors to other realms even exist.

Nick, their boss, is the keeper of those cosmic openings. He is the only one who can find, open, shut, and more importantly, seal other-worldly realm doors, preferably with its scary and sometimes homicidal inhabitants on the other side. Vicious hungry monsters waiting for Nick to mess up. 

Or for an opening Nick misses.

From a single tear comes an unspeakable horror. A dangerous vampire. Ferociously brutal, he is a killing machine. A creature so lethal it will take Nick’s entire team and absolutely all their power to hunt him down to send him back. And the last thing Nick needs is another partner. Especially one as sexy as Arrain. 

But Arrain intends on being more to Nick than just a partner. Much more. Something Nick cannot allow. Not with the devastating secrets he harbors.

Except Arrain has a few secrets of his own and one thing he knows. Nick is next on the vampire’s list. The handsome monster wants not only to seduce the talented Door Keeper, but to suck his power right out of him. Can Arrain make Nick trust him in time to save him?  

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