Shep was the military alpha for a band of brothers sent to control the outside paranormal population. Now they focus their cause on one thing―blending in, in the one place they've helped the military destroy. The para community.
With the General on his heels, and a crazy ex girlfriend close behind, will Shep have the training he needs to elude them both and finally find his mate, or will he soon realize that even in the para community, things aren't always as they appear?
Excerpt
Anya watched, amazed, as his body began to contort. It wasn’t more than a few seconds before his human body sagged to the floor. His arms seemed to shake as he tried to lift himself from the cold, damp stone.
“Are you all right?” Anya asked as she moved to the end of the makeshift bed.
She placed her fingertips on the back of his shoulder. The look he gave her as he slowly began to rise caused her to draw herself back. Holy hell. He might not have been in wolf form anymore, but the animalistic look clouding his face was still there. With the way he was moving toward her, he wasn’t coming over to just say hello.
She placed her fingertips on the back of his shoulder. The look he gave her as he slowly began to rise caused her to draw herself back. Holy hell. He might not have been in wolf form anymore, but the animalistic look clouding his face was still there. With the way he was moving toward her, he wasn’t coming over to just say hello.
“You want me.” His head bent down to the ground as he took in another deep breath. “I can smell it on you.” His eyes lifted and locked with hers. “Come to me, Anya.” Shep’s last words were deeper than the others. Her name came out as if he was calling her through a release.
She became frantic with indecision. Did she run or submit to him? The pull of the moon outside the dark cave had her wanting to give herself to Shep. But should she? Hell, she wanted to. But what then? Would tomorrow come and he’d be the same cold, nasty person she knew lurked behind the wolf façade? Too many questions pummeled her at once.
A hand grasped around her ankle and gently pulled at her. Anya could feel herself sliding down onto her back. She knew she should fight it, but she couldn’t bring herself to stop the curiosity of what he would be like. Did she let the beast in him dominate her like she’d wanted since the first time he licked her neck.
The grip loosened while Shep’s head lowered and trailed the length of her leg. The feel of his hot breath against her moist private area only increased her need to feel him touch her more. An aching pain throbbed in her lower stomach as she waited for him to make some sort of move.
“Shep?” Her voice came out sounding fragile, almost unsure.
“No words tonight, Anya. Just feel.” He spoke to her thigh without breaking his focus on her flesh.
Large hands separated her legs wide while his face lowered. At the first contact of his tongue against her upper, inner thigh, she nearly screamed. Her fingers weaved into his hair, driving him closer to where she wanted him.
“Don’t rush this, darlin’. Let me savor your taste.”
Teeth nibbled higher up her leg until she thought she’d die from the anticipation. A whimpering moan escaped her lips while he sucked her skin into his mouth. He was so close. Just a little more and she’d be in heaven.
Pressure gripped into her hips. His hands clutched to her tightly as he climbed higher. The first brush of his tongue against her slit nearly had her upper body coming off the bedding. Fire erupted through her entire body while he took his time exploring her sensitive area. The scent of him was everywhere, drugging her with every shaky breath she took. Anya buried her face into a piece of torn cloth under her as she tried her best not to scream.
“You have no idea how good you taste.”
Anya turned, reaching for his arms. “Then come up here and show me.”
The corner of his mouth lifted as he gave her the beginnings of a smile. “You want me up there? Are you sure?”
“If I don’t feel you on me soon, I’m going to go crazy.”
Shep’s tongue slid across his lips and Anya lost it. She grasped his biceps trying to pull him more on top of her, when her wrists were suddenly pinned over her head. The adjustment of his hands had him holding them down with the strength of one arm. Just seeing his free hand hover over her chest caused her to arch for contact.
“You want me to touch you here?”
Fingertips traced around the curve of her breast, so nonexistent she wasn’t sure if what she was feeling was actually him or her mind.
“Yes.” The shear desperation in her voice twisted her already tightened stomach.
Shep’s lips parted as he let out a ragged breath. “How about here?”
It felt like air traveled over the flatness of her stomach until it reached the apex of her thighs. Heat rolled off Anya in waves. She’d never wanted anyone as much as she wanted him right now. The need to experience more left her sensitive and yearning.
“Please. No more. I can’t stand the teasing.”
Shep laughed deep in his throat. It took everything in her to fight the heaviness of her eyes from the pleasure. Uncontrollable need made her legs lock around his waist, but she couldn’t budge him.
“I know what you want.”
***
AD: Thanks for joining our blog today. So, tell us: how long have you been writing?
Amanda: I have been writing for a few years but making up stories I’ve been doing my whole life.
Jennifer: I’ve only been writing for about three years. My whole life I’ve been an avid reader. I have no idea why I didn’t attempt to create a story sooner, but I really wish I would have.
Jennifer: I’ve only been writing for about three years. My whole life I’ve been an avid reader. I have no idea why I didn’t attempt to create a story sooner, but I really wish I would have.
AD: How long have you two been writing together?
Amanda: This is our first book together, but we seem to spill the deets on all our works. I just love listening to how her brain works, and I know I can’t wait sometimes to tell her how something turns in my writing.
Jennnifer: That is so true. We are constantly going back and forth on our ideas for up-and-coming books. Amanda has to be one of the most creative people I've ever met.
AD: When and how did you meet?
Amanda: We met on a forum on Goodreads a few years ago and had so much in common that we became friends.
Jennifer: Yep!
AD: You both have individual pieces. What first drew you to writing as a team?
Amanda: This story. I called Jen one morning from work and told her about a dream I had that had to be written. I actually woke up and wrote down the first scene in the book before I left for work. From there, Jen and I couldn’t stop gossiping about our characters. It was like they were friends, and their lives just kept expanding.
Jennifer: Yes! I still remember that morning like yesterday. We couldn’t get enough of talking about the characters. From there, we knew we had something we had to come together and write.
AD: When did you first want to be a writer?
Amanda: Honestly, I never really thought I’d be a writer. I write because I have something to say. When that runs out and my ideas dry up, I don’t want to force it because it’s ‘my job’. I try to stay focused in the now and not look at it as a career but as a gift. I know, sounds a bit corny.
Jennifer: I truly never thought I was good enough to attempt to even try. I was reading a historical novel one day and was obsessed. That’s when someone asked me, why don’t I just try to write one. The question kind of set me aback. After a few days of thinking about it, I had to try. It changed my life, and I haven’t looked back since.
AD: Did you always write romance, or did it take you a while to find your niche?
Amanda: I read as much romance as I can get my hands on, and, come on, who doesn’t love daydreaming about the perfect man? It was only a matter of time before I tried to write my own happily ever after. Romance is the first genre I tried, and though the sub-genres change, I can’t get away from the love stories.
Jennifer: I’ve written nothing but romance since I began but recently starting trying my hand at mystery/thriller. I just love to write and am blessed that I can come up with these great stories and characters.
AD: How long did it take you to write Branded Seductions?
Amanda: From start to publication took us about a year.
Jennifer: Yep!
AD: What was your inspiration for Branded Seductions?
Amanda: Jen living in Texas and me in NY. We both agreed that knowing our locations so well would be a great advantage for our story.
Jennifer: We loved that we could bring so much to the story, a NY flare in the country was perfect.
AD: Is all your work paranormal? What interested you in paranormal romance?
Amanda: No, I write whatever is the loudest in my head. My first novel, The Vessel, was more fantasy. I absolutely love that genre, but I try not to limit myself to one specific area.
Jennifer: Aside from the mystery I’m writing now, all mine (under Jennifer Salaiz and Jennifer May) have been paranormal. I actually just wrote my first contemporary under my penname, Alaska Angelini.
AD: What is your method for writing together?
Amanda: Ha, it was so much fun, between late night calls, texts early in the morning and emails up the wazoo, Jen and I spoke constantly about this story. Right, Jen? LoL
Jennifer: Right! We were constantly in touch. It didn’t matter the time or the day of the week, we were always informing each other on our new thoughts or ideas.
AD: Please describe a typical writing session for you. Is it any different when you are working on a team piece from when you are writing a solo piece?
Amanda: Music is a must, and I like a quiet house. It’s really hard for me to write with the dog barking, cat meowing, and baby crying. I tend to write late at night when there’s no noise but my fingers on the keyboard and my iPod cranking.
Jennifer: For some reason I can’t write that well during the day. My muse stays pretty well hidden until the sun goes down, but once it does reveal itself, my music goes on, and I disappear to another world.
AD: You are both mothers of young babies. How do you find that having a baby has affected your writing time? Have you mastered one-handed typing yet? (I did a fair bit of writing with a nursing baby, and it is a great skill to have.)
Amanda: Haha, oh my, it’s been a huge change in my life, but I love every minute of it. I am now a stay-at-home mom, so I treat writing like my work. I give baby over to the hubby and have the quiet time to create. Jen and I did finish the book before our babies were born, and, thank God, I had her help with the editing since I was on bed-rest during most of the process and couldn’t really keep my eyes open. No one-handed typing for me. I’d have been there forever or forgotten what I wanted to say.
Jennifer: LOL! I actually have experienced the one-handed typing. I am on occasion interrupted and am glad he is so good sitting on my lap as I write.
AD: What projects are you currently working on? When can we expect to see them?
Amanda: I’m still working on the second book in the Kingdom series and expect to have that finished by the end of this year. If all goes well, Jen and I will be starting the second book in the Branded Brotherhood series early next year.
Jennifer: Aside from some anthologies I’m working on for Alaska Angelini, not to mention the new series in the mystery/thriller genre I have coming out under than name, too, I’m also wrapping up some series under Jennifer Salaiz. Whenever Amanda is ready to start on our next story, I’m ready!
AD: What is the most surprising (or interesting) thing about you?
Amanda: That I’m extremely independent. If someone says it can’t be done or it’s too heavy for me, you can bet your sweet bottom I’m going to make it a point to get the job done. I love working with my hands and trying new projects to see what I’m capable of. Since it’s getting cold right now, I’m teaching myself how to crochet. I also love being in school. I take classes sometimes just because I want to know more about the subject. Like for instance, American Sign Language. I can’t wait to teach my son how to sign!
Jennifer: Surprising…hmmm, let’s see. Other than the everyday life, I think people would be most surprised at how many names I’ve gone through since I started writing. Jennifer Salaiz, Jennifer May, Alaska Angelini (that’s the name I plan on using from now on), but who knows? The more I read, the more the different genres beg to be written. Jennifer Bradley (my real name) just might end up having one or two more before it’s over with.
AD: Thanks for joining us, ladies. You two are a riot!
Check out these two at Evernight Publishing. Look them up on Facebook and Facebook, too!
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