When is a Pet Not a Pet?

As anyone who knows me will tell you, I love animals. And over the course of my life I’ve had a fair number of pets—cats, dogs, mice, various types of birds (from chickens to canaries), frogs, lizards, turtles, fish, tarantulas. At one point, in fact, I had almost all of those at once. And when I started writing, my characters all had pets as well.

And then vampires happened.

I don’t know why it is, and it certainly wasn’t intentional on my part, but—for the most part—my vampires have never felt the need for pets. Cookies—yes. Pets—no. Go figure.

But for every rule, there’s an exception. Which is how Liz, one of the vampires in last year’s Going Back to Find You, ends up adopting a pet when she’s befriended by a cat. A very unusual cat.

Because, really, when you think about it, why shouldn’t a paranormal creature have a paranormal pet? 

*****

As they turned away and headed off in their different directions, Jason became aware that Liz was looking unusually pensive. “Everything all right?” he asked.

Liz nodded. “I guess so. This is going to sound silly, but I was hoping I’d see that cat again before we left. I wanted to say good-bye.”

“Cat?” Jason all but stumbled in surprise. “What cat?

“The big tomcat that was hanging around in the park. You probably saw him at some point.”

“That’s entirely possible. What’d he look like?”

Liz shot him a curious glance. “Nothing special. He’s just an ordinary cat. A dark orange tabby with white paws and a big plumed tail and a—”

“A scar behind one ear?”

“That’s the one. I caught him watching us through the skylight Saturday morning. I told him to go away, and now I haven’t seen him since.”

“He did what?” Jason felt himself frowning.

Liz shot him a curious look. “You know you’re being really weird about this, right? He’s just a cat.”

Jason snorted in disbelief. “’Course he is.”

“Anyway, I hope he’s all right.”

“I’m sure he’s fine,” Jason assured her. “Really. I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Well, I don’t know how you’d know something like that. Have you seen him recently?”

“I…You know, it’s just a feeling I have. Trust me.”

“Still, it got me thinking. It might be nice for us to get one.”

“Get one what?”

“A cat. To take with us on our travels.”

“Oh, hell, no.” Jason stared at her in horror. “Are you serious?”

“What’s the matter with you? Don’t you like cats?”

“Sure I do.” It wasn’t cats that bothered him, it was knowing there were things out there that looked like cats—but weren’t. “Can we talk about this later?” Like much, much later.

*****

But, if the cat's not really a cat...is it still a pet? I guess that's something we each have to decide for ourselves. 

Going Back To Find You was part of a group release. Most of my characters also appear in Going For Brook, by Kinsey Holley.  And I borrowed several characters (including the cat) from her. Both books can be read alone, of course, but if you want the full story on the cat, you’d probably want to read them both.

Because even a vampire deserves a second chance.

When Jason Cook boarded the train to San Francisco, he didn’t plan on coming back. He never really thought he’d see Nebraska or Lizbeth Petersen ever again. But when an unexpected turn of events threatens the woman he’d loved and lost, he has no choice but to go back and try to make things right.

Lizbeth never thought she’d see Jason again, either—and she’s not so sure she wants to see him now. Her life’s a mess, but at least it’s her mess. And after a lifetime of other people making decisions for her, she’s looking forward to finally figuring out some things on her own. Besides, Jason already left her once when she needed him. Why should she trust him not to do the same again now?

Warning: This is not a drill. Vampires are invading your favorite, small Nebraska town this Halloween. Does this mean Type-O flavored booze will soon be the new rage in Sapphire Falls? Hopefully, it won’t come to that. But you never can tell…

 Available at Amazon

He can’t live with her, he can’t leave without her...

Brook Lyall's parents passed away four years ago. They were happy in Sapphire Falls, but because they, and Brook, were…different, they didn’t let her spend much time with kids her age. Grown-up Brook is enjoying the friendships she’s formed with Hope Bennett, Peyton Wells, Delaney Bennett, and others. She loves Sapphire Falls and doesn’t want to leave.

Aiken Kavanagh came to Sapphire Falls from Silicon Valley right before the car wreck that claimed Brook’s parents’ lives. Charlie Lyall was one of Aiken’s closest friends. They went back a long way—a very, very long way. Aiken promised Charlie he’d stick around Sapphire Falls until Brook was ready to leave.

Because she has to leave. She’s only got a few more years before people start asking questions she can’t answer.

Available at Amazon

If You Could Be Any Animal…

Best in Show releases today. It’s the story of a mystery writer who adopts a big ginger tabby from the animal shelter, only to discover his new pet is actually a man, cursed to be a cat during daylight hours.  It’s cute and funny and has a little mystery wrapped around a sweet love story. Or the beginning of a love story. I have more adventures planned for Julian and Mac! 

While writing this story, I thought about what other sorts of shifters I’d like to introduce to my world and this led to wondering what sorts of animals I’d like to be. This isn’t as frivolous a question as it might seem. If no one had ever wished to fly like a bird, we may not have aircraft. If no one had ever wished to see the bottom of the ocean, we would not have a vast array of equipment designed to help us explore the deep. Granted, human ingenuity has yet to meet a border it does not want to cross—but if it were simply that, people wouldn’t still be experimenting with flapping wings and gliders. We wouldn’t wear fins and sleek suits in the water. We wouldn’t have entire organisations devoted to the love of animals—from Furries to animal rights activists to scientists who believe jellyfish hold the key to regenerating lost limbs.

Of course, borrowing ideas from the animal kingdom is quite different to actually wanting to be an animal—which I think the majority of us have thought about, even briefly. Who hasn’t looked at a cat curled upon a bedspread and thought ah, to be able to nap all day! I certainly have. I’ve even stated out loud (because I’m weird) my intention to mimic one of my cats one day. All day. To eat when he does, play when he does, and nap right beside him. After counting the actual number of hours Jack sleeps, however, I figured I’d get pretty bored before the morning was out. Also, I don’t particularly want to eat kibble.

One of my favourite shows when I was growing up was Man from Atlantis. The summer of 1977 was spent with my legs pinned together, body undulating furiously beneath the water, as I attempted to adopt his swimming style.

The majority of the Tarzan movies were made before I was born, but that has never interfered with my fascination for the “ape man”. It’s a wonderful story, and one that requires an entire blog post on its own. (Some day!) But the idea of having lived with the animals, of being able to communicate with them, appeals. His was not a gentle existence, but perhaps until his “rescue”, more simple.

I have flying dreams all the time and they’re a definite favourite. I flap and soar, and the feeling of cutting through the air is awesome!

I’ve thought about being a horse or a zebra or a big cat, a cheetah because they can run fast, or maybe a leopard simply because they are beautiful. The structure of wolf society fascinates me. Who knows what the dolphins are actually thinking. Snakes seem to do a lot of lying about in the sun. Octopi can hold eight different snacks at once. Elephants are magnificent. Turtles live for a long, long time.

But if pressed, I think I’d still choose a cat. I really do like napping, and I think having someone stroke my back would feel pretty awesome. I’d also want to be adopted and cared for by someone who enjoyed my company. Who spoke to me, fed me something other than kibble and invited me to cuddle with them at night.

What would you be?

You can read an excerpt of Best in Show here, and the first chapter here. Follow the rest of my release tour for other excerpts, a recipe, a magical playlist and more—and don’t forget to enter my giveaway for a chance to win two of my backlist titles from Dreamspinner Press and a $25 store credit.

Best in Show

Solitary mystery writer Julian Wilkes doesn’t want a pet, but his sister persuades him to visit Lingwood Animal Rescue, where he is immediately taken with a large ginger tabby cat. Before he can settle into the joys of cat ownership, however, he discovers something very unusual about his new companion.

Macavity Birch is cursed. By day he is a large tabby cat. At night he can be himself—a human male with ginger hair and oddly yellow eyes. He didn’t mean to end up in the animal rescue, but he never meant any harm when playing the prank that resulted in his curse, either. Happily, Julian adopts him. But while exploring his host’s home, he discovers the diary of a long-dead relative.

Unfortunately, not all of Mac’s ancestors are dead and buried. His great-great-great-grandmother is very much alive, and she’s a powerful witch who doesn’t take kindly to the sharing of family secrets. When Mac reveals himself to Julian in order to save him from bigger trouble, he achieves just the opposite, plunging Julian deeper into a magical mystery with him.

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | ARe | Dreamspinner Press

About Kelly

If aliens ever do land on Earth, Kelly will not be prepared, despite having read over a hundred stories of the apocalypse. Still, she will pack her precious books into a box and carry them with her as she strives to survive. It’s what bibliophiles do.

Kelly is the author of a number of novels, novellas and short stories, including the Chaos Station series, co-written with Jenn Burke. A lot of what she writes is speculative in nature, but sometimes it’s just about a guy losing his socks and/or burning dinner. Because life isn’t all conquering aliens and mountain peaks. Sometimes finding a happy ever after is all the adventure we need.

Connect with Kelly: Twitter | Facebook | Website

October? Eek!

 

Growing up I never made much of a fuss over Halloween, other than the obvious grab for goodies – being in Montreal, Canada made a difference as well. There was many a Halloween where my costume had to fit over a snowsuit, sort of dampening the thrill of being dressed up. Although I made a great bunny. Trust me on that.

As I got older I was never the popular girl that got invited to the parties so Halloween became a sort of "sit on the porch and give out treats" event.

Then I discovered horror films. Or, to be more precise, my younger sister discovered them and began watching them, renting them, waving them in my face for movie nights.

Eek!

I'm not talking about the old Hammer films, of which my hubby has copies of and adores – I'm talking about the slasher, gory flicks that dominated most of my youth. And while I could work in a hospital and go home to toss out a bloodstained shirt without even trying to save it I couldn't sit through a slasher movie for love or money.

And to this day it's like that. I just need to SEE a promo for "Walking Dead" to be tormented by nightmares and end up thrashing the poor hubby who ends up sleeping with his hands over his family jewels in case I knee him in the middle of a bad dream.

I can sit through the old Hammer films (usually on TCM!) during this month but I run from the room when other channels bring up the horror flicks such as Saw and all the gore. I know it's all special effects but it just hits me badly for some reason.

So, unlike most people, I cringe when I turn the calendar page and see October. To me it's a horrible month, a month when I scour the television listings like I'm searching for secret lottery numbers to make sure I avoid as much as possible.

So here's my question for you, dear reader… Is there any season/holiday you don't like and/or try to avoid? Is it Valentine's Day with the overinflated emphasis on LUV for you single guys and gals? Is it New Year's Eve with the screeching about resolutions that are going to be broken within the first week? What holiday sends you screeching from the room?

 

(and did I forget to mention my new book comes out at the end of the month!)

 

Battle Scars

Book four of Blood of the Pride

P.I. Rebecca Desjardin is surprised when two seemingly unrelated missing-teen cases land in her lap on the same day. Her cat-shifter instincts tell her there's more to the story, and when she uncovers a bitter feud between the two families, she suspects Romeo and Juliet runaways. She turns to her lover, Brandon Hanover, a man who knows the underground better than most.
Brandon is determined to help the woman he loves outwit ruthless enforcers and bring two missing kids to safety, but when a woman from his past resurfaces he finds himself caught between two worlds once again.
As the claws come out and the war between the shifter families turns deadly, the two will have to stand together or fall separately--and even that might not be enough to save them.

 

Something Old, Something New...

It's one of those fun times for authors when events collide in a glorious smash-up of events... so let me share them with you!

First, I'm pleased to announce the release on September 3rd of the print release of "Heroes Lost and Found", the third and last book in the "Blaze of Glory" trilogy!

Some will rise, others will fall…

Jo Tanis is still recovering from her near-death experience in Las Vegas when she receives a mysterious postcard from Harris Limox, who claims to have a promising lead on the whereabouts of the Controller. Over her boyfriend/guardian Hunter’s objections, she sets off to a sleepy Oregon town to ferret out the truth.

The Controller is more than just a disgruntled super. He’s a rogue Guardian who was presumed dead and is now armed with a slew of high-tech hardware that not only makes him physically superior to the supers—and therefore almost impossible to destroy—he’s got the ability to detonate the implants in the back of all supers’ necks.

In Oregon, Jo meets a surviving Alpha super, Kit Masters, whose wild plan to capture the Controller could put an entire town of innocents at risk. But instead of successfully talking her former idol out of his disastrous bid to regain former glory, Jo finds herself betrayed and trapped in her worst nightmare.

Fight her former teammates, or die.

And a cover reveal! For "Battle Scars", the fourth book in the "Blood of the Pride" series! Coming out October 28th but available for pre-order at Amazon and Barnes & Noble right now!

P.I. Rebecca Desjardin is surprised when two seemingly unrelated missing-teen cases land in her lap on the same day. Her cat-shifter instincts tell her there's more to the story, and when she uncovers a bitter feud between the two families, she suspects Romeo and Juliet runaways. She turns to her lover, Brandon Hanover, a man who knows the underground better than most.

Brandon is determined to help the woman he loves outwit ruthless enforcers and bring two missing kids to safety, but when a woman from his past resurfaces he finds himself caught between two worlds once again.

As the claws come out and the war between the shifter families turns deadly, the two will have to stand together or fall separately—and even that might not be enough to save them.

And I'm thrilled to announce that I've signed a two-book contract with Carina Press for a new series...  final title TBA but here's the blurb so far!

Tales of the Bonnie Belle

Sam Keller is a woman running from her past, landing as a captain on a Mercy ship—ferrying courtesans from stop to stop to indulge the sexual fantasies and needs of distant mining colonies. She thought she'd left the violence behind but when one of her crew is brutally murdered she has to find the killer before the Bonnie Belle loses enough money to be put out of commission. Marshal Daniel LeClair arrives on base to investigate and the sparks between the two fly both professionally and personally. As the pair weave through corruption and the sensual world of the professional courtesan they find themselves drawn together not only by a need for justice but also for survival in a world where Sam knows the shadows hold dangerous secrets.

This new series will be starting out in 2014 so it's going to be a heck of a finish to 2013 and a jump with both feet into the New Year! I hope some of you will come along for the ride and enjoy a good read with old and new friends!

But wait, there's more!

One of the best things about writing a series is letting the characters grow and expand, show the reader more of what makes them tick. While the first book is usually all about the action the second and continuing stories allow the author to show more of what the characters are all about, what makes them either so lovable or loathsome.

In "Blood of the Pride" I introduced you to Rebecca Desjardin, a cat shifter who can't shift—outcast and shunned by her family until they need her help. With a foot in both the Felis and human worlds she helped find a rogue male and at the same time found love in a curious journalist named Brandon Hanover who not only figures out what she is but loves her for it.

"Claws Bared", book two, was released this past January and sent Reb down to a small town in Pennsylvania to help figure out who killed a popular male stripper. During that adventure she and Brandon figured out where they were going with their relationship and moved to the next level.

Now with "Family Pride", releasing June 3^rd from Carina Press, the intrepid cat shifter finds herself in dangerous new territory—dealing with Brandon's family. It's one thing to meet the parents and find them wanting someone better for their son, another to be forced into working for them in order to save your own.

Here's a short excerpt from "Family Pride"!

***

"My parents want to meet you."

I dropped the thick ceramic mug in the sink. It bounced once before landing in the inch-deep soapy water. The clanging sound bounced around my skull, settling behind my left eye and throbbing.

"Your parents are dead." I turned and leaned against the counter. "Are we attending a séance?"

Bran bit his lower lip. He hadn't bothered to put a shirt on, choosing to pad around my house barefoot in a pair of jeans that fit perfectly in all the right places. We'd finally dragged ourselves out of bed for lunch, ordering in pizza because we had run out of groceries.

His dark eyes met mine, apologetic and pleading.

"They're not, ah, dead. They're sort of alive."

I picked up the mug and contemplated how much strength it would take to smash it. "Your parents are zombies?"

"My parents are alive and well and very much human."

I weighed the mug in my palm, letting him watch my fingers curl around the cool clay. "You lied to me. Four months ago you lied to my face."

"Maybe." Bran put out his hand, pointing at the mug. "Please put that down."

I glared at him.

"Okay, I lied. A bit." His hand didn't move, still outstretched toward the mug. "I told you my parents were dead but that was right after we'd met and we were on opposite sides of the case." Bran smiled. "And I didn't know how good we could be together."

I didn't blink.

"Cut me a break, Reb. You've got your own family secrets." He shifted to one side with a grin, showing off his newest scratches on one shoulder. "And I can make you purr."

Damned redhead had a point. We'd both kept things from each other back then. I hadn't exactly been forthcoming about the fact that I wasn't human, but when Bran had come face-to-face with my Felis heritage I hadn't lied and denied.

I still didn't have to like it. "Who are they and why did you lie?"

He didn't move. My gaze traveled over his bare chest, resting on the fresh scars across his midsection courtesy of our latest work trip to Penscotta, Pennsylvania. He'd fought another Felis for his life and, in his own way, for me.

The least I could do was hear him out before throwing the mother of all temper tantrums.

"My father is Michael Hanover." Bran paused. "Of Hanover Investments."

I nearly dropped the mug.

"Hanover Investments. As in, they make more money in ten minutes than I'll ever see in my lifetime?" I croaked. I'd flipped through a few business articles over the past few years when I was supposed to be reading a paper and instead using it for surveillance. The business section guarantees you won't be distracted by the articles.

"Yeah. Them." He sounded almost apologetic. "It's a family business. Three generations."

"You're related to those Hanovers?"

"Michael and Bernadette Hanover are my parents." He reached out and took the mug from my numb fingers. "The reason I lied was because it'd become an instinctive reaction to explain away my wealth. Easier to say trust fund than explain my dysfunctional relationship with my parents." He shook his head, a sad smile on his lips. "You'd be surprised how many gold diggers are out there looking to snag a rich man. Or his son."

I tried to get my breathing under control. "Those Hanovers."

"We'd just met," Bran repeated. He placed the mug out of my reach and returned to stand in front of me, both hands up. "And I used the same line I use with everyone to explain my wealth. It was automatic."

***

While I don't think many of us lied to our prospective mates about our family being dead, I think we can all relate to Reb's shell shock at finding out who the Hanovers are—and when she finds out how dangerous they are it'll force her to make decisions that will change her life and her relationship with both families and Brandon forever.

I hope you'll come along for the latest book in the series and get to know Brandon and Rebecca better—after all, there's still plenty of mysteries for them to find and solve!

On another note I'll be appearing from June 12^th to the 16^th at the Origins Game Fair as part of the Library track – if you're in the Columbus, Ohio area and looking for a great way to spend a day or five, please check out the schedule! I'll be there discussing superheroes and romance writing along with many great authors such as Timothy Zahn and Michael Stackpole and there'll be plenty of great books for sale along with some faboo gaming opportunities.

If you're in the area it'd be great to see you!

 

New Year, New Book!

It's a brand new year and it's time to sweep out the cobwebs and get ready for a great time both reading and writing some fantastic fiction!

I'm pleased to announce that now that the "Blaze of Glory" superhero romance series is ended that I've been busy working not only on a sequel to "Blood of the Pride" but also to MORE books in the series!

Let's start off with an excerpt to "Claws Bared", book 2 coming out January 21^st from Carina Press…

...

I hadn't ordered any airline tickets.

I looked inside the open envelope with a mixture of surprise, dismay and confusion.

The bike courier let out a loud cough, covering his mouth with a gloved hand. I paused for a second, trying to figure out what he wanted. I'd already signed his clipboard and accepted delivery, expecting to find a court subpoena--I was used to having to testify on the stand both for and against my clients. Being a private investigator meant doing almost as much court time as investigating--the movies tend to leave that less glamorous part out.

Airline tickets weren't even on my radar.

He coughed again and wriggled his fingers. I caught on before he had to explain his chronic illness.

I dug in my pocket and found enough spare change to not embarrass myself. Handing it to the courier, I turned my attention back to the envelope.

The young man stuffed the coins into his pocket and threw me a jaunty salute before sprinting off through my small yard. He yanked his bike away from the rose bushes lining the front and jumped back out into traffic, the tires leaping in the air like some warped rearing horse.

I grimaced at the sound of screaming brakes coming from around the corner. Not hearing anyone calling for an ambulance, I closed the door and headed for my work desk. Running your business out of your home had certain advantages--like not having to worry about getting fully dressed for work. I wriggled my bare toes and sat down.

The drab brown envelope from a local travel agency held tickets from Toronto, Ontario to Pittsburgh, PA. Open return, one person in my name. Leaving that evening. I sat down at my desk and scowled at the elderly white cat sprawled over the file folders.

"This is your doing, isn't it? Revenge because I wouldn't let you be a little piglet and get sick on that tuna."

Jazz turned her steady gaze on me for another few seconds before licking her paws.

I turned my attention to the envelope. Standard brown envelope with nothing inside other than the travel agency's business card. No mention of who had sent it or who had paid for it.

I had a pretty good idea.

I lifted the envelope to my nose and inhaled. Human scent, nothing out of the ordinary. Multiple humans including my stinky messenger and a woman who wore way too much perfume.

The phone rang.

I snatched up the receiver, blowing away a wayward tuft of white cat fur. Jazz gave a short trill of approval.

"Reb." I clenched my fist at the low voice purring my name. "Glad to see you're home."

"Hi, Jess. Yes, just in time to receive this envelope." I tapped the thick folder on the varnished desktop. "I assume you've got something to do with this."

"Maybe."

"So why shouldn't I drop this into my shredder?" I snapped, harsher than I'd intended.

I was missing Bran something awful.

Jazz dropped from the desk and trotted out of the room, picking up on my mood.

"Reb, is that any way to talk to a Board member?" The snarl in her voice sent phantom pains over my back, where the scars were. I resisted the urge to sit up straight in my chair.

"Is that any way to talk to an outcast? I do you one favor and suddenly I'm on your mailing list? I'm not part of the Pride and I don't have to answer to you." I kept my voice steady despite the butterflies in my stomach. "You declared me outcast twenty years ago and threw me into foster care, banished me from the family. I haven't forgotten that."

Or forgiven. The scars throbbed, reminders of the thrashing I'd gotten at Jess's claws in a final test of my ability to Change.

I'd failed. Spectacularly.

.....

I'm also happy to say that "Family Pride", the third in the series, will be available in June with a fourth book tentatively scheduled for September this year!

I hope you'll come along for more adventures with a shifter who can't shift and the man who loves her…

 

 

 

 

A NaNoWriMo Success Story!

It's a good time, I think, with November drawing to a close and thousands of NaNoWriMo authors gasping over their keyboards to give them a bit of inspiration. I've written on my blog other thoughts on the month-long exercise in insanity and how to get the most you can out of it with or without finishing the 50K run.

Here's another one.

"Blood of the Pride" started off as a NaNo project a few years ago, a second try at winning the contest after doing so the previous year with "Blaze of Glory". That book was still in edits and I wanted to do something different, something away from the superhero romance. The first sentence came to me...

"I smelled the blood before I had a chance to look for it, the tangy, dense scent landing on the back of my tongue."

Right then I knew this was going to be a detective novel of a different sort, of a cat shifter who couldn't shift and was outcast from her people. Rebecca Desjardin talked her way through the book and I pulled it off, finishing the first draft before the end of the month.

And, as you can see... it sold.

In fact, it sold so well to Carina Press that not only is there an audiobook out for "Blood of the Pride" but it's also been included in the Direct-To-Consumer for Harlequin's February 2013 paranormal shipment to their subscribers. So it's going to print.

And then there's this:

Yep. A sequel.

The second in four books under contract with Carina Press. "Claws Bared" comes out in January 2013 in ebook and in audiobook format. The third and fourth books are due in June and September. I'm hoping for them to also go to print.

This was a NaNoWriMo project. This is a project I worked on long after the month was over and edited to death before submitting it.

This is a NaNo success story as far as I'm concerned.

And if it could happen to me it could happen to you.

You may feel overwhelmed with the words on the page. You might feel like you're floundering and just can't get up; wallowing in the speed writing.

It's okay. It's okay NOT to finish by the end of the month. But you have to finish.

And then, if you want, edit edit edit to death.

Because you CAN sell a NaNo novel.

I did.

And you can too.

Now get back to that keyboard!

7 Reasons Why Shifters Make Better Lovers

Seven Reasons Why Shifters Make Better Lovers… According to Grady Chastell

1. They’re animals in the bedroom.

2. They’re not shy about taking their clothes off.

3. Endurance is an animal instinct.

4. I (Grady) am a Shifter. Just sayin’.

5. Vampires aren’t real. And if they were, they’d be dead. Who the hell wants to cuddle up with a dead body?

6. Male Shifters are especially driven to satisfy their partners. It's genetic. Really.

7. Cats do it better. It’s a fact.

Note from Grady: We Chastells are a bunch of Ac-taw, Shifters living in the small town of Cougar Falls, Montana. Burke, the pride leader and my older brother, has gotten himself hitched. And now I've found "the one." But she's not convinced. Not yet. And to prove how incredibly wonderful I am, check this out...

An excerpt from Outfoxed
This is is so, so bad. In the raptor-run restaurant a block down the street, Gabby smiled and tried to focus on Grady’s words, not the firm lips shaping them. If anything, the distance from him the past two days had made her need even worse. It was like he’d awakened an inferno of lust inside her and she needed him to put out the flames. She hadn’t paid any attention to the men who’d come to visit her today. Even Miles, who’d stopped by her store to check out the new places in town, hadn’t turned her head.

Knowing how Grady tasted, how he felt in her hand, made it hard to do more than sigh at him. And then to watch him flirt with Millie, to tease her yet treat her with respect, to witness him gracefully sidestep the aggravating she-bears with ease without making a scene. She liked him more and more. There had to be something wrong with him…aside from the fact he couldn’t dance.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” He sounded wary.

“You’re awfully nice.”

He nearly choked on the swallow of beer he’d taken. “Nice?”

“Yeah. I’m trying to match this version of Grady with the man who taped a honk if you want me to make you purr note to the back of Burke’s pickup last week. Or the man who left his inebriated baby brother, naked as a jaybird, in front of Sonia Daly’s house.” Sonia was an older raptor who liked her men young and handsome. And drunk.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He struggled to hide a grin and stared at his half-eaten plate of food.

“And last month. Who was it that dressed a stuffed animal—a dog, not even a wolf—in Monty’s sunglasses, covered the thing with his clothes and scent, and sent him to Sophie?”

“Sophie who?”

“She told me the note promised hot nights with Scooby if she played her cards right.” Scooby. She grinned at the remembrance. Monty had been more than pissed at the time, while Sophie had thought it hilarious.

“Gabby, I’m hurt. How could you think I would do any of those horrible things?” The snort of laughter gave him away.

She joined him, and they laughed so hard they annoyed the wolves, bears and raptors trying to have a romantic dinner nearby.

A waitress came over to see what the fuss was about. Gabby started to apologize but stopped when she saw who’d come to inquire. “Sonia Daly?” she squeaked.

“Yeah.” She looked Grady up and down. “Hey Chastell, you tell your brother I’m still waiting on that date he promised me.”

“Yes, ma’am.” They waited until she left, looked at one another and burst into laughter again.

Grady didn’t wait for management to kick them out. He plunked some cash onto the table, grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the restaurant, still trying to catch her breath.

They stopped a few stores down from the restaurant. She turned to say something when their gazes caught. That tingle in her belly turned into an outright flutter of something special. Something warm and happy and right. Then he sighed her name and took her in his arms.

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Outfoxed by Marie Harte