Paranormal Romance Book Tour & Giveaway: Velicious by Shelique Lize 12/29/14 – 1/26/15

Velicious

by Shelique Lize 

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Thriller
Free with Kindle Unlimited

Blurb:
Justice Morel always had her life perfectly planned. Her goals were to graduate from the University with exceptional grades and get into the best law school Canada has to offer.
Then one day, Justice tried to kill herself. Well, not her technically. It may have been Justice Morel’s body, but those actions weren’t intentional and the suicidal thoughts were not hers. Or, so she keeps telling her therapist and family.
Justice is afraid she’s losing her mind and just wants to forget everything. But when her best friend is murdered, another one is being mind-screwed by a Vampyre, and her ex is back in town, looking as scrumptious as ever and very suspicious, maybe she isn’t all that crazy!
Just when she thinks that life couldn’t throw her anymore curve balls, Justice figures out that she is Vampyre Doll and there’s a vampyre who seems very familiar to her, but she can’t figure out from where.
Justice is suffocating and drowning in a dark world she’s been tossed into, forced to survive. It’s a world she never wanted to know about and would love to ignore, like it doesn’t exist. But, with every passing day, she’s pulled deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole, wishing for everything to go back to the way it was.

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Excerpt:

Awakening hot, sweaty and trembling, I sat up erect, utterly distracted by my surroundings, and engrossed with feeling antsy for no particular reason. There was a giddiness building inside of me but yet a darkness loitering.
My fingers mauled over the dewy, bleak cement beneath them and, gaping in confusion, I stared off into the rouge lit darkness to find a dozen thick rusting iron bars standing in front of me, as if condemning me to this small confinement.
Behind me, I knew there were iron shackles built into the stone wall to hold prisoners. To the left and right of where I sat was another set of stone barriers growing muck that I could not see but the musty, tangy odour has not gone unnoticed. I sneezed, realizing that I could sensibly taste the fungus growing and that was new to me; but there was also another scent, so heavenly and sapid that I wanted to bathe myself in the fragrance.
Peering off into the opening, beyond the iron doors was where the rouge lighting was coming from, an opening from high up in the ceiling to allow some light in for the captives and/or a torturing device—however you want to look at it.
These dingy cells had no windows but the red glow outside reminded me of blood, mostly because of the essence that enraptured my physical, and for a short while I entertained my exhilarated self with the thought that the red glow was a pool of blood. How delightful that would be.
Nevertheless, rouge lighting? Isn’t that quaint? I wondered, feeling my hair rising on my nape, arms, legs, everywhere in which hair resides pulsing through vivacity, so intense and pure, my fingers curled into fists giving it no outlet.
My vision began to darken; I felt myself slipping and I stood up hastily which made it worse because I fell right into the hands of wooziness, stumbling into the sleety iron bars, cursing.
The cursing was followed promptly by bitter laughter as I mulled over my own situation, grasping the irony of where I was and knowing that I was most likely being punished because of her. My thoughts lingered on her swarthy pale brown face, her soft, supple lips and defiant dark brown eyes.
Zachariah will kill her for sure for my one slip, my one weakness, and gripping the bars tightly I laughed aloud with lucidity clinging to my harmony… And that’s when I heard her—Amelia.
“Who’s there?” her voice so shaken and quiet. I felt the need to go to her, and figure out why she sounded so distressed. However the main question at hand was why is Amelia down here?
Slowly, against the implacable force of zeal pulsing through every vein, muscle and artery, the essence of what works in-sync to keep a being like me going was all elevated and the ethereal smell still idled. My fangs extended then, automatically, like her voice were a fang charmer, and I followed impulsively, thinking about blood.
Blood, blood and more blood. I thought of biting Amelia, monstrously, tearing through her flesh and veins, reaping blood. All that was running through my mind was the red substance, it was taking over and, for the first time in a long time, I was scared.
Amelia repeated her question as I walked past the iron bars, narrowing my sudden burst of hunger on her gaunt face, under the red moonlight from above. Amelia’s curly hair swallowed her petite face as she took a step back; her dress wrapped around her legs sparingly, moving closer to the shade of obscurity.
“Dante…” Amelia said my name, quivering as her brown eyes studied who was before her in fear and confusion. Her thoughts tried to make sense of the monster before her and questions populated her mind.
Amelia’s heartbeats increased, breaths shortened and her eyes widened with definite fear as her brows pulled tightly together; she shook her head nimbly. She whispered, “So the rumours are true…” Her scent engulfed me like a tornado and I knew I didn’t want the darkness to take over, so I fought and another flash of dizziness came at me, my vision blurring, and I knew it wanted Amelia.

Buy Links:

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About the Author:
I’m just a stay at home mother, who has finally found the courage to share her crazy paranormal universe with the world. I enjoy reading, obviously writing. Proud Canadian. Inspirational quotes keeps me positive. I’m an amateur photographer. Movie holic. Lactose intolerant but loves cheese pizza. Vampires and things of a sort I adore. Shopping is my therapy and I’m an Aries.

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Giveaway:

Enter to win one of three $20 Amazon gift cards on the Velicious tour and giveaway! Open worldwide,

this giveaway will run 12/29/14 – 1/26/15. 

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Desert Star By Lisette Brodey Book Tour

Paranormal Erotica Book Tour & Giveaway: Until Death Do Us Part by James Fuller 12/2/14-12/30/14

Until Death Do Us Part

by James Fuller

Genres: Paranormal Erotica

Blurb:

What was supposed to be a lustful night of passion and sinful, sexual thrill turned bloody in a way he could never have imagined, revealing a predator that plagued the night and feasted on the living…

Fuelled by the bleakest of hope and the haunting images of the past, Conner cleaves a path of retribution through the midnight world of vampires; dangling his morals and life in the balance to retain what little he has left of his former self, praying each step will bring him closer to finding ‘her’ and the one that took everything from him…

Excerpt:

Conner sat in a dimly lit corner of the small, run-down hotel room, the old and faded, seventies floral-papered walls casting shadows across his rugged, unshaven features. He inhaled deeply from his cigarette and for a moment, the sensation of warm, flavoured smoke rolling down into his lungs was all he cared about – all else ceased to be for that briefest instant of time. He wished that moment could last forever, but it wouldn’t. He placed the cigarette in the grimy, glass ashtray on the cheap, scratched up pinewood table beside him and exhaled two streams of thick smoke from his nostrils.

The wooden chair made a creaking noise, as his weight shifted back and he pulled a worn photograph from his coat pocket. He stared down at it for a long time, lost in a better place. His fingers slowly ran over the creases and torn edges that had marred it. It was the last good picture he had left and he knew he should have it framed and keep it safe from the damage it would be forced to endure on his person, but he couldn’t – he needed it close to him.

He returned the picture and glanced over at the two naked women in bed – their slender, tanned bodies still sleek with the sweat of lovemaking. He chided himself with a shake of his head – no, he would not try and fool himself, what they had done had not been ‘lovemaking’ – it had been sex, plain and simple. An act of lustful desires with a hidden purpose on both sides, yet he would not deny the pleasure he had taken from it.

He closed his eyes, taking another drag off his cigarette as flashes of their eager, firm bodies against his ran rampant through his mind; their exploring hands caressing not only the hardness of his body but the voluptuous curves of each other’s, willing to discover all the pleasures that could be had. He could still feel their hungry mouths upon him; silken lips tasting every forbidden place and trying to find more.

Buy Links:

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About the Author:

I am a 31 year old male, born in Canada BC, husband and father, and have been writing since I was about 14. But only seriously for the last 4 years. I write fantasy, dark fiction, horror, dark erotica and paranormal erotica. I pride myself on creating detailed visual worlds and plots that aren’t of the norm that will draw a reader in and leaving it impossible for them to know what happens next until it does. I create characters that are real, that have faults and flaws and make mistakes. I also pride myself on creating real ending not fairy tale ending. (I suck at bio’s about myself)

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Giveaway:

Enter to win one of three $40 Amazon gift cards.

This giveaway is open to residents worldwide

and is available for entry 12/2/14-12/30/14.

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Aftermath by Sandy Goldsworthy Book Blitz

Aftermath

(The AfterWorld Saga)

By  Sandy Goldsworthy

Published day: December 2nd, 2014

Publisher: Clean Teen Publishing

Page Count: 361

Genre: Paranormal Romance Action Adventure

Content Warning: Adult language, violence, and sexual content

Age Recommendation: 14+

Synopsis:

After losing her father, Emma Bennett moves to her aunt’s small town of Westport to finish out her senior year of high school. Emma wants to forget the pain and loss of the past few weeks, finding relief in the company of Ben Parker—a local boy who she has an instant attraction and uncanny connection with. When Ben seems a little too preoccupied with other responsibilities and has no time for her, Emma turns to the town’s hottest flirt—Lucas Crandon—for affection. Unfortunately, she realizes a little too late that, sometimes, bad boys really can be bad for you.

Life as an undercover agent for the Afterworld’s Bureau of Investigation isn’t an easy job. When Ben Parker finds his soul mate, Emma, in a small town, he finds himself forced to choose between doing his job or rekindling a relationship with the love of his existence. After Ben is notified that a notorious immortal is loose somewhere near Westport, he realizes that his love life will just have to wait. There is a criminal to apprehend before he can have his girl.

When lives are at stake and immortals are on the loose, can two soul mates find their happy ever after?

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Ben’s First Day of High School

In all the years I spent undercover, I was never a high school student.

Hey, you structured this cover. Molly’s voice rang in my head, as I followed the flow of annoying adolescents in the hallways of Westport High. You could have waited to meet Emma when she was in college, or working her first job. Instead, you decided seventeen was the right age to introduce yourself.

It wasn’t her age. I timed it in the aftermath of her dad’s transition, I responded in defense. I took a seat near the window in calculus. It was my first period of the first day of school.

Yes, yes, whatever! You dragged me along into this assignment, she muttered. And I’m not any happier than you are, sitting through the secondary education system.

You volunteered, I rebutted. Remember? ‘I could use a bit of down time, Commander’. I mimicked her meeting with our leader when I came up with the idea several years earlier.

Molly sighed in defeat. I acknowledged Drew Davis. He took the seat behind me. Mr. Vieth called us to attention. Molly was greeted by her Spanish teacher in another classroom.

Are you two done bickering? Pete Jorgenson’s voice interrupted Vieth’s roll call.

We don’t bicker, Molly replied.

Jorgenson knew better. As our handler, he was privy to every thought, comment, action, even feeling, our human disguises encountered on earth. It was part of our contract, succumbing to the tether, the bond between our world and an agent on assignment. It was an invisible leash that allowed him to keep tabs on our whereabouts at all times.

Right. And you were Mother Theresa in your last life, too, Jorgenson joked.

Ever since the pioneer field agent Victor Nicklas went rogue over a century ago, the tether was required. It didn’t bother me.

Good luck in your senior year of high school. Jorgenson’s chuckle echoed in my mind as Vieth called my name. I raised my hand, acknowledging my attendance.

Thanks.

And, stay out of trouble this time, Jorgenson curtly added. I don’t particularly like explaining your stupidity to the commander. It makes me look bad.

The First Time Emma Sees Ben

I barely noticed the guy in front of us before, but took a look at him while the bronze girl continued flirting. From the side view, I agreed he was attractive. He stood several inches taller than Matt did, but seemed to carry himself with more confidence. When he smiled, his eyes squinted and his jaw tightened. It was a masculine look I never saw on Matt or any other boys at my school. It was a more mature look, like a grin on a man, not a boy, and I guessed he was probably much older than I was.

He couldn’t be from here, I thought.

I didn’t realize I was staring at him until he turned and looked at me. Heat crept up my neck, and I focused on the sand around my feet. My heart began to race. He was much more attractive than I originally thought. He wasn’t cute like the boys at school. He was handsome like the Prince Charming I dreamed of when I was little. Like the fantasy characters in all of those sappy Disney stories Mom used to read to me.

When I felt normal again, I glanced back at Prince Charming. He wore a white T-shirt with the sleeves cutoff and the seams torn at the side. As he filled out the form on the clipboard and his left arm moved, I caught a glimpse of his tanned chest. I felt like a middle-schooler staring.

The bronze girl perched herself in front of him. Her elbows rested on the counter with her chin sitting in her hands. I could tell she was talking to him, but her voice was low, so I couldn’t hear what she said. I wondered what Prince Charming thought of the brunette, as he pushed the clipboard back to her. Then, an instant later, he glanced in my direction.

Busted again.

The same tingling I felt earlier, returned. I caught my breath and stared at my feet, pushing sand around, hoping my face wouldn’t redden. How ridiculous. He was clearly older than I was and staying at the hotel. He obviously wasn’t from around here, so the odds of me ever seeing him again were slim. The idea lessened my embarrassment. I focused on my surroundings, on anything to avoid looking at him. I stared at the sign hanging on the building listing the ten rules of the lake, and I wondered if anyone ever read them.

“Hey man… sorry for the delay,” a deep voice spoke, jolting me from my daydream. I looked up. Prince Charming was talking to Matt. “Paperwork.” He tilted his head toward the open window as if in further explanation. The brunette was no longer in view.

“No problem.” Matt shrugged.

Don’t look at Prince Charming, I told myself. But I wanted to. My eyes were drawn to him like a magnet to metal. I wanted to look, but when Matt leaned toward me and his upper arm gently touched my shoulder, I snapped back to reality.

I felt like a kid again.

Ben Sees Emma at Lake Bell

Sand crept between my toes, as I stood waiting to rent a Jet Ski.

It was my first official day undercover as Ben Parker. Normally, I was a confident person. Molly called me arrogant at times.

I was never nervous, until now.

Seeing Emma brought back all those insecurities I left behind in adolescence, when I was still alive. I stood at the counter, waiting for the brunette to get approval for my rental. I was under eighteen she told me when I handed her the paperwork and my undercover driver’s license. If only she knew how old I really was. I could have convinced her to release the Jet Ski without the hassle of paperwork, but with Emma standing behind me in line, I was in no rush.

Of course, Brinn, as her name tag clearly read, wanted to stall my application as long as possible. She took her time making the call to my fake aunt, Marty McMann, who worked in the office. Minutes passed as Brinn moved slowly. Her thoughts of me were initially flattering while she hovered, as I completed the form. But after a few overdramatic eye gestures and fake giggles, I had enough and blocked out her thoughts. Besides, they interfered with eavesdropping.

Emma and Matt talked about meaningless stuff while I waited for my rental. How long are you staying? When are you moving? Are you coming back to Highland Park? Topics that made Emma immediately tense up. I felt her pain, as she mentally relived the notification at school and the days that followed. I glanced at her as she tried wiping away her tears before Matt noticed them.

Stupid punk. He didn’t even realize the impact his words had on her.

I turned to face him, locking my eyes with his. I knew what I was doing. He stood paralyzed, his eyes focused and unblinking. I could manipulate him any way I wanted to right now. The power I had as an immortal was far greater than any human could imagine.

I wanted to kill him for hurting her. For being with her. I had the ability.

No one would know.

A simple heart attack or accidental drowning all came to mind, as I held him in my mental grip. I never did anything like that before. My phone buzzed in my pocket, but I ignored it. I never killed anyone for no reason, or without just cause.

But I could.

And part of me wanted to. I wanted to protect Emma and that meant eliminating anything or anyone that hurt her. Getting rid of anyone that stood in my way of protecting her, even if the pain she felt was unintentional.

Ben-ja-min! I heard her screech my name in my head before her hip bumped into mine. “Hey neighbor. Renting a Jet Ski?” Molly said aloud. Her thoughts were less bubbly as she yelled in her British accent, Exactly what the bloody hell are you doing?

My focus was lost, and Matt was released from my stare. I turned to look at Molly.

You can’t possibly think compulsion is the answer, she said firmly.

“I’m just waiting for the paperwork right now, Molly,” I said, pretending we weren’t having a private mental discussion. I wasn’t going to hurt him.

You wanted to. You thought about it.

But I didn’t.

Didn’t your reprimand for that compulsion teach you anything? She was referring to my borrowing of Officer Scott Michaels’ squad car the day Emma learned her father died.

What reprimand?

You’re kidding, right? I thought Commander E would have you doing community service by now. After all, you left that garage manager in a compelled state for hours.

Molly, he was fine. I shook my head.

Yes, but your spell didn’t wear off as quickly as you guessed it would, Benjamin. You overdid it. Your emotions are running on steroids right now, and you need to tone it down.

I looked over at Emma and realized Matt was holding her in his arms. Maybe my subtle thoughts helped push him along. Or, maybe he isn’t so bad after all. Molly’s thoughts crept in. At least Emma felt better. I could sense that.

Marty waved at Molly and me, as she entered the rental office and signed the papers Brinn had waiting for her. “Want to go for a spin?” I asked Molly.

“Maybe later,” she said aloud. Join me first?

I shrugged, waiting to hear what she was talking about.

We need to resuscitate a young boy that is about to choke on a pecan in his turtle sundae at the ice cream shop by the marina. Poor clerk. Some young lady new to the job… Didn’t get her CPR certification yet. Perhaps this will light a fire under her ass, as they say.

I raised an eyebrow.

Come with me. It’ll be rewarding. She smiled, her gray eyes convincing.

Brinn’s expression turned to disappointment as she handed over the key to the Jet Ski.

Fine. But you’re buying ice cream.

Deal.

Ben’s Apology to Emma

I smelled him before I saw or heard him.

It was a cool and fresh scent, like crisp air I imagined breathing in atop the highest mountain. I turned when I heard Ben’s deep, pleasant voice. He was just inches from me, the closest I had ever been near him. He leaned around the door of my locker with his masculine hand holding the top edge like a shield, separating him from me. His fingernails were perfectly oval and neatly trimmed.

My heart skipped a beat when our eyes met. A gentle smirk flashed across his face.

“Aren’t you supposed to have tons of pictures taped up in your locker?” Ben asked after he swung my locker door open wide and peered inside.

I looked away briefly, trying to contain my smile. My heart skipped again with the realization that he was talking to me, and not to someone else. “I guess I didn’t get around to it yet.”

The hall was quiet, with only a few kids at the other end. We were basically alone.

“I thought you’d have pictures of your boyfriend posted. Matt, is it?” he asked. “I mean, what would he think if he knew you didn’t have his picture plastered up for all of us to see?”

My lips betrayed me, and I grinned. “Um… Matt’s not my boyfriend.” I grabbed my books without looking at him. I was afraid I’d blush.

“Oh.” He hesitated for a second and then continued. “Well, I just wanted to apologize for the other night.”

I glanced up at him.

“I was out of line. You’re free to drink as much as you want. I shouldn’t have said anything… It’s none of my business.”

I stared into his cocoa-brown eyes and reached to close my locker door, but he didn’t move. My fingertips grazed his shirt, and I imagined a rippled stomach underneath. He always looked nice. His deep red shirt complimented his tan skin and dark brown hair. I wanted to touch him, but quickly cleared my thoughts.

We were just friends, if that.

“Thanks,” I said, still holding the door. I felt the blood rush to my face. My stomach felt a little queasy.

“Can we start over?” He extended his hand. I reached for it and nodded.

“Friends.” His grip was firm, yet comfortable, like a good fit. I couldn’t deny how attracted I was to him. I never felt this way about Matt and especially not about Lucas. My cheeks had to be fuchsia. Get control of yourself, I thought.

He smiled, still holding my hand in his.

“So did you finish the homework for calc?” he asked after letting go of my hand.

“Yeah… and you?”

“Pretty easy.”

“I thought so, too.”

He glanced behind me, and then said, “You going to the library for study hall today?”

“Yeah, I’ll be there.”

“Good. See you later,” he said and left.

Would he really ask if he just wanted to be friends? 

About the Author

Sandy Goldsworthy was born and raised in a small Wisconsin town. Her passion for writing began when her high school English teacher inspired her to be more descriptive in her work. Today, Sandy is writing the second book of Emma and Ben’s story. When she’s not writing, Sandy enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike, and two children, Brittany and Kyle, or playing with her English Mastiff, Miles.

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Stargazer by Sunniva Dee book blitz

Stargazer 

by Sunniva Dee  

(Halos #2)  

Publication date: November 2014
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal

Synopsis:

I’m Luna, and I’ve been in the Twilight Zone since I moved in with my sister and her boyfriend.

I sense their secrets in every corner of the house.

Gabriel is eerily beautiful, and his personality disturbingly perfect, while Gaia’s inexplicable PTSD and mood swings bounce her between bliss and despair.

Until Gabriel’s brothers pay a visit.

Cassiel…

He’s the night to his brother’s day. He’s sex personified and the devil in one hell of a stunning package. It’s been years since I last saw him, but this man makes me burn. He hooks me with his touch. Enthralls me with those oddly simmering eyes. He pierces my soul with his knowing smirks, and I am losing myself in him.

Ka…

With pearlescent hair and spring green eyes, he crashes into my world. I thought this crazy, beautiful man could mend my bleeding heart. Make things recognizable again—normal. Instead he pulls me from the embers and feeds me to the open fire.

College life. Is this what everyone goes trough?

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STARGAZER Excerpts

At the hospital, the older nurse I liked, the one with the tight, gray hair bun, opened. Her sweet grin was contagious.

“Luna! Come on in. Kakabel can’t wait to show you his new room.”

His door didn’t have a slit to peek through. The nurse playfully motioned for me to sneak in.

Kakabel was leaning on the windowsill, and I tiptoed over to him. With elbows resting on the ledge, he stared at something outside. I loved how relaxed he seemed.

A window washer stood on a small platform hanging opposite us. I frowned as the man shook and dropped the squeegee he held. His hands staggered to his abdomen, then to his throat. I pivoted and ran back into the hallway.

Gray Bun’s eyes widened from the nurses’ station.

“The window cleaner,” I puffed, “he’s having some kind of episode.” The sudden rush of adrenaline made me sound winded. She barked out a “Thanks” before bustling off.

Ka didn’t react when I banged the door open and rushed back into his room. He was resting his cheek into a palm while he studied the man fighting for his life.

“Ka?” I put an arm around his waist and inched closer. “What are you doing?”

His lips curved up imperceptibly. In front of us, the worker crumpled on the platform, his face contorting in a silent scream, and Ka sighed…happily?

Holy shit!

“Ka!”

He turned his head, eyes lingering on the scene outside. At last, his attention drifted to me. “Hey, beautiful,” he murmured so sweetly.

He’d been worried before. Pained. He’d burned with want for me. But I’d never seen this strange sort of relief smoothing his features.

His mouth pulled up in a tiny, delighted smile. What shocked the hell out of me, though, were his eyes.

Sure, eyes shifted between all shades of colors in his family, but the iridescent green of Ka’s irises wasn’t what bothered me. Now, they burst with something more. Something else.

Ka—sweet, crazy Ka—was he emanating…evil? No, this couldn’t be. My knees buckled, and he caught me before I hit the floor. Dizzy, I tried to avoid his stare. A swift glance out the window revealed white-coated staff being lowered on another miniature platform. The washer was standing now, shaking his head as if clearing it.

“Are you okay, Moon Child?” Ka purred, planting soft kisses down my neck. When I pulled away and met his gaze again, all I could read was concern.

“What were you doing?” I asked.

“I was strangling him a little,” he said, a chuckle escaping against my skin.

I rolled my eyes. Of course. How stupid of me.

Disappointed, horrified, shocked. I raced home on my bicycle. One thing was that he’d cheated, freaking slept with someone else—it was beyond words. But what about Margo’s reaction? She’d fought tooth and nail for Ka’s attention. Her fixation was the final trigger to questions I’d bottled up for too long. Now, my mind hopped around clutching puzzle pieces and needing to fit them together.

What if Kakabel isn’t making anything up?

A stab of anxiety made my stomach hurt as I listed off the evidence.

Vicky and I always talked about how “out of this world” beautiful these brothers were. Their pull with girls was straight out abnormal—even guys went all misty-eyed on them. Fast and agile, they all moved like wild animals. In my peripheral vision, Gabriel and Cassiel appeared to shimmer…even though they didn’t whenever I stared right at them. Their irises fluctuated in a range of colors I’d never witnessed on people.

I leaned my bike against the porch and sank down on the step. Needing to calm the fear, I covered my face and breathed into my hands.

You’ve got to keep your feet on the ground!

A soft, furry cheek stroked the back of my hand. It was as if Zeebs wanted to comfort me. I peeked out between my fingers and met his yellow stare. All relaxed, he seemed so sure of everything.

I giggled out a short breath: talk about going haywire, here.

Angels, if they existed at all, would don giant, white wings and white robes. They wouldn’t be super-hot guys slouching about in wife beaters or Levi’s, and they definitely wouldn’t be jonesing for girls. Not to mention knocking up people’s sisters! I laughed out loud.

Yeah, angels wouldn’t get mad and swear up a storm. Beat the hell out of each other and get themselves locked up in the mad house. I wiped an eye, curbing a fit of hysterical laughter.

I’d been through so much over the last months. Anyone could short-circuit under this kind of pressure. I was strong, though, and a couple of sexy dudes weren’t going to make me snap.

I rested my elbows on the handrail of the gallery and scoured the main floor. Dozens of barstools held hot women, none of which I wanted.

A handful of men occupied some chairs too, eyes roving over passing girls and heads bobbing to the beat. What was with the indecision? Weren’t they—quote, unquote—on the prowl?

I snorted.

The fog pushed out in spurts from pipes along the baseboards. It crept around people’s feet, providing the much ooohed-over smoke effect of the establishment. The way it swayed under the glass tiles of the dance floor was almost impressive.

Violet spotlights faded behind the endless bar counter, leaving the crystal bottles and glasses on the shelves to glitter like glacier snow against the mirrors. Personally, I preferred a more, let’s say, sizzling look.

Kakabel was a goddamn traffic light in his white clothes. Not that dark threads would’ve helped; shimmer or not, with his snowy skin and hair reflecting the light, Ka was easily recognizable.

He leaned into the counter, tête-à-tête with the bartender. She handed him a rum and Coke. Ka flicked out a bill—probably acquired from Luna—but the bartender wagged a finger coquettishly, puckering up for a smooch instead.

Dude sure as hellfire didn’t hesitate. He bent over and grabbed her face, surprising her by shoving his tongue into her mouth. She had no complaints. Dropping the dishtowel, she clamped around his neck and pulled him in.

Damn, they kissed for a while. Several minutes? I studied them. Ka might fling the “girlfriend” word around all day, but he had no idea what it meant. How the fuck had Luna bought into his scam?

If this were all it took to be “girlfriend-boyfriend,” my existence would’ve been easy. I’d have been at home with Luna, and she would never have visited this clown at the hospital. Exclusivity. My chest vibrated and not from the music.

 “Goddamn it, Kakabel.”

I’d dropped Policewoman off at her apartment and erased her memories. Blue thumbprints had dotted her mouth. With cheeks glowing from the aftereffects, she’d dozed off in a foggy bliss. Now, I was back home, ready to destroy.

My idiot relative had brewed coffee. He sent me a quick glance over his shoulder and shrugged while he mixed in sugar. “She was nice.”

Hell no.

“Ka. I don’t even know what to say to you. I can’t fucking fix you. It’s absolutely…”

This bozo had demolished my mojo. What was I supposed to do? I’d loved my freedom, my existence, and not having a conscience.

With Kakabel around, everything changed. He messed with Luna. How could anyone mess with Luna?

I snatched his mug and hurled it high against the wall, bullet-style. It evaporated into a mist that rained down over us.

Kakabel’s eyes brightened with surprise. “Dude!”

Could anything be more annoying than his ignorance? I’d become a babysitter, but I sure as hellfire didn’t need more reminders of it.

“Luna’s too good for you,” I said, my chest burning. Everything was his fault. If he hadn’t been around, I’d still be me.

Ka scratched his head, looking insanely special. Yofiel-special. As in abnormally beautiful, even for an angel.

“Why?” he asked, blinking.

“I can’t believe I’m spelling this out for you, Kakabel: you’re screwing around. Not being loyal. Sleeping with other females. Cheating on the best girl you’ll ever—”

FUCK!

My vision blurred, and I didn’t wait for his response. I caught his giant freaking eyes doubling in size before I smashed his face in, grabbed the jerk by the collar, and flew off with him.

Oh yes, the Shades Run mountain chain was a wonderful place to beat the shit out of assholes you couldn’t destroy. Away from prying eyes.

“Cassiel,” he groaned between strikes, “Luna didn’t come home with me.”

“And thank God for that,” I growled, crushing bone.

“The other one did.”

I laughed, not slowing down on the blows to his head. Ka’s hair dripped crimson red over his eyebrows. It streamed into his eyes between the hits. “Police Girl was my lay, Ka.”

“You didn’t want her.”

“I never asked for a mindreading.”

Kakabel spat out something red and large. His heart, maybe, if he had one. When he started giggling, I was done.

“Do you like females, Cassiel?” he forced out.

Yep, time for the big guns. I sparked off a lightning bolt, mixing it with Gabriel’s favorite, the lava-molten geyser spray. Always a winner if the goal was to reduce an enemy to a shuddering pile.

This fool’s quakes came from laughter, though. “What the hell’s your problem, Kakabel?”

“You want my girlfriend,” he wheezed out. Thankfully, his face was taking on a gelatinous consistency; I’d give my soul to have it remain that way. From inside the lava heap, his skin sizzled and deformed him, but he still managed a smile.

“Never mind your opinions,” I snarled. “Here’s the deal.”

“You always talk about ‘deals,’” he snickered through a whimper. “Only I don’t like them, remember?”

“Shut up, dickhead!”

 He was a Fallen, a bad boy, and everything in between. I’d tried. God knew I’d tried to keep them apart, but these kids were freaking magnets. Plus, how could I object with the way he fought for her? Not that I’d have a say.

A wall of tranquility hit us when we entered the house. I caught a quick glimpse of aqua blue as Gabriel surveyed my mood over his shoulder. The door slammed shut behind us, and the peace he’d saturated the air with instantly infused every pore.

Cassiel’s eyes, a slow-floating gold, edged over Luna’s placid expression, her still limbs. Carefully, he eased her onto the coach and leaned her against the backrest.

“Sweetness,” he said, his tone so different from anything I’d ever heard him use before. “Rest now, okay? I’ll take you home soon.”

My sister smiled, unconcerned with the struggle happening only yards away, and Cassiel swung around to focus on his brothers.

“So waves of serenity, huh? Do they work on him?” The flight must have done Cassiel good. No trace of fury or lack of control, remained. Now, he studied Kakabel with the levelheaded scrutiny of a scientist.

“Somewhat,” Gabriel puffed while pushing Ka into a kitchen corner.

Drunk on a luxurious sort of harmony, I flopped down on a barstool. It never ceased to surprise me how all worries disappeared in this state. With only the breakfast bar between us, the view was excellent.

“Well, time to beat him into a pulp,” Cassiel declared, rubbing his hands together. “Pass him on.”

“No, Cassiel. Michael is coming tomorrow. We’ve got less than twenty-four hours.”

“To do what? Fix his ass? All he’s done is create chaos.” Cassiel broke into one of his trademark derisive laughs. “Unless you made some stupid promise to Michael?”

Gabriel kept Ka shackled to the wall with an arm. A bruise forming on Ka’s cheekbone did nothing to mar his beauty.

“Don’t be silly,” Gabriel retorted. “We need him manageable. He’s over the top again.”

I’d say.

He shot Cassiel a glance. “I thought you were the self-proclaimed police here, dedicated to keeping us all under the Celestial radar. What happened?”

“Cassiel lost his head to love,” I slurred, grinning, and caught the ghost of a smirk from Gabriel.

“Because he loooves me,” Luna sang from her relaxed position on the couch.

“Dude, turn down the serenity, will you? The girls are—”

“Just concentrate, Cassiel!” Gabriel’s voice was a whip, contrasting with the sensation he provided.

“My baby’s bossy,” I giggled. “Better listen.”

How could I lose him in seconds? My eyes darted, hunting desperately around me.

“Luna, are you okay?” Gaia’s voice buzzed at my ear, disturbing me. The blood pounded in my head, making it difficult to think.

Where is he?

Customers pressed in along the never-ending bar to the furthest bend. None of them was Cassiel.

“Luna?” Vicky shouted.

“Who’s she looking for? Ka?” Vicky yelled to Gaia when I didn’t reply.

“I’m going to the restroom,” I managed, and Gaia stroked my arm.

“Easy, Luna. Relax.”

She was telling me that. At the moment, I couldn’t dwell on the absurdity of the situation. Her stare followed me as I stalked in the opposite direction of the bathrooms.

Spotlights sliced through the dancers. I pressed against sweaty bodies for a shortcut to the front door.

Has he left already?

Frustrated, I squirmed, trying to squeeze between a couple rubbing back to back. They didn’t budge.

Crap!

The exit beckoned in the distance. No one was letting me through, and heat and budding panic dampened my forehead. Yeah, I’d chosen the wrong path.

“Excuse me!” At the core of the dance floor, my voice thickened to cotton when I tried again. “Let me pass.”

I choked on the hot air. A chunky dude lowered in a shimmy, revealing Ka’s mane against the darkness from the street outside.

My boyfriend was beyond beautiful. Ka threw his head back and laughed to someone, hair sparkling surreally and teeth gleaming like pearls. The ease of Ka’s moves surpassed any Bolshoi dancer’s.

I peered past him.

Nothing. My thoughts spun out of control, making no sense, so I drowned them.

Please. Please-please!

This must be how my sister felt. I was going crazy. Another disgusting gulp of air shot down my throat to my lungs.

Ah, there.

There he was. I’d recognize his shape anywhere. The silky hair gleaming blue under the lasers. The shape of his shoulders, the regal posture barely sloped into a hunter’s pose.

The glow—always the glow. How could his skin glow? I was nuts.

Cassiel had chosen a dark corner of the dance floor. My mouth went dry as I narrowed in. Was he hiding from me? Anger flushed away the panic as I pushed closer.

He rocked his body to the music, hips swaying to the beat. Droplets moved down his throat, shining—glittering. I wanted to lick them off.

He broke into a gorgeous smile, and my heart shrunk. One of those stunning blondes with fairy bodies and big boobs wiggled in front of him.

Torture.

Her arms snaked up, curled around his neck, making Cassiel’s eyes sparkle with approval.

No!

Sex on the Beach projectiled from my glass. It hit Fairy Girl’s face in a single, messy splash. Not so cute now, was she, all wet and dirty?

Her expression contorted, makeup running through the whimper she let out.

There was no room on the dance floor. The glass slipped out of my hand and shattered when it hit the ground, but I was beyond caring.

I wedged in between them and shoved into Cassiel’s body. He lost balance, taking a step back. Fairy Girl lifted her hands in a “What the hell” gesture, and I hissed—just hissed—and watched her back away from my—

“Cassiel! Don’t you dare…”

…touch someone else.

…look at someone else.

I smothered the words. Slammed my palms into his chest and pushed against him.

AUTHOR BIO

I write New Adult fiction with a paranormal twist and don’t shy away from romance and heart-wrenching passion when necessary.

I moved from Norway to the United States in 2001, and the first awesome five years I spent in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles. Then I read “The Book,” aka Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which spurred my husband and me to move cross country to beautiful Savannah, Georgia.

I’m currently on my seventh year in the Deep South, where I enjoy the heat and the humidity. Besides writing, I spend my time with our “petting zoo” as in an opinionated parrot, a herd of cats that are experts on keyboard shortcuts, and puppies that…uh, bark.

I hold a Master’s degree in languages, with concentrations within literature and linguistics. I taught at college level for a decade before settling in as a graduate adviser at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Writing is my passion, my joy, and my addiction. When I’m not writing, I read.
Shattering Halos is my debut novel, and its standalone sequel, Stargazer, is due out later this year.

Author links:

• http://www.sunnivadee.com/
• https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7191170.Sunniva_Dee
• https://twitter.com/SunnivaD
• https://www.facebook.com/sunniva.dee

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