Category Archives: Teasers

Taken by the Faerie Teaser Tuesday

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Paranormal Women’s Fiction, Urban Fantasy

Date Published: January 10, 2025

 

 

Thaddeus Maguire is a vampire. He can’t remember the last time he
felt young, vibrant and alive. He’s made choices he regrets, but when
one of those mistakes comes back to haunt him, he’s forced to face his
past. The only place a hungry, beaten vampire can heal and recharge is the
best sanctuary for anyone paranormal. Eerie.

When he forces himself through a portal to his hometown, he lands at the
feet of the most beautiful flame-red haired Faerie he’s ever seen. The
moment he looks up at Tasia, he’s in love. But who could love a broken
vampire?

Tasia isn’t afraid of the damaged vampire, and she’s determined
to make him see he’s more than his mistakes.

Can they outrun his past and find a future before his biggest mistake
destroys them? Love is possible when you’ve been taken by the
Faerie.

 

 

EXCERPT

 

“You’re dangerous.”

“I know.” Clayton’s eyes flashed. “I also know
you’re sending them to Eerie. I can’t touch them there, but I
can touch you here. Send another and I’ll fuck you up.”

“You will?” He had no doubt. Clayton didn’t care who he
hurt as long as he got what he wanted. “Why is that?”

“Because I made them for food. I made them so I can use them. I made
them because I want a fucking army.” Clayton stepped into
Thaddeus’s personal space. “I made them so they’ll fight
vermin like you.”

“Like me? Come now. That’s so harsh.” He shouldn’t
bait Clayton, but he didn’t care. He’d allowed Clayton and his
band of marauders to screw with his life for years. No more. “What are
you going to do about it? Are you going to kick my ass again? You’ve
done it so much that it’s lost the threat.”

“Oh?” Clayton punched hard into Thaddeus’s stomach. The
impact threw Thaddeus backward and would’ve knocked the wind out of
him — if he’d have had breath in his body. Not for years.

Thaddeus winced and gritted his teeth, but grinned. “Is that all you
have?”

“No.” Clayton withdrew a butterfly knife from his pocket and
slashed it through the air. He hacked into Thaddeus’s chest, leaving
trails of gray blood in his wake. He sliced down Thaddeus’s arm, then
across his belly. He shoved the knife into Thaddeus’s abdomen.
“Had enough?”

“I’m good. Wear yourself out.” He didn’t want
another slashing, but he wasn’t about to show that. The less Clayton
knew he was in pain, the better.

“You can’t protect all of them. Can’t save them or even
be the good guy. You’ll never redeem yourself,” Clayton said. He
twisted the knife. “You went down that road years ago and you
can’t undo it, so don’t try. Accept you’re a fucking loser
and will never be anything but.” He yanked the knife out and shook the
blood onto the asphalt as if the blood were water on his sleeve. He walked
away, then glanced over his shoulder and pointed to his eyes.

Of course, he was being watched. That’s how these beings worked. No
one ever got away free.

Thaddeus held his belly and managed to form a portal. Fucker. Clayton had
done a number on him this time. It’d take a few days to recover. He
would — vampires didn’t die without involving silver or crucifixes,
and Clayton was smart enough not to use either.

He couldn’t protect the human world forever. The regular
world’s vastness was more than one being could handle. He’d need
help.

Then again, he couldn’t be the only protector.

Jesus H. Christ. Where were the others? Asleep at the wheel?
Probably.

He shook his head and stepped through the portal into Eerie and quickly
closed the opening behind him. The faster he sealed the opening, the better
the chances he could get away from Clayton, even if only for now.

He sank to the ground and bowed his head. He needed to recharge. Fuck, he
should find a nice corner and hide. His skin would eventually seal over and
the damage within him would go away, but a good meal would help. Being in
Eerie didn’t mean he’d find one quickly.

He’d fought off Clayton for years, but he couldn’t keep going.
Not like this. Besides, why in the name of hell did Clayton need to destroy
so much?

He lifted his head and drank in his surroundings. He’d forgotten how
bright the town could be. After a moment, he realized he’d stepped
into the Faerie block. God love those Faeries; they lived for their
audacious colors.

Then there he was — he hated anything that wasn’t black. Blend in
and don’t be seen.

He looked around and his stomach churned. Not from the lack of blood, but
the sickeningly sweet location. There had to be at least three cupcake shops
on the block. Who needed so much sugar?

Not him.

“Excuse me. Do you need help?” A red haired Faerie, dressed in
a pale green dress, touched his shoulder. When he met her gaze, electricity
shot through him. His skin tingled from her touch. When she smiled, she
warmed him throughout. The odd look in her eyes confused him, though. Was
that interest or fear?

“You do need help. Are you… you’re cut. Oh, Hera, please
let me help you.” She grasped him under his arms and hoisted him to
his feet. “What happened to you? No, I get it. I see, and I’m
not letting you languish out here.”

“What are you talking about?” He didn’t understand how
she’d figured out he had a problem, other than the slashes and blood.
The way she talked, it was like she knew what was going on. Had she seen
other vampires coming to Eerie after being assaulted? How many more of them
were there? “How do you seem to know what I’m thinking?
What’s in my gut?”

“We should talk.” She nodded to a bench, then paused. “We
could stop here by the street, but you’re safer if you come with me to
the Hall. We’ll go to my work.”

“You’re a cop.” He dug in his heels as best he could.
“I’m not going to the cops.” He’d done that plenty
of other times and usually landed in jail for twenty-four hours for what was
claimed to be his own protection. Har. More like the protection of the
community.

If he’d gone mad or gone rogue, then everyone was in danger, but he
hadn’t on either account. He was just fine. Hurt, but fine. Beyond
that, the cops tended to have mages and necromancers on their staff who
could read his mind. They’d see way more than he wanted to
share.

 

 

About the Author

Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author
of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing
since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary
and paranormal to LGBTQ and white hot themes. No matter what the length, her
works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her
characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s
been nominated at the LRC for Best Author, Best Contemporary, Best
Ménage, Best BDSM and Best Anthology. Her books have made it to the
bestseller lists on various e-tailer sites.

When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as
well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but
football is her sport of choice. She’s an active member of the Friends
of the Keystone-LaGrange Public library.

 

Author Links

Author on Facebook

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Author on Instagram

 

 

Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok:
@changelingpress

 

 

Pre-Order Today

 

 

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ACE Teaser Tuesday

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Riptide MC (#1)

 

Motorcycle Club Romance

Date Published: 1/3/25

Publisher: Changeling Press

 

 

Someone took a shot at my Emma – and signed his own death warrant. No
one hurts my woman and lives.

 

Emma:

After witnessing a cold-blooded killing, I run to the only person I can
think of who can protect me. Ace is my high school fantasy turned big bad
biker. Did I mention sizzling, sexy, and hot? He’s everything I know I
should stay away from, but his touch makes me melt and when his lips devour
mine, I forget why I shouldn’t let him near me. But he’s more
than just a one-night stand. He makes me feel safe. Loved. Wanted. All the
things I’ve never had — and that’s addictive as hell. Ace makes
it clear he wants to claim me, make me part of his biker family, and keep me
by his side. And I want him. Forever.

 

Ace:

I’ve always had a thing for Emma, but back in high school, she dated
my little brother. So I moved on. Joined the Navy SEALs. Re-upped a few
times, but when that last mission went south, I knew it was time to bail.
Feeling lost and adrift, I came home. And patched into the Riptide MC.
Finally felt like I had a home and a family. I didn’t think life could
get any better. A knock on my door in the middle of the night changed
everything. Emma fell into my arms, terrified and wounded. Some asshole shot
my Emma. He may not know it yet, but he just signed his own death warrant.
Once I’ve taken care of her, I’m going to convince Emma to stay
with me. Forever.

 

 

Excerpt

Copyright ©2024 Anne Kane

 

Emma

It was midnight by the time I left work. My shitty excuse for a car had
crapped out on me yesterday and transit didn’t run this late, so I had
to walk home. Short enough walk, but this wasn’t the safest part of
town for a woman alone to traverse after dark. I knew better than to take
the shortcut through the park, especially at night. The bad guys came out
when the sun went down, clinging to the shadows in the park as they went
about their illegal activities. Drug deals, illicit arms sales and who knew
what else. Still, that route would cut the length of my walk in half, and
after slinging drinks at the bar all night, the temptation was too much to
resist.

My aching feet won the argument with my common sense, and I risked
it.

It was dark under the towering trees. The heavy branches blocked out the
majority of the moonlight, making it feel eerily like the setting of a
horror movie. More than half of the lights on the concrete path had been
knocked out by kids throwing rocks. I stepped up my pace.

I was halfway through the park when the sound of a gunshot rang out loud in
the still night air. I jumped, automatically turning toward the
sounds.

In the clearing off to my left side stood a big guy holding a gun. He had
it pointed at another guy who had a splash of red spreading from a hole in
his chest. The shooter took two more shots, hitting the other guy right
between the eyes. The victim crumpled to the ground as blood and brains
splattered from the back of his head. His mouth opened, but no sound came
out. A thin trickle of blood trailed from the corner of his lips and
splashed the ground. In the light of the full moon, I could see the life
fading from his eyes as he stared at the man holding the smoking gun.

I slapped my hand over my mouth, desperately trying to stifle a scream. I
wasn’t successful. I stood rooted to the spot, my mind trying to
process the horror of what I’d just witnessed.

The murderer swiveled and looked straight at me. He was a huge monster of a
man, with tattoos covering every available inch of skin on his heavily
muscled arms. His chest was wide, and no doubt just as muscled beneath a
skintight shirt.

His eyes were cold and hard as he brought the gun around and pointed the
deadly weapon straight at me.

Survival instinct kicked in. I turned and ran.

Shots rang out behind me. One. Two. The bullets went wide, the
shooter’s aim hindered by the moving target.

Me.

I was the moving target. He was trying to kill me. The third shot scorched
a fiery path across my side. When I brought my hand down to my ribs, I could
feel sticky dampness oozing from a ragged hole in my jacket. A coppery smell
filled the air. Blood.

No time to stop and assess the damage. That wasn’t a warning shot —
it was meant to kill. Hopefully, that was a regulation gun, with a six-shot
magazine like you see in the movies. Three shots to commit murder, and three
fired at me. The asshole was going to have to reload before he could finish
me off.

Enough time for me to escape? I had to hope so. One hand pressed to the
throbbing wound on my side, I plunged into the heavy shrubs lining the
pathways. I’d be an easier target if I stayed on the paths. Better to
get a few scratches. At least it was too dark away from the path to follow
the trail of blood I was undoubtedly leaving behind.

The murderer didn’t waste any time coming after me. His progress was
marked by heavy thumps of his boot as he charged down the path. Hopefully he
hadn’t seen me dart into the bushes. “You can’t escape,
you little bitch,” he snarled. “You’re pissing me off, and
that’s going to make it worse when I catch up. Give up now and
I’ll take it easy on you.”

I doubted that. Considering I’d just watched him kill someone in cold
blood, he wasn’t likely to pat me on the head and send me on my way. I
paused and crouched down beside a flowering shrub. My heart beat so loud it
was a miracle he couldn’t hear it. Looking around, I tried to figure
out the shortest way out of the park.

“Did you see which way she went?”

“No, but she didn’t pass us, so she must be heading for the
road.”

Shit! There were two of them. I hadn’t seen a second man, but then
again, I hadn’t stuck around long enough to take in details.

“Makes sense. We need to stop her.” The sound of branches
snapping filled the air.

“These damn bushes are thick.” Even muttering to himself, the
murderer sounded closer. And cold-blooded. As if he were discussing an
annoying insect, not a human being. “You recognize the
bitch?”

There was a long pause. “She did look familiar. Maybe works one of
the bars in the brewery district? I think she might be a bartender. That
shock of red hair should make her easy to find.”

“Pity we didn’t get a pic.”

That remark was met with a derisive snort. “If we had time to get a
picture, we would have had time to end her and solve the
problem.”

“Do you think she can ID us?”

“I doubt it. It’s dark enough out, even with the damn moon
shining and she only saw us for a few seconds. I’m not even sure she
saw both of us.”

“Doesn’t matter. The boss ain’t going to be happy with a
witness running loose. We need to find her and wrap up the loose
ends.”

I had no illusions about how they intended to wrap up the loose end,
meaning me. I needed to get out of here and call the cops.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to move. I veered to my left, away
from the two thugs. Weaving my way as quietly as I could between the
ornamental shrubbery, I stayed low to the ground. I didn’t dare stand
up and make myself an easy target. That damn full moon was not helping me
now. The thought of being outlined against the sky terrified me, and the
bullet wound on my side hurt like hell.

The distance between me and the assassination squad widened. They were
following the path, but headed in the other direction, presumably directly
out of the park. Which meant I needed to circle around and exit by a
different route.

Thug number two raised his voice. “Come on out and discuss this,
girl. It’s not what you think. We can explain.”

That would be interesting. How did he think he could explain shooting
someone at point blank range? And the fact that he’d taken a few
potshots at me didn’t inspire much trust on my part. Not to mention
their talk of ending the problem, with me being said problem.

I worked my way in the opposite direction, lengthening the distance between
me and them. It felt like forever before I reached the edge of the park, not
too far from where I’d originally entered. Seems I’d been
walking in a circle.

I took a careful look around to make sure it was safe to emerge before
scurrying across the road and into the sheltering darkness of an alley. I
reached into my pocket for my cell phone to call for help. Not that I had a
whole pile of friends who could come to my rescue, but the cops needed to
know there was a dead body in the park. Maybe, if they were quick enough,
they could catch the murderous twosome before they escaped the area.

Crap! The phone wasn’t in my pocket. I knew I’d tucked it in
there when I left work, which meant it had fallen out somewhere in the
park.

An icy river of fear trickled its way down my spine. If the murderers found
it, they’d know who I was. Sure, there was a password, but I
wasn’t naïve enough to think it couldn’t be hacked, and
guys who committed murder wouldn’t balk at illegally hacking a phone.
Even if they didn’t manage to bypass the password, my home screen
picture showed me grinning like an idiot while standing in front of the bar
where I worked, the name of the bar clearly visible above my head. I thought
it was cute when I tagged it as the home screen picture. It might as well
say, come and get me!

Dumb. Dumb and Dumber.

Now what? I couldn’t very well go home and wait for the bad guys to
figure out where to find me, and I definitely couldn’t go back to the
bar.

The rustling of bushes in the distance made me jump. Sitting here stewing
wasn’t helping any. Sooner or later, those guys would double back to
find me.

Where to go presented an issue. It wasn’t like I had a loving family
waiting to protect me. I only knew one person who might be able to help me.
Then again, I’d dated his little brother in high school. I may have
burnt that bridge behind me.

Justin Maclean and I had been close once upon a time. Friends close, not
lovers close, although we had dated. It kept the other guys away. It was a
tough neighborhood, and we’d had each other’s backs. I’d
had a crush on his older brother James though. Tall, dark and brooding. Just
what every teenaged girl longs for.

Turned out the younger Maclean and I had very different dreams.

 

About the Author

Anne Kane lives in the beautiful Okanagan Valley with a bouncy little
rescue dog whose breed defies description, a cantankerous Himalayan cat, and
too many fish to count. She spent many years trying to fit in and act
normal, but finally gave up the effort. She started writing romance in 2008,
and her fate was sealed when she won a publishing contract with Red Sage
Publishing and just a month later Changeling Press accepted her first
submission. Since then she has published more than thirty stories in a
variety of sub-genres, all with a happily ever after.

She has two handsome sons and six adorable grandchildren and enjoys
spending time with them whenever she can. Her hobbies, when she’s not
playing with the characters in her head, include kayaking, hiking, swimming,
playing guitar, singing and of course, reading.

 

Contact Links

Website

Blog

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Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok:
@changelingpress

 

Pre-Order Today

 

 

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Dominic Teaser

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(Grim Road MC)

Motorcycle Club Romance, Suspense, Age Gap

Date Published: December 27, 2024

 

 

I’m sergeant at arms of Grim Road MC. When I decide a woman is mine?
She’s mine.

 

Annie — I’m seriously starting to question my life choices. The
truth is, even though I was practically homeless and living on a meal a day
most of the time, I’m vastly better off now than I had been.
Unfortunately, stubbornness doesn’t pay for shelter. Or even food, if
you can believe it. I have a job at a local diner, but it’s still hard
to survive. Which is how I find myself in a bikini contest. If I make it out
of this situation, I’m never doing this again. Yet somehow I end up in
bed with the most wicked, dangerous man I’ve ever met. And why does he
call to me like nothing else ever has in my life?

Dominic — The things I let my vice president push me into…
I’m not a people person on the best of days, but somehow Lemon talked
me into being a judge at a the local bikini contest. She says it’s to
give the club some positive community exposure, but I’m pretty sure
she’s just trying to get me laid. Too bad every woman here’s
young enough to be my daughter. I’m a protective guy by nature and
have a bit of a soft spot for vulnerable women. It’s one of many
reasons Rocket made me sergeant at arms for Grim Road MC. Unfortunately, my
protective instincts kick in when my co-judge gropes one of the contestants.
The shock on the young woman’s face and the panicked way she flees the
stage prompts me to act without considering the consequences… and
that’s how the fight starts…

 

 

Dominic tablet

EXCERPT

“I’m too old for this fuckin’ shit.” It was true,
too. At forty-eight years old I was definitely too old to be judging a
bikini contest. Especially not after as much beer as I’d consumed.
Though I knew better than to touch without invitation, I was just as likely
to say something equally offensive. But at least, maybe I wouldn’t get
myself arrested.

“Me too.” The guy beside me was every bit my age and then some.
He looked like the standard West Palm Beach retiree. Too much on the spray
tan, too much on the hair transplants, and a little soft around the middle.
He was also probably wealthy enough not to care about the going to jail part
when he groped a young woman. Guy likely had a couple of the city’s
finest in his pocket in the case of something so trivial as touching a woman
inappropriately without permission. Like in the middle of a bikini contest.
Fucking bastard. “Don’t mean I’m not enjoying every
fucking second.”

A huge smile on his face, the guy reached out — just as I knew he would
the second he’d sat down next to me at the judges’ table — and
ran his hand up the inner thigh of one of the contestants. The girl
sidestepped her way deftly out of reach and gave the guy a mock reproving
look. Like it was all a big joke when I knew she’d reacted the way she
had by pretending it hadn’t bothered her that a strange man had been
headed to the promised land without her permission. I’d always thought
it was disgusting what women put up with sometimes. This was a prime
example.

“No touching,” I snapped at the guy. I was only here because
I’d let Lemon bully me into participating. Something about acting as
security near the stage and looking good for the club in the
community… Oh. And about me needing to get laid. Which, while I
didn’t disagree with her, I didn’t want a child in my bed. These
girls were all supposed to be at least eighteen but were young enough to be
my daughters. I thought back to Tina and my own daughter, Calista. Calista
was married to my enforcer and was probably only a couple of years older
than some of these girls. So, yeah. I knew grandparents who were my age.
Tina was probably laughing at this whole situation from heaven. If she
thought about me at all. I thought she might and I was determined to not do
anything to make her ashamed of me. Which made this a colossal waste of time
if Lemon was trying to get me hooked up. But I’d be Goddamned if I
wouldn’t put this guy in his place.

“Fuck you, man.” The guy didn’t even look at me. Instead,
he reached for another woman walking past our table. This one obviously
wasn’t used to being in these sorts of things because she started when
his hand slid up the back of her thigh to squeeze her ass before she could
get out of his grip. She whipped around with a startled cry and the guy just
laughed. “That’s right, baby girl!” he yelled up at the
young woman to be heard over the whoops and hollers. “Come to
papa!”

The look on her face said she hadn’t expected anything like this when
she entered this contest and had no idea how to handle the situation. Which
meant she’d probably either been tricked into entering, or she was
desperate. I wasn’t sure which to hope for, and I wasn’t sure
which made me more angry.

“Touch her again, I’ll rip your arms off. You damn sure
won’t touch her after that.” I actually bared my teeth. Which
wasn’t something I’d normally do. I prided myself on my cool
head. I was methodical and planned each move as carefully as I could. I also
listened to my instincts and factored them into my decisions. This time,
however, I hadn’t even thought about my move; I’d just acted,
practically snarling like a rabid wolf. Also, I meant every single word. If
he touched that girl again, I’d follow through with my promise.

“What the fuck, man? Why else would I be here if not to enjoy the
show?” He gave me a cocky — if a bit nervous-looking — grin.
“They all like it or they wouldn’t put themselves in this kinda
thing.”

It took all my restraint not to wait until he touched the girl again — and
I knew he’d at least try — and just beat the fuck outta him right
now. “I’m not repeating myself. You’ve been
warned.”

“Fuck you.” The guy sneered at me before reaching out to run
his hand up the same girl’s calf.

This time she jumped back, a panicked look on her face that sent a spike of
fury through my chest. I reached out to the guy, fully intending to knock
his hand off her. Instead, I grabbed the back of his head and shoved him
face first into the edge of the stage. There was the crunch of bone, a spray
of blood, and Mr. Handsy dropped to the ground and didn’t move.

The girl on the stage gasped, slapping both hands over her mouth in shock.
She looked from me to him and back before turning and fleeing the
stage.

“Fuck.” I hadn’t meant to scare the girl and, for some
fucking reason, it made my chest ache worse than my anger at imagined
reasons for her being in this contest in the first Goddamned place.

All around me, men were still cheering, either not noticing the interaction
between two of the judges or not caring. I kept my eye on the fleeing girl
so I could see exactly which way she went. I caught the number on her hip
indicating her contestant number. I’d find out her name before I left
this place, then I’d give that shit to Crush or Byte and they’d
find her for me if needed. Oh, they’d moan and groan and tell me they
needed more, then after a bunch of grumbling and even more pizza, chips,
dip, chicken wings, and anything else they could get Evelyn and Gina to make
them. Which meant, I’d be bribing the women to make everything all in
one go so I got my information faster.

Making my way through the crowd of horny men in their twenties, I headed in
the direction I’d watched her leave. Still, no one said anything about
the guy I’d just dropped. Were these fuckers for real?

Wait. Of course they were for real. I’d just answered that question
when I’d made the judgment they were horny men in their twenties.
Every ounce of blood flow that should have gone to their brains had likely
gone straight to their dicks. Given the link between sex and violence, those
guys wouldn’t notice anything short of a bomb blast.

I hurried around the stage and saw her. Leaning against a concrete wall
next to the women’s bathroom. She had her hand over her stomach, and
then she leaned forward and vomited.

“Sweet God above.” Another woman emerged from the bathroom in a
skimpy bikini like everyone else had on. She gave my girl a disgusted look,
her tone of voice irritated in the extreme. “Girl, you’ve got to
get a hold of yourself.” She snickered. “If I curled up in a
pile of puke every time someone grabbed me on stage, I’d never get
through even one contest.” She scrunched up her nose. “Not like
you were ever going to win anyway.” She flipped her hair over her
shoulder, then twisted her ass toward the back of the stage. My girl sobbed
as she finished vomiting.

I froze where I was as she fell back on her ass. She was half naked — her
bathing suit didn’t cover much — huddling on the ground in a
protective ball as she cried.

“Girl? He hurt you?” I knew he hadn’t, but I had no idea
what her mindset was.

She shook her head but didn’t say anything.

“Girl? Need a verbal answer.” I stepped closer to her, careful
not to spook her. I wasn’t sure how long I had before someone realized
Mr. Handsy at the judges’ table was unconscious, or worse, and came
looking for me.

“No.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and stood
to her feet. “I just wasn’t expecting anyone to touch
me.”

“He shouldn’t have.”

She looked up at me with large, hazel eyes. “You hurt
him.”

 

About the Author

Marteeka Karland is an international bestselling author who leads a double
life as an erotic romance author by evening and a semi-domesticated
housewife by day. Known for her down and dirty MC romances, Marteeka takes
pleasure in spinning tales of tenacious, protective heroes and spirited,
vulnerable heroines. She staunchly advocates that every character deserves a
blissful ending, even, sometimes, the villains in her narratives. Her
writings are speckled with intense, raw elements resulting in page-turning
delight entwined with seductive escapades leading up to gratifying
conclusions that elicit a sigh from her readers.

Away from the pen, Marteeka finds joy in baking and supporting her husband
with their gardening activities. The late summer season is set aside for
preserving the delightful harvest that springs from their combined efforts
(which is mostly his efforts, but you can count it). To stay updated with
Marteeka’s latest adventures and forthcoming books, make sure to visit her
website. Don’t forget to register for her newsletter which will pepper you
with a potpourri of Teeka’s beloved recipes, book suggestions, autograph
events, and a plethora of interesting tidbits.

Contact Links

Author on Instagram & TikTok: @marteekakarland

Author on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/experiencethemagicmk

 

Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok:
@changelingpress

 

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Heart of a Hero Teaser Tuesday

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Swift Angels MC (#1)

Motorcycle Club Romance, Firefighters, Slow Burn

Date Published: December 20, 2024

Publisher: Changeling Press

 

 

 

The unexpected twists and turns in life often lead to the most beautiful
surprises.

 

Nora: If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that life
never goes according to plan. But having my apartment burn down was
certainly not on my to-do list. Being trapped with my daughter, the flames
drawing closer, was the most terrifying thing I’d ever experienced.
Until the sexiest firefighter I’ve ever seen came swinging through my
window and saved us.

I should have known our heroic rescuer wouldn’t just sit back and do
nothing when he heard we had nowhere else to go. So now we’re staying
with him, and the more I learn about Dawson Kane, the harder I start to fall
for him. But what if he breaks my heart just like all the others?

Dawson: Growing up as the son of a Dixie Reaper, I’ve seen so many
couples come together, having fallen in love at first sight. Never thought
it would happen to me. Now that it has, I’m going to hold onto Nora
and her daughter Taylor with everything I have. Even finding out she’s
three months pregnant isn’t enough to scare me off. Her ex causing
trouble doesn’t either. I’m going to prove to her she’s
worth fighting for.

Now I just have to confess to my dad that I not only helped start my own
motorcycle club, but I’m the VP. The holidays are supposed to be the
time for miracles, and I’m going to need several! One to ensure my dad
doesn’t kill me when he finds out what I’ve been hiding from
him, another to make Nora stay with me forever, and the last one to get rid
of her psycho ex once and for all.

 

Uncover a tale of love that defies the odds in “Heart of a
Hero,” perfect for fans of romance with a touch of danger.

 

Heart of a Hero tablet

Excerpt

Copyright ©2024 Harley Wylde

 

Dawson

The alarm blared through the station, jolting me into action.
“Apartment fire on 5th and Maple!” someone shouted. My heart
pounded as I threw on my bunker gear, the heavy coat and pants weighing me
down but also steeling my resolve. I joined my team as we raced to the fire
truck, sirens already wailing.

As we sped through the city streets, I tried to calm my nerves and focus.
Flames. Smoke. People trapped. This is what I trained for. What I lived
for.

We screeched to a halt outside the burning apartment building, flames
licking out the windows and thick black smoke billowing into the sky. My
eyes watered from the acrid stench as I leaped out and assessed the inferno
before me. It was worse than I thought. The fire had engulfed the entire
building, all the way to the top floors, orange tongues of flame bursting
through some of the top floor windows.

The captain walked off to assess the situation and I stared at the building
in horror. Evan came up beside me letting out a long whistle. “Damn.
Think someone’s Christmas lights caused this?”

I shrugged. This time of year, anything was possible. “Wouldn’t
be the first time.”

Cap came back and gave us our orders, and the crew got to work dousing the
building. Another fire station responded, and soon we had two hoses trying
to tame the flames. I wasn’t sure it was going to be enough.

Captain Briggs came over a few minutes later, his face grim. He pointed up,
and I followed to a window on the top floor. “Dawson, we got a woman
trapped on the eighth floor.”

My blood ran cold. “I’ll get her, Cap. Just get the ladder
truck in place and –”

“No can do.” Briggs shook his head firmly. “The
fire’s too intense. The building’s not stable, and the flames
will weaken the ladder. No way to reach her.”

“Cap, we can’t just leave her!” I clenched my fists, my
mind racing for a solution.

“Nothing we can do, son.” Briggs put a hand on my shoulder.
“I’m sorry. Sometimes, we lose people. You know this already.
It’s part of the job.”

I shrugged him off, still staring at the raging flames. Like hell was I
giving up on her. Not while there was still a chance. I scanned the adjacent
building, an idea starting to form. It was risky as all get-out but it just
might work.

The roar of the inferno faded as determination flooded through me. I knew
what I had to do. I turned to Briggs, my voice low and urgent.

“I’ve got a plan, Cap. Trust me.”

Briggs narrowed his eyes at me, suspicion etched on his face. “What
are you thinking, Dawson?”

I pointed to the adjacent building. “I can get to the roof from
there, rappel down to her window, and bring her back up.”

“Are you out of your mind?” Briggs barked, his face turning
red. “That’s suicide! I order you to keep your ass on the
ground, Kane.”

But I was already moving, sprinting toward the neighboring building. Briggs
shouted after me, but his words were lost in the chaos. I knew he was just
trying to protect me, but I couldn’t stand by and do nothing. Not when
a life hung in the balance.

I burst through the door of the adjacent building, my heart pounding in my
chest. The stairwell stretched before me, a daunting climb to the top. But I
didn’t hesitate, taking the steps two at a time, my bunker gear
weighing me down.

Sweat poured down my face, my lungs burning with each breath. But I pushed
through the pain, focusing on the task at hand. I had to reach the roof. I
had to save her.

I reached the top floor, slamming through the door to the roof. The cool
night air hit my face, a stark contrast to the heat of the stairwell. I
rushed to the edge, my eyes scanning the burning building before me.

There, on the eighth floor, a window illuminated by the dancing flames. A
woman leaned out the window, screaming for help. A little girl clung to her.
My heart clenched at the sight.

I knew I didn’t have much time. The building could go at any
moment.

I stepped back from the edge, my mind racing. The gap between the buildings
was wide, the flames licking at the sides of the apartment complex. One
wrong move, and it was all over.

But I couldn’t let fear take hold. This was what I was meant to do.
Even if this next shift was my last, it didn’t matter. Every life I
saved made it all worthwhile.

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. The heat of the fire was palpable
even from this distance. I forced myself to focus, to draw on every ounce of
training and experience I had.

“You can do this, Dawson,” I whispered to myself, my voice
barely audible over the roar of the flames. “You were born for
this.”

I opened my eyes, my gaze locked on the window across the way. The woman
and child were still there, the woman’s movements growing more
desperate by the second.

My heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline coursing through my veins. I knew
what I had to do.

I took a step back, my muscles coiled like a spring. The weight of my gear
seemed to fall away, my mind crystal clear. I could almost feel the presence
of my team below, their silent support giving me strength. Except the
captain, who looked ready to murder me for defying his orders.

“Hang on,” I whispered, as if the woman could hear me.
“I’m coming.”

And with that, I took a running start, my feet pounding against the
rooftop. The edge rushed toward me, the gap between the buildings yawning
wide.

But I didn’t hesitate. I pushed off with all my might, my body arcing
through the air. For a moment, time seemed to stand still, the world falling
away beneath me.

And then I was flying; the wind whipped past my face, and the flames
reached up to meet me. My heart was in my throat, and my pulse pounded in my
ears.

I didn’t look down. I kept my eyes on the prize, on the window
growing larger with each passing second. I could see the woman’s face
now, her features etched with fear and desperation.

I braced myself for impact, my body tensing as I prepared to land. The heat
of the fire was overwhelming, and if it hadn’t been for my gear, I
knew the smoke would have choked my lungs.

I landed on the opposite rooftop, rolling with the impact. One of my
firefighter brothers was on the rooftop behind me, the one I’d just
vacated. He held up a coil of rope and I nodded. I’d been so focused
on reaching the woman and kid, I hadn’t even thought to grab anything.
I’d have figured it out once I got there.

Evan ran toward the ledge, much like I had to just done, then he was
airborne. He landed a little more gracefully than I had, then found a place
to tie off the rope.

“I’m going to rappel down to the window,” I said.

Evan looked around. “Better hurry. This building isn’t going to
stand much longer, and the flames will probably eat through the rope pretty
quick.”

I nodded and braced my feet on the ledge of the building, my hand gripping
the rope. It seemed to be holding, so I started my descent. The window came
into view, and I swung through the opening.

The woman and her daughter were huddled in the corner, their faces streaked
with soot and tears. The fire had already eaten through their door and was
fast approaching.

“It’s okay,” I said, my voice steady. “I’m
here to help.”

And as I gathered the little girl in my arms, then secured her to my back,
I knew this was my calling… the one thing I was meant to do. I used
the rope to climb back to the rooftop and handed the little girl off to
Evan.

“Where’s the woman?” he asked.

“I’m going back for her. Get the girl out of here.”

Evan shook his head. “Not leaving you behind.”

I didn’t argue with him. Didn’t have the time to do so. I went
back down and through the window again, this time getting the woman out of
the burning building. The flames had already traveled across the carpeted
floor and I knew even a second later, they’d have been blistering her
skin. As it was, she might very well have burns from the heat.

The flames licked at us as I shielded the woman with my body. I went back
up the rope, and as I looked up, I saw Evan’s frantic expression.
That’s when I noticed the fire already trying to eat through the rope.
It wasn’t going to hold. Making a drastic decision, I climbed faster,
and when I thought I was close enough, I grabbed the woman’s
arm.

“I need you to let go,” I shouted over the raging fire.

She shook her head. “No.”

“I’m going to toss you up to him. This rope is about to burn
through.”

Her eyes widened, and her grip loosened enough for me to put my plan into
action. I wrapped the rope around my leg and used my other to secure my
hold. Keeping one hand on the top of the rope, I swung the woman up toward
Evan.

He leaned over the rooftop, his fingers grasping at her hand. Once
he’d grabbed hold, I let go of her. I watched as he pulled her onto
the rooftop, and then I looked at where the flames were eating through the
rope already.

Time was up.

I kicked the rope free of my feet, holding it in both hands now. Then I
walked sideways to my left a few steps. Calculating the distance between my
current location and the nearest window at the next building, I decided it
was now or never. I ran, my feet pushing against the building until I
reached the end, and then I was soaring through the air. The building was
within reach, when the rope snapped.

My heart pounded in my chest, and I heard a roaring in my ears, as I
started to fall. Thanks to my momentum and mass, I had just enough of an
arced trajectory that I managed to grab hold of a windowsill on my way down.
My shoulder screamed at me, and I grabbed hold of the bricks with my other
hand.

Just as my grip was starting to slip, the window jerked up and another
firefighter looked down at me.

“You going to hang out all day, or come inside?” He
smirked.

“Fuck you. Get me the hell inside the building.”

He helped me over the windowsill and into what appeared to be
someone’s bedroom. “We vacated this building and the one on the
other side of the inferno. Not taking chances of a spark
catching.”

“Good. Now let’s get down to the ground so the captain can chew
my ass out.”

He snorted. “Damn right he will!”

In the stairway, I spotted Evan with the woman and child. Their faces were
streaked with soot, but at least they were alive. I straightened, the weight
of what we’d just accomplished hitting me like a ton of bricks.
Everyone else had given up on them. If I hadn’t ignored the captain,
these two would be dead right now.

 

About the Author

Harley Wylde is an accomplished author known for her captivating MC
Romances. With an unwavering commitment to sensual storytelling, Wylde
immerses her readers in an exciting world of fierce men and irresistible
women. Her works exude passion, danger, and gritty realism, while still
managing to end on a satisfying note each time.

When not crafting her tales, Wylde spends her time brainstorming new
plotlines, indulging in a hot cup of Starbucks, or delving into a good book.
She has a particular affinity for supernatural horror literature and movies.
Visit Wylde’s website to learn more about her works and upcoming events, and
don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter to receive exclusive discounts
and other exciting perks.

 

Author on Facebook, Instagram, & TikTok: @harleywylde

 

Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok:
@changelingpress

 

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Trust is Sacred Teaser Tuesday

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Trust is Sacred cover

(Medically Necessary 3)

 

LGBTQ, Dark Fantasy, Steamy

Date Published: December 13, 2024

Publisher: Changeling Press

 

 

Without trust, nothing is sacred. Not even long-held beliefs.

Oliver’s terrible secret is eating both himself and his would-be mate
alive. He and Amir have been apart for three months, and absence indeed
makes the heart grow fonder. Unfortunately, there’s terror, pain, and
deceit lying between them.

Amir thinks purging and confession are medically necessary for spiritual
and physical well-being. Oliver will stop at almost nothing to hide his
scars.

Can these two be mated in truth or will Oliver’s past and
Amir’s unstated fears push them away before the werewolves’ most
sacred holiday, Winter Solstice?

 

 

Trust is Sacred paperback

Excerpt

Copyright ©2024 Emily Carrington

 

August

 

In a very real sense, Oliver’s heart hadn’t ached this way in
years. It was a mixture of longing and a sweet promise of eventual
homecoming. He’d just sent his lover away on an airplane, back to New
York. Amir would gather together his staff, choose a new doctor to take over
his practice, and then be back down here to live with Oliver.

To become Oliver’s mate.

Werewolves didn’t have spouses. Except when they did. They also
didn’t have Life Dancers. That was a psychic vampire thing, knowledge
Oliver had gained over the last month. Wolves had mates, a name for their
beloved, the person with whom they wanted to spend the rest of their
lives.

He’d had a mate before. This time would be different. He’d
protect his mate. He’d keep him safe, no matter the cost, and he
wouldn’t allow his nightmares to drive them apart. To shove his lover
toward the singular choice of suicide.

He pulled up in front of Llosgia Maxine’s house, where his heart told
him he belonged. Granted, she hadn’t exactly accepted her title of
alpha, or the duties commensurate with that status change. She would,
though. He had faith. Well, mostly he had faith. Sometimes he worried that
Tilthos Charles’s words would come true and Llosgia Maxine would
choose to take up no title at all.

Except, of course, she’d already claimed Director of Werewolf Watch
for herself. Maybe she couldn’t take on that responsibility
and…

The front door opened and Tilthos Charles stepped out, looking even
stronger than he had the night before, when he’d arrived at Llosgia
Maxine’s and asked for a place for himself and his lover to sleep.
Now, in the dimness of false dawn, the alpha above all alphas
shouldn’t have been able to use his limited vision to see more than a
car approaching. However, that didn’t seem to be the case because he
smiled and waved as if he knew exactly who was arriving.

Oliver considered driving away. He didn’t want to hear the political
answer as to why the Kreisha pack was still allowed to exist after all the
shit three of its members had pulled. Geoffrey Huntington, Noah Travers, and
Josiah Cobb had plotted to drive Tilthos Charles mad. They had made it so
hearing his rightful title had caused him physical and psychic pain.
They’d forced him to attack his lover, Luis. Now, though, surely
Tilthos Charles was coming to tell him they’d been forgiven for some
fucked-up political reason that boiled down to the alpha above all
alphas… what? Didn’t want to kill? That might just be it.

The alpha above all alphas’ soft voice was in his head suddenly. Open
the door, Oliver.

Oliver unlocked the doors. He waited for the alpha above all alphas to sit
beside him, or order him to get out of the car, denying him his
escape.

He acknowledged his expectations had no basis in reality, especially
because everything he’d seen of Tilthos Charles when the leader was in
his right mind was favorable. Still, he didn’t actually know how
Tilthos Charles governed. He was only assuming, based on the one alpha he
knew, that Tilthos Charles might have allowed power to go to his head.

“So uncharitable,” the alpha above all alphas said after
opening the door. He sat in the passenger seat, folded his white cane, the
symbol of his visual impairment, and then buckled himself in. “Feel
free to drive if it will make you less edgy.”

“You’re reading my every thought?” Oliver asked.
He’d assumed his shields were better than that.

“Not quite. You’re not projecting everything, I don’t
think, but you’re very unhappy with me and that carries just
fine.”

Oliver relocked the doors and pulled out of the driveway. “Where are
we going?”

“Somewhere that you can drive and listen without getting us in an
accident would be good.”

Oliver grunted.

To his amazement, the leader of most of the world’s werewolves on
this side of the Atlantic laughed. “You sound like Luis when
he’s unhappy. Please tell me what’s bothering you.”

Oliver couldn’t bring himself to accuse the alpha above all alphas of
any wrongdoing. Instead, he asked, “What happened to the six wolves
who attacked you?”

“Huntington, Travers, and Cobb have been placed with different packs,
separated by quite a bit of geography. Their new alphas reassure me their
movements will be closely observed.”

Oliver turned off Llosgia Maxine’s street and just headed south, away
from Washington, DC. He knew he wouldn’t be able to drive in heavy
traffic and listen. “Why are they still alive?”

“I’m not in the habit of killing every single wolf who’s
tried a coup. There would be considerably fewer wolves in the world if I
exacted that sort of revenge. They’re being watched by three alphas I
trust implicitly and I’m sure these bastards will show their true
colors again. And unlike in baseball, they only get two chances.” He
turned his head away from Oliver. “They’re not the only ones
I’m watching. Kreisha Alexander let this go on right under his nose.
At best, the very best, that makes him not perceptive enough.”

He faced Oliver again. “I’m asking you to keep me informed if
he does anything inappropriate, dangerous, or careless. I don’t order
you because I don’t want to step on your agency that way.”

“Please order me,” Oliver blurted.

That got him a raised eyebrow.

“Kreisha Alexander is in the habit of ordering his wolves not to
share things, good or bad, outside the pack. If I have your order first, and
because you outrank him, I’ll be able to tattletale.” He
grimaced. “That came out more bitter than I anticipated or meant.
I’m sorry.”

Tilthos Charles seemed to have caught onto another part of his speech,
however, because he said, “Is there anything you’re forbidden to
share with me?” There was a growl in his voice.

 

About the Author

Emily Carrington is a multipublished author of male/male and transgender
women’s speculative fiction. Seeking a world made of equality, she
created SearchLight to live out her dreams. But even SearchLight has its
problems, and Emily is looking forward to working all of these out with a
host of characters from dragons and genies to psychic vampires. And in the
contemporary world she’s named “Sticks & Stones,”
Emily has vowed to create small towns where prejudice is challenged by a
passionate quest for equality. Find her on Facebook at Shapeshifter Central
or on her website.

Contact Links

Author’s Website

Emily on Facebook

Emily on Twitter

 

Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok:
@changelingpress

 

 

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