Monday, February 27, 2017

New Release & Review!!! Safe With Me, Baby-- Fiona Davenport!!!


Safe with Me, Baby
Fiona Davenport
(Elle Christensen & Rochelle Paige)
Goodreads
*A Yeah, Baby Novella*
     
BUY IT NOW FOR 99 CENTS!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

*Available on Kindle Unlimited*


BLURB:
Guy Rule: No sleeping with your employee.

It only took one night for Xander Gray to know he’d found the woman he wanted to call his own. When she shows up in his office the next morning, after a night of endless passion, it complicates things. But, Xander is even more determined to have her.

Calista Lewis has always lived for the job, but she’s ready to take a different path in life. Working for Gray Security seems like the perfect answer, especially after she meets a man who makes her realize she wants more— with him. Finding out he’s her new boss is devastating, but she knows mixing business with pleasure is a bad idea.

Xander’s refusal to let her go makes it hard to walk away, especially after they discover she might be pregnant with his baby.

Warning: A kickass heroine (Literally. She can kick anyone’s ass.). A tough, tattooed, nipple-pierced, hero with a soft side. This book is badass, with a side of steamy, and a little sweet love for dessert! And babies! After all, it’s a Yeah, Baby novella!




REVIEW
Okay, how often is it that you get a heroine that is just as tough as the hero? Well, in this case- you do!! Because, brace yourselves folks- Calista is one kick butt, take names kinda gal. She can go twelve rounds with the toughest of the tough, and probably come out on top. Which is just the kind of woman that someone like Xander needed.
I know that I may have said it before, but the team of Fiona Davenport most definitely took the right step in teaming up, because these two ladies can certainly right an amazing book! Plenty of romance, heat, and did I mention (at least for this series)- babies galore? Who doesn't love babies?? Every couple in this series gets their own little surprise somewhere along the way, much to the sheer and utter delight of the alpha male in each book.
Xander and Calista are quite simply- perfection on paper (or a Kindle screen in my case). They were perfectly paired, perfectly written, and the right dose of everything that I personally look for in a romance story. I can't say anything bad about this one. And I can't wait to get more!!
5 stars~~



EXCERPT
Moving my arms into position and bending my legs, I motioned him forward with a wave of my fingers. As he stepped towards me, I forced myself to view him as an opponent while I went into combat mode. I held my position, waiting for him to strike first, kicking out at his left leg as I side-stepped his first punch. Swiveling on the balls of my feet, I quickly turned and aimed a hit at his kidney, but he was ready for me and blocked it. He followed it up with a quick jab to my stomach, and air burst past my lips involuntarily. Then he moved in close, tossing me onto the mat hard. As quickly as I could, I flipped up and back onto my feet.
From what I’d seen so far, he was as incredible as he claimed to be and he wasn’t holding much back. It was an odd time for it, but knowing he was giving it everything he had made me grin even as I kicked up at his middle, bending low right after I connected to attempt a sweep of his legs. He anticipated my move, sending me to the ground again using my momentum against me.
Scrambling up, I ripped my blouse over my head. It was restricting my movements, just like his shirt would have, and it also gave me a slight advantage for that brief moment when he couldn’t resist staring at my breasts wrapped in the lacy pink bra I’d picked out while thinking of him. It was all the time I needed to jump in the air, landing a flying kick with both legs to his chest. I followed him down to the mat, intending to land on top of him with my arm against his throat. I must have given it away somehow, because he quickly rolled me underneath him and pinned me to the mat with both arms above my head and my legs held down by his powerful thighs. 
“Concede,” he breathed into my ear as I struggled beneath him.
“You’re good.” It was all I was willing to give at the moment, even though he’d won fair and square. A small part of me couldn’t help but wonder if I’d fought as hard as I could, or if I’d held back because I really did want to work for him, even if it complicated things.
“I’ll show you just how fucking good I am.”
We went from fight to fuck mode in a blink of an eye. He tore my pants down my legs while I ripped the zipper down on his to free his cock from its constraints. His fingers slid up my thigh, going straight for my pussy and he groaned when he found how wet I was. Wrapping my hand around his cock, I gave him a couple of quick strokes. “I want you inside me. Now.”




OTHER BOOKS BY FIONA DAVENPORT
**All books available on Kindle Unlimited**

RISQUE CONTRACTS SERIES

Penalty Clause
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/1ZI2Smn
Amazon UK → http://amzn.to/1QgsHnK

Contingency Plan
Amazon US →http://amzn.to/1JGrAfZ
Amazon UK →http://amzn.to/1QtFe5p

Fraternization Rule
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/20d6J62
Amazon UK →http://amzn.to/1PmjFkO

Risqué Contracts Series Box Set
Penalty Clause, Contingency Plan & Fraternization Rule
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/1s3UxLj
Amazon UK → http://amzn.to/1UDKbNL

YEAH, BABY SERIES

Baby, You’re Mine
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/1QAdlMt
Amazon UK → http://amzn.to/21nHSic

Baby Steps
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/1MgzAQo
Amazon UK → http://amzn.to/21ilEfB

Baby, Don’t Go
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/1RuMqiB
Amazon UK → http://amzn.to/1T58ItJ

Yeah, Baby Series Box Set
Baby, You’re Mine, Baby Steps & Baby, Don't Go
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/23ydEIF
Amazon UK → http://amzn.to/1WRAqLc

Dance With Me, Baby
A Yeah, Baby Novella
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/2b0ztRo
Amazon UK → http://amzn.to/2aAedDi

I’m Yours, Baby
A Yeah, Baby Novella
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/2b5tZR4
Amazon UK → http://amzn.to/2bjShcr

Brief Me, Baby
A Yeah, Baby Novella
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/2cIkuNk
Amazon UK → http://amzn.to/2crG2v9

Play With Me, Baby
A Yeah, Baby Novella
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/2l07kiw
Amazon UK → http://amzn.to/2kqytr8

SEX & VOWS SERIES

Until Death Do We Part
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/1V86dHZ
Amazon UK → http://amzn.to/1TNGUZe

For You, I Will
Amazon US ® http://amzn.to/2ejhJiP
Amazon UK ® http://amzn.to/2ehMQdj

Mafia Ties Series
Nic & Anna's Story

Deception
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/1TewzIQ
Amazon UK → http://amzn.to/1TewiFY

Danger
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/1TMhImd
Amazon UK → http://amzn.to/1TewoND

Devotion
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/1TMhImd
Amazon UK → http://amzn.to/1TewoND

Nic & Anna Box Set
US → http://amzn.to/2d5R0Iv
UK → http://amzn.to/2d3yeSf

Mafia Ties
Brandon & Carly's Story

Pursuit
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/296c1Qz
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/29dAsuy

Power
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/29nWMT7
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/29zJ2GS

Passion
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/29QYAqc
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/29DfOBK
Brandon & Carly Box Set
US → http://amzn.to/2iLR3cg
UK → http://amzn.to/2izJOVc


STANDALONE

My Father’s Best Friend
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/2eK8Ayt
Amazon UK → http://amzn.to/2eK6Sgr

Not So Temporarily Married
Amazon US → http://amzn.to/2g4m8sC
Amazon UK → http://amzn.to/2gxR2rz

My Step-Dad’s Brother
US → http://amzn.to/2jPj6s2
UK → http://amzn.to/2hx4FK4


ABOUT FIONA DAVENPORT
    
Hello! My name is Fiona Davenport and I'm a smutoholic. I've been reading raunchy romance novels since... well, forever and a day ago it seems. And now I get to write sexy stories and share them with others who are like me and enjoy their books on the steamier side. Fiona Davenport is my super-secret alias, which is kind of awesome since I've always wanted one.
AUTHOR LINKS:
Facebook │ Twitter │ Pinterest │ Instagram │ Goodreads
     
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Friday, February 24, 2017

New Release & Review!!! Beard Mode-- Lani Lynn Vale!!!


Title: Beard Mode
Series: The Dixie Wardens Rejects MC Series #1
Genre: MC Romance
Release Date: February 23, 2017
Cover Model: David Byers
Photographer: Michael Stokes





Aaron don’t ever call me Fatbaby’ Sims is lucky to be alive. Or at least that is what everyone keeps telling him. He doesn’t feel lucky, though.
He’s scarred, has more than a little bit of a bad attitude, and there isn’t a single day that goes by that he doesn’t wish his wife would’ve just finished off the job.
After being denied his old position at the fire department, he leaves, and doesn’t look back. He heads straight to Alabama and into the semi-welcoming arms of The Dixie Wardens MC. There he becomes a part of a brotherhood that forces him to get back in the land of the living.
---
Imogen is a smart girl. A girl who doesn’t always make the best decisions.
Her heart is in the right place when she walks into that prison, but it doesn’t take long for her to realize that her heart shouldn’t have had any say so in the matter. Especially when one wrong move lands her in the arms of a scarred man that looks frightening enough to scare any sane woman away.
Immediately enthralled by the angry man, she tries to get closer to him. But the harder she tries to get to know him, the further he pushes her away.
---
The only thing Aaron wanted to do after his now ex-wife was sent to jail was escape. Escape the awful memories. The pity-filled eyes. The curious glances.
He does a damn fine job at ensuring he draws as little as attention as possible, but then that annoying woman with her startling blue eyes starts hammering away at his resolve. Makes him feel when he doesn’t want to feel.
Imogen comes into his life and carves out a place for herself, obliterating his defenses one heated kiss at a time.
It doesn’t take long, and he realizes he’s in deep. Too deep to ever want to come out.
Imogen will know what it’s like to be loved by a reject.








MY REVIEW OF BEARD MODE:
Lani Lynn Vale- woman, what are you doing to me?? I swear you are turning me into some kind of fiend!! Every since I discovered this woman's books, I have been hooked on her words. I mean, this was my first one of her MC books- yeah, I do things a little backwards I know, but holy smokes, can she write an MC novel!! Aaron is HOT!! Well, every one of the brothers are- but Aaron- yeah. 
Let's just say that the fact that these brothers are men in uniform as well, only heightens their hotness quotient, by about a thousand percent. And given that Aaron is dual trained as a fireman and police officer- well, stick a fork in me. New panties needed!!
Imogen- okay, this chick- she needs a damn medal. First off, she was in the freaking Marines! I mean, hello Hannah- not a lot of women can say that for themselves, I know I can't. So that girl demands respect right off the bat for that. Secondly- she has stepped in as a surrogate mom to her nephew (total brat in the beginning), while his mother is also off fighting the good fight during her own tour. The woman should just about be sainted!! No wonder Aaron fell for her so hard!!
Now, regardless of how hard these two fall for each other, and I promise you, it's hard- it doesn't come without it's fair share of trials and tribulations. And there are some doozies. Heartbreaking ones, that are going to rip your heart out, and the tears stream- especially, if like me, you have someone you love in uniform. But, Aaron and Imogen, with the help of the Dixie Wardens overcome it all, and come out beautifully, if not a little beat up, on the other side. It's damn beautiful if you ask me. And a great freaking book. One you don't wanna pass up. 
5 stars!!




“Lani Lynn Vale has a way of taking your soul and twisting it and tearing it up, but then somehow, some way making sure that the book still makes you have a goofy freaking happy smile, and all in love with her by the end of it.” - MJ’s Book Blog and Reviews
 
“It was sooo good and I am sooo excited that this was my first Lani Lynn Vale book...gasp....can you believe I have not read one of her books yet??” - iScream Books
“Don’t think about it, just go one click this book and you’ll enjoy it like, I did. One thing about this author is she keeps getting better every time. You will never be disappointed about it, I promise.” - Fabulous Ladies Book Blog

Aaron and Imogen, a playlist by Lani Lynn Vale on Spotify




“New guy.”  Someone muttered behind me.
I turned only my head to find Stone, the president, staring at me with hard eyes.
“Yeah?” I asked him, dropping my bag on the floor and heading in his direction instead of out the door like I’d originally intended.
“You’re here because you have a special set of skills that we need.”  The leader of the band of misfits, Stone, drawled.
I nearly laughed.
“That sounds like a bad line out of a movie.” I muttered, wondering where he was going with this.
He tossed me a glare and then yelled.
“Truth!”  Stone yelled.  “Ghost! Get the fuck in here!”
Ghost and Truth walked in the door at the same time, both of them turning to the side to walk inside, and stared at Stone
“Ghost, hold Truth down so New Guy can give him the fuckin’ shot.” Stone grumbled.
Ghost tackled Truth and wrestled him to the desk, then sat on him while Stone leaned back and watched.
“No, motherfucker!” Truth yelled.  “I don’t want it!”
“It’s the fuckin’ flu shot, you dumb shit.  Not a fuckin’ tracking device. Take a fuckin’ chill pill.”  Stone grumbled, staring at the scuffle that was going down in front of him.
I picked up the syringe from the table, similar to the one I’d given everybody else’s flu shot with, and stabbed it in the meat of Truth’s arm.
Truth bellowed in rage, and I flipped the guard up on the syringe before tossing it into the trash can.
“Done?” I asked Stone.  “I have to get to work.”
Stone nodded.
“Yeah, thanks.” He nodded. “Have fun at the nut house.”
I grunted something unintelligible, causing him to laugh.
“Don’t sound so excited.” He laughed.
I flipped him off and walked out the door just as Ghost was letting Truth up
“Why you gotta be such a big motherfucker?”  Truth growled.  “If you’d been anyone else, I’d have gotten away.”
“Why do you think I called Ghost instead of anyone else?”  I heard Stone reply.












I’m a married mother of three. My kids are all under 5, so I can assure you that they are a handful. I’ve been with my paramedic husband now for ten years, and we’ve produced three offspring that are nothing like us. I live in the greatest state in the world, Texas.
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New Release Reminder!!! Scars and Tats-- Kristi Pelton!!!






Title: Scars and Tats
Author: Kristi Pelton
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 21, 2017
Blurb

Scars are tattoos with better stories…

A scarred, lonely woman
A curious little boy
One uninvited, tattooed guest
A nasty blizzard
One cabin
Two guns
A set of handcuffs

What could possibly go wrong?

Mela McKinley fled with her infant son and disappeared four years ago trying to heal the awful scars inside and out. Taking refuge in the mountains of Colorado, not one person had come near their secluded doorstep… though she was prepared for a fight.

In the middle of a historic blizzard, little Beck points out the window to a figure approaching in the snow. After hiding Beck…and fully armed, Mela confronts Jackson Winslow and has zero reservations about shooting him, if necessary.

Ultimately, saving him from the forces of nature, she takes the uninvited stranger prisoner in her home holding the upper hand. While cautiously tending to him, she realizes how much she has missed a man—though this scarred and tattooed man is not who he seems. Once he has invaded her thoughts in a delicious way, her guard is down and suddenly, the tables are turned and now…it’s his turn.

What she doesn’t know is who he really is and what he brings to her doorstep.








Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU





Trailer




Excerpt

If only it were still Christmas, I thought, in awe of the amount of snow that had fallen through the morning hours this spring. Beck in his newly four-year-old way pressed his forehead against the floor-to-ceiling window, watching in wonder as his breath formed a pillow of condensation that quickly disappeared. Over and over again.

The teakettle whistled, and I fingered through his hair as I walked past.

“Momma. Snow.”

I laughed. “Yes, buddy. Lots of snow.”

The whistle of the kettle faded when I pulled it from the heat, pouring Beck a hot chocolate and me my tea. The two ice cubes in his mug began to melt instantly.

“Momma, Layne.”

Stirring honey into my tea, I put one more ice cube in his cup and carried the miniature marshmallows over to him.

“No, buddy. We won’t see Layne today,” I explained, sitting on the sofa in front of the fire, which needed wood.

“Layne is right there,” he said, tapping the window.

A sudden chill shuddered up my spine as the hair on the back of my neck stood. In slow motion, my eyes moved to where Beck pointed. The figure stood a hundred yards away, thigh deep in snow. My heart began to pound. The pack on his back showed over his shoulders. I watched through the glass as the steps he tried to take led him in the direction of the cabin.

Sitting my mug on the end table, a jolt of panic shot through me but was quickly calmed by a wave of courage—of confidence.

“Beck. Come here. Now.” My words were terse, and he immediately padded over to me.

“What’s wrong, Mommy?”

“Sweetheart, I don’t know who this is, and my job is what?”

“To protect me?” he asked.

“Yes.” I nodded. “To protect you. Always.”

He smiled.

“Go. Go now to your cubbyhole. You know where your food is. You know where the water bottles are. You don’t come out until Mommy comes to get you.”

“Or Layne!” he shouted.

“Yes. Or Layne. But you and Layne have a code word and no one else knows that word. So don’t come out unless you hear that word. Got it?” Tears started to sting my eyes, but I fought with every ounce of my being not let them win.

“Yes. Go now?”

“Yep! Go now, buddy. I love you.”

“I love you more!” he yelled as he ran to his hiding spot.

The moment he was gone from my view, I turned my sights on our visitor. Thank God the snow was causing him to struggle. I unhinged the loaded shotgun from the back of the front door, then retrieved the forty-caliber from behind the coffee mugs. Both guns were pumped and cocked with the chambers full in a matter of seconds. Without a coat, I stepped out onto the porch.

“Turn around right now and go back the way you came. Follow your tracks!” I yelled.

He stopped, held his hands out to the side and swayed a bit in the wind. “I need help.” His voice was muffled from the scarf covering his mouth.

“You won’t find that here. Move along,” I shouted, then tucked the pistol into my pants. Raising the shotgun to my shoulder, I nestled it tight, resting my cheek against the cold steel while I sighted him down the barrel. The pistol would be a better choice—but the shotgun may have more effect. Rock’s mom had taught me well.

“Please,” he said weakly, swaying again.

I watched as the snow cascaded. There was no wind.

“Mister. I’m warning you now. Don’t come closer.”

After another strenuous step in the near three-foot-deep snow, he stumbled backward—falling. He lay there for a minute. Hurriedly, I seized the opportunity to grab the binoculars—Beck’s toy, plastic ones, but they worked nonetheless.

Bursts of steam puffed from his mouth straight into the air. One hand rose weakly, then collapsed back down, disappearing into the powdery snow. Through the scratched-up binoculars, I watched as he mustered up enough energy to heave himself upright. Still sitting, he pulled the scarf away from his mouth exposing red, swollen lips. Quickly, I lowered the binoculars, taking him in more thoroughly. His shoes and legs were hidden in the snow. Chunks of snow clung to the North Face jacket he wore. His eyes were heavy…thick lids blinked deliberately and sluggishly.

Snow fell so heavily…a thin blanket covered him in the minute I stood frozen. Making a hasty decision, I dashed into the house once again and grabbed the handcuffs Rock’s mom had given me. From the time I darted inside to when I got back out, he hadn’t moved. Just inside the door, I clicked my snowshoes in place and threw my coat on. The pistol tucked tightly into my waistband, handcuffs in my coat pocket, and ski poles in hand…I began my trek toward him.

When I purchased the snowshoes, I had no real intention of wearing them too terribly much but they’d been on my feet more than I thought they would. Our unwanted visitor was still on his back with little to no movement. His breaths were visible in the puffs of steam in the air.

“Please don’t shoot me,” he begged albeit weakly.

“Why are you here?”

“I got caught in the storm.”

Frozen snot trailed over his upper lip.

“Why were you out here? I mean to begin with. What brought you here? There’re no trails this way.” My demanding questions spewed out quickly.

The puffs of air turned to short raspy pants.

“Lost. I…just…wanted—to get lost.”

I didn’t believe him. Anger consumed me as my hand trembled when I reached to touch him. Be strong always. The second my fingertips brushed his fiery skin; I sucked in a quick breath. He was burning up. Fever. Damn it!

Instantly, I turned around hoofing it back to the cabin and yanked Becks sled out of the corner of the front porch. Within a minute, I was back at his side. A low groan slid up his throat as I lifted him by the shoulders and scooted his upper body onto the sled. After I’d boosted his legs over, I began the trek back to the cabin remembering Beck was still in hiding. My quads and glutes burned from the haul.

Once I pulled him to the porch clearing the steps, I took a minute to breathe. Thank God, I’d trained enough to be able to heave his ass up there. He seemed to have lost consciousness at some point because as I cuffed him, he didn’t flinch. It wasn’t until I’d lugged him inside next to the fire that I exposed his hands—finding bluish tinted fingers. Instinctively, I blew on them as if they were Beck’s little fingers and I’d done that a hundred times when he’d gotten cold. How could this man’s fingers be so cold yet he was burning up with fever?

I tossed his gloves near the fire so they could dry out and warm up. The sooner I could get him out of here, the better. His fingers were swollen.

I hustled toward the hideout. “Beck!” I shouted with a whisper. “WOD. It’s ok. Come here. Mommy needs your help.”

When I pulled off the man’s stocking cap, I was captivated for a moment by his face. Though his cheeks appeared sunken in and dark rings circled his eyes, he was a beautifully, rugged man. His thick brows matched the overgrown beard. The tip of his nose was shiny and bright.

“Mommy. Who is that?”

Directing my attention toward Beck, I gave him a serious look.

“This man is sick. I need you to get me two of your cereal bowls of warm water. Not hot, ok?”

He nodded eagerly, and I watched him grab his stool and heave it into the kitchen. I felt awful keeping the man handcuffed, but I couldn’t take a chance with someone I didn’t know. I heard the water running in the kitchen and, in this moment, I was proud of the way I’d raised Beck. He needed to be independent if necessary—even if at barely four years old.

Hustling to the medicine cabinet in the bathroom, I grabbed the lip butter and the ibuprofen. I darted to the kitchen and snagged a bottle of water from the fridge.

“How’s it going?”

“Good,” Beck said, walking slowly trying not to spill any water from his miniature cereal bowls—his tiny hands could barely manage.

We met near the visitor. I took the bowls from Beck.

“Nice job, buddy. Thank you.”

When Beck knelt next to him, my heart skipped a beat. Gripping Beck’s shoulders, I shook him just enough to keep his attention and for him to realize I meant business.

“We don’t know him, Beck. You must keep your distance from him. Deal?”

He nodded, backing up. “Pickle,” he whispered.

I shook my head. “You are so silly. It’s dill not deal.”

My beautiful son smiled, then found a seat on the sofa.

Kneeling next to the stranger, I balanced the bowls of water on his thighs, and then rested his fingers in the water. I tipped his head, angling his neck so his face pointed toward the ceiling. I attempted to pour some of the water through his parted lips. He instantly sputtered and choked—liquid coming back out, but thankfully his eyes opened.

“Mister,” I said.

His glossy eyes tried to focus.

“I need you to swallow this.” I kept his head upright, dropped three ibuprofen into his mouth and then tipped the bottle to his lips. When I saw his Adam’s apple jut out and back in, I knew he’d swallowed them. That was a start.

“Mommy. What’s his name?” Beck asked from the sofa.

His jeans were wet. Jeans? How ill prepared was this idiot for the storm? After I moved the bowls of water, I unfastened his jeans and began tugging them off. The elastic band of his underwear read Armani. Perfect…wealthy and dumb.

I fought looking at his crotch but the damn trunks hugged him tightly, and honestly, there was no ignoring the relaxed bulge. Once I had his jeans off, I laid them out in front of the fire, adding more wood, and then covered his lower half with a quilt. Out of sight, out of mind. And I certainly didn’t need Beck asking questions.

His lips were in pretty bad condition so I slathered a thick layer of the lip butter over them. His lower lip was full…plump. Jesus… narcolepsy really wasn’t my thing. But, hey, he was only unconscious not dead

“Mommy. What’s his name?”

“I’m sorry, Beck. I don’t know. Hold on a sec.”

I reached for his jeans, and, sure enough, the back pocket held a wallet. When I opened it, a Colorado driver’s license lay behind a thin piece of plastic.

“His name is Jackson,” I announced. “Jackson Winslow,” I whispered beneath my breath and stole a long glance at our bearded stranger.

For the first time, I noticed his hair was longer on one side. This man…this stranger was stunningly handsome. Ruggedly beautiful. I shook my head trying to erase any desire. It had been so long since I had felt the touch of a man. Yet, this man could have been sent here to find us…to hurt us…to take Beck. He was off limits.

Night was falling and the moon cast a beautiful reflection off the three-foot blanket of snow. Beck and I played checkers at the kitchen table. The flickering light of the fireplace flung shadows over the walls. Our stranger seemed to be resting peacefully.

Even though I felt bad for him being cuffed, my sole purpose for living sat across from me, and I had to do whatever was necessary to protect him.

“Buddy. Want to sleep in the hideout?”

Beck’s eyes about bulged out of his head.

“Can I?”

I stood up. “Yep. Let’s get you in there and situated.”

Beck hopped out of his chair, dashing up to his room. There wasn’t anything that could make me smile bigger than witnessing his enthusiasm for life. The boy was a spitting image of his father. Most days that was good.

There was no way of knowing or even speculating what the night could hold…so I told Beck he could come out if he needed.

Once he was hunkered down under his covers, inside his tent, with his night light on…I closed the door. I hustled to my bathroom, brushed my teeth, washed my face, threw on my comfy sweats to sleep in, then grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge before I stared blankly at the heap of man on my living room floor.

When my eyes finally adjusted to the glow from the fireplace, I noticed Jackson twitching. As I crept closer, I saw he wasn’t twitching; his body shook with tremors. Instinctively, the back of my fingers felt his forehead. Wow. He was burning up. Again.

Immediately, I ran to the kitchen, wetting a rag with cold water. Back in the living room, his eyes shot wide as the cold material made contact with his skin.

A small groan echoed up his throat, but as fast as his eyes opened, they closed. Without thinking, I yanked all the covers off of his body. I hated the ignorance of the—smother the fever philosophy. His body needed to cool down…quickly. Leaving him uncovered and with the cloth on his forehead, I got another bottle of water and snatched both the ibuprofen and the thermometer from the cupboard.

When I slid the digital thermometer between his lips, I realized some of the redness was gone. The lip butter was helping. Once again, his eyes opened. For the briefest of moments, our eyes met before his closed again.

At 104, the thermometer stopped blinking.

“Wow,” I whispered out loud, turning the cloth on his forehead to the cooler side.

“Wow,” he moaned or ow, I’m not sure which, but it caused me to sit back a bit, distancing myself. “Aaah.”

My stranger seemed delirious. The fever. It had to be the fever.

“Jackson. I need you to swallow these.” I lifted his head and slid my folded legs beneath him. I dropped four capsules in his mouth, then as gently as possible, I slapped his cheek…his beard was rough to my fingers, but regardless, his eyes opened.

I tipped the cold bottle of water to his lips. “Swallow,” I demanded, and he did. And once again, our eyes connected. Even though I stared down at him, and he was upside down to me, the force of whatever passed between us triggered me to drop his head and jerk away.

What the living hell? Did I know him? My left hand trembled as I set the water bottle next to him. Not that he could drink it. Both his hands were bound by metal. The clock read 10:15. The fever should be down within an hour. I’d check on him them. Other than that, I wanted nothing to do with him.

Sitting on the sofa, my eyes flickered back and forth between the fire and him. I heard Layne’s words in my ear. Information is good. Always find out what you can. I uncovered and picked up Jackson’s wallet from where I left it earlier.

Colorado drivers license. His picture was perfect. Who’s drivers license pic looked that good? Thirty-one years old. Six foot two. One hundred ninety pounds. Blue eyes. Organ donor. Ian was an organ donor and I had no idea if his organs were donated. If he was living inside someone else…

This man had no pictures of girls, family, kids, no pictures at all.

One Visa card.

One American Express card.

And some sort of ID. His picture—he looked younger but still strikingly handsome. United States Attorney. This man was an attorney. My mind raced in a thousand directions. I dropped his wallet at my feet. What brought this attorney in our direction? I couldn’t help but wonder if he came intentionally to my cabin or if this was some kind of fluke. But, if this man was looking for a fight…a war…he came to the right doorstep. I was ready.





Author Bio

Just the fact that someone may be reading my ‘bio’ thrills me. What does one say in an author bio? Well, I LOVE to write! Sometimes characters talk to me in my head (in a non-psychotic way) and I have to get what they are saying out on paper! So, here we are! 😊

I am a part-time juvenile probation officer and full time wife…but I spend the majority of the time helping my two favorite sons (only 2) navigate through life and hopefully become the best humans they can be.

I am a huge fan of the Kansas Jayhawks, the Oregon Ducks and the 2016 World Series Champs—the Chicago Cubs! (I have a dog named Wrigley)

I’m terribly addicted to music—ALLLLL kinds and driving in the car with the sunroof open and radio turned up helps the creative juices flow.

I am deliciously addicted to queso, Dr. Pepper, and cupcakes; but even with all that…I like to slowly kill my body with Crossfit.

People ask me ‘what has been your favorite book to write’—I would have to say my original series. (I think it sold 100 copies) 😊 Someday…I may have to tweak them a bit because my heart was poured into those books—but they need help! Slick was my Amazon best seller…but every one of them mean something to me.

In the end, I truly believe life is taken way too seriously by most…I say enjoy every moment, have an adult beverage and READ!! Cheers….



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