Tag Archives: Suspense

Lemon Teaser Tuesday

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Grim Road MC, Book 2

 

Motorcycle Club Romance, Suspense, Age Gap

Date Published: March 8, 2024

 

 

Lemon: I’m settling in at Grim Road in my role as vice president. The
men test me, but it’s all in good fun. I think I enjoy it as much as
they do. Then, out of nowhere, things go horribly sideways. I realize how
much weaker I am physically than everyone else in the club. That weakness
can be a horrible liability. Yeah. Things are going great. Until they
aren’t. I may have bitten off more than I can chew…

Rocket: My little sourpuss is a force to be reckoned with. She takes
everything dished out to her and gives it back in spades. She’s my VP,
but she’s also my old lady. Sometimes, I need to take care of her.
More importantly, she has to let me. That fact is never more apparent than
when a small team of roughnecks think she’s a woman from another club.
They soon find out the error of their ways, but at what cost to Lemon?
It’s time for the president of Grim Road MC to take charge. And
there’s gonna be hell to pay.

Lemon paperback

 

 

Excerpt

 

Lemon

I made it a whole month at Grim Road MC before Falcon threatened to cut off
my dick and feed it to me. I think he forgot I was a girl or something
because I’m as docile as they come. Yep. Passive even!

OK. I’m lying. I liked busting Falcon’s balls just ‘cause
I could. The guys had made me vice president of Grim Road right after Rocket
brought me to the compound. Since then, we’ve all been working on our
trust issues. And by “we,” I mean the men of Grim. I got that
they all had secrets. I got that everyone had things they didn’t want
anyone else to know. Even then, you tell your family. Because it was your
family who would always have your back. Grim Road was family. Rocket’s
family. My family.

Except for Falcon. But he was a work in progress.

“I swear to God, Rocket. If you don’t do something about that
little hellion, I may shoot her.”

“Now, Falcon. You know it’s not nice to threaten to shoot your
vice president.” I just loved taunting him.

“Next time Rocket calls church, I’m askin’ for your
fuckin’ patch.”

I sighed, trying to fight back a smile before I ruined my indifference.
“Are you still sore about your bike? ‘Cause it was totally for a
good cause. Saved Rocket’s life.”

“You know what the fuck this is about, woman!” Falcon’s
hair was wild and sticking out all over the damned place. Looked like
he’d been trying to pull his hair out by the roots. Over and over. And
over.

“I even had the thing fixed for you. Only took a couple weeks in the
body shop, and they assured me it would be good as new. Not a scratch to be
seen.”

“You had them paint it pink!” He had his arms out like he was
going to lunge and choke me to death the second he got the chance, but I
wasn’t worried. First, Falcon was all bark and no bite. At least he
was with me. Remember the family part? Second, he knew Rocket would feed him
to the sharks in very small pieces if he even looked at me cross-eyed.
“Not only did you crash my fuckin’ bike through a door
intentionally
, you disrespected it even more by painting it pink!” He
practically roared the last word. And I was pretty sure there was spit
flying from his lips. Which was just gross. Fucker.

“Tell you what. I’ll apologize to your bike. I’ll even
volunteer to ride beside you when you take her for a test
drive.”

“No way in fuck I’m ridin’ that abomination in public.
I’m surprised Knox let the fuckin’ thing in the compound at
all.”

Knox chose that moment to enter the common room. “Knox didn’t
know what was gonna roll out of that Goddamned trailer or he wouldn’t
have let it in,” he commented.

I grinned, looking over my shoulder at Knox and popped my gum like a bimbo.
“Hey, Knox. Havin’ a good afternoon?”

“Was until that fuckin’ bike showed up.”

“Awesome! Now. Forget all that. It’s not
important.”

“Not important? How the fuck is you having my bike painted pink not
fuckin’ important?” Yeah. Falcon was in a bit of a snit. But
fuck him. If he wanted to be the best patched member of Grim Road — after
me, of course — he needed to learn that there was a method to my madness.
And there was one very huge wrong in this place that needed to be righted. I
figured one month was long enough for everyone involved to start their
penance.

“Because it was sacrificed for the greater good. This is one of those
times, Falcon.”

“What the everlovin’ Christ are you talking about,
Lemon?” Falcon sounded equal parts pissed and resigned.

“I’m talking about Gina.”

That got everyone’s attention. And quit the bitching.

“She good?” Falcon was immediately sober, all his anger at me
evaporating in the space of a word.

“She’s learning to be. In case you hadn’t noticed,
she’s been leaving her house more and more. Had supper in the common
room last night.”

“Yeah. I noticed.” Falcon glanced at Leather, who ducked his
head, shaking it slightly as if he wanted to deny what had happened.
“A few of us made sure she had what she needed.” Falcon gave a
sigh. “I apologized, too. Took several tries before she finally opened
her door. Not that I blame her. She say why she ain’t left? Surely she
knows she can. Right?”

“She knows,” Rocket leaned back on the couch where we sat. He
draped an arm over my shoulder, and I snuggled against him shamelessly. Not
only did it feel good to have his arm around me, but it reinforced my claim
to any club girls in the building. “This is her home now. I promised
to keep her safe, even from men inside my own club.”

“So she trusts you,” Falcon nodded. “I guess that’s
something.”

I snorted. “Nah. She don’t trust Rocket.” My man gave me
the side eye, but flashed a cocky grin too. Like he was proud of me. But,
honestly, what man with me wouldn’t be proud, right? “She trusts
me.”

When Falcon looked to Rocket to confirm, Rocket just smirked. “She
ain’t lyin’, my friend. Gina believes in Lemon. Believes Lemon
can keep her safe. Ain’t gonna lie and say I’m not disappointed
a woman under the club’s protection doesn’t fully trust me, but
I suppose that’s just one of many reasons I have Lemon in my
life.”

“Damned straight, baby.” I leaned in and brushed a kiss over
Rocket’s lower lip. “See me, love me, motherfuckers.” That
got a laugh from everyone, including Falcon.

“Seems like you’ve got that situation under
control.”

“I totally do, Falcon. Which is why I had your Harley painted
pink.”

“Not… seeing how the two go together.” Poor Falcon. He
was really having a hard time. He seemed to have even forgotten he was
supposed to be pissed about the paint job on his bike. This was why I liked
keeping him off-balance. It was so much fucking fun to watch. I knew I
shouldn’t enjoy myself at Falcon’s expense. This was actually
serious stuff. But, honestly, I just couldn’t help myself.

“Because, Gina happens to be fond of the color pink. In fact, she
told me that, if she knew how to ride a motorcycle, she’d save
everything she could to buy her a pink bike. Now, me personally?” I
shook my head. “Don’t see the appeal. However, if Gina likes it,
I think we all owe her way the fuck more than one stupid pink
motorcycle.” I pointed at Falcon. “You ever want to graduate to
officer’s training camp?”

“Officer… what?” Falcon jerked his head back like
I’d slapped him. Which, I mean, I won’t lie and say I
didn’t want to. Not because he deserved it, but because he thought he
deserved it. And I just plain thought beating up on Falcon was fucking fun.
But, not in this instance. Much.

“Well, yeah. You don’t think every officer in this club will be
around forever, do you? Or even want to stay an officer. There will be a
time when your services may be needed in that capacity, though why,
I’m not sure. You’re just as big a dumb fuck today as you were
the day I met you.” I looked him up and down like I was judging him
and finding him lacking. “Gonna take longer than I first thought with
this one,” I muttered.

Falcon took a threatening step toward me, but Rocket growled at him. The
younger man glanced from me to Rocket before slinking back that fucking
threatening step. I smirked.

“One of these days, Lemon,” he growled.

“Yep. One of these days I’ll hand you your balls, and
you’ll probably just stand there wondering what the fuck just
happened. You know. Like you’re doing right now.”

“Christ.”

“Pretty sure Christ had little to do with it,” Leather
muttered. “Satan? Yeah. Possibly.”

I waved them both away. “Satan has a restraining order out on me. He
had nothing to do with it either.”

Knox barked out a laugh before moving from the doorway. “Give it up,
guys. You’re never gonna get one over on that woman.”

“Whose bright idea was it to make her vice president anyway?”
Falcon was back to looking all surly again.

“That’d be me.” Bear, the second biggest man I’d
ever seen in my life moved into the room, crossing from the back to the
front in his even, confident gate. He didn’t pause but passed by
Falcon and smacked him on the back of the head before heading out the front
door to the parking lot.

“Ow, Bear! What the fuck?” Falcon looked ready to do murder,
but I wanted to laugh. God, I loved it here! There was so much glorious
mayhem! And, being vice president, I got to cause as much as I wanted and no
one said anything. Occasionally, Rocket would pull me back, but most of the
time, he let nature take its course.

“Best get on your bike and go find Gina. Give her a few rides, make
her comfortable with everyone here and maybe Lemon will let you paint your
bike black again,” advised Bear.

“Finally!” I threw up my hands in exasperation. “Someone
who understands.” I looked up at Rocket. “You should make him
your vice president. Oh, wait…” I grinned.

Falcon mumbled, but Leather actually nodded his head, his face relaxing a
little, and I knew he got it. “We should all take a turn, Falcon. I
know it’s your bike and all, but if she likes pink Harleys, then I
think we should all take her ridin’. Show her we’ll do anything
to earn her trust.”

I tilted my head at Leather. “You just went up several notches in my
esteem. Maybe we can put you in charge of sensitivity training.”

“Lemon,” Rocket sighed. “They’re doing what you
wanted. Let them work it out.”

“They don’t seem to be able to, though Leather got the right
idea. Kudos to you!” I grinned at Leather. “See if you can get
the other dumbasses who don’t want to admit they did anything wrong to
fall in line. You do, I’ll give you a cookie.”

Surprisingly, Leather grinned. “Yes, madam vice president.” He
sketched me a two-finger salute and sauntered outside. Falcon gave a
dramatic sigh and followed.

“He’s not a bad guy, you know.” Rocket leaned down to
murmur next to my ear.

“Yep. I know. I just like fuckin’ with him. Besides, Gina needs
this. And I think the guys do too.”

“They do. I’m glad you recognize that. Of course, I’m
pretty sure none of them would have voted you in as VP if they hadn’t
known you’d have good instincts with us.”

“How’m I doin’?” I gave him a cheeky grin.

 

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

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

 

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Joker Teaser Tuesday

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Dixie Reapers MC, Book 19

Motorcycle Club Romance, Age Gap, Suspense, 2nd Chances

Date Published: February 23, 2024

Publisher: Changeling Press

 

 

Cleo — My family put me through hell, and I escaped the only way
possible… by marrying a biker locked up in prison. Joker gave me his
name and a way to hide from my family. Until the day they find me…
Now it’s time I return to the husband who doesn’t want me and
hope he doesn’t find out all my secrets — because if he does, I have
a feeling he’s going to make me leave.

Joker — She seemed sweet and innocent. Marrying her wasn’t a big
deal. Then I managed to obtain my freedom, and with it, I decided to set her
free as well. Only one problem. She doesn’t want a divorce. Now Cleo
is living with me, and my club has accepted her as part of our family. None
of us realized she was hiding something that could destroy us, but at the
end of the day, she’s mine and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep
her safe.

 

WARNING: Joker is intended for adult readers 18+ due to bad language,
violence, and adult situations. There’s no cliffhanger involving the
main characters. There is a slight cliffhanger involving secondary
characters, which will be resolved in the next book. Guaranteed happily ever
after, and no cheating!

 

 

EXCERPT

Copyright ©2024 Harley Wylde

Joker

The clanging of metal bars and shouting inmates jolted me awake. Another
day in this hellhole. I blinked against the harsh fluorescent lights as the
guard banged his baton against my cell, barking at me to get up. My joints
creaked in protest as I slid off the thin mattress onto the cold concrete
floor. I’d wasted away in this cage for over a decade, my youth fading
with each endless day.

“Mail,” the guard said, thrusting a letter into my cell.

Only one person wrote to me. Someone I’d never met in person, though
she’d sent me a picture one time. Out of boredom, I’d signed up
for a pen pal program, not expecting much. To my surprise, I’d
received dozens of letters — all from women. One had stood out. A teen girl
named Cleo.

I’d been hesitant to respond. At forty-eight, I’d felt like it
was wrong to reply to her. My morals might be questionable, but I still had
a line I wouldn’t cross. In the end, I’d answered her, and
we’d been writing to each other ever since. She’d needed a
sympathetic ear, and I’d needed a distraction.

I opened Cleo’s latest letter, her looping cursive filling the page.
My light in this darkness. She saw the man beneath the cut, the heart behind
the grim façade. Her letters were a glimpse of the world outside
these walls. She shared her dreams, her troubles, her very soul. And I
confessed things to her I’d never uttered aloud. The abandoned boy who
turned to the club for family, the gnawing loneliness beneath the swagger.
She understood. We were both fighting our own demons.

The guard slammed the bars again. “Chow time, Joker! Look
alive!”

I tucked Cleo’s letter into my pocket, close to my heart. I’d
survive another day in this concrete tomb just to read her words again
tonight. And someday, somehow, I’d be free. I wasn’t sure what
would happen then. We were worlds apart in a lot of ways. Once I left this
place, Cleo would come to be a part of my past. It would be dangerous for us
to keep in touch.

I shuffled into the cafeteria, the din of inmates engulfing me. I kept my
head down as I grabbed my tray of slop and found an empty table. Solitude
was survival in this jungle. Placing my arm around my tray, I shoveled food
into my mouth. In this place, you had to protect what was yours.

My thoughts drifted to Cleo as I forced down the cold mush. She
hadn’t written in weeks. Her family was poison. From what I’d
gathered they were all rotten to the core. She only hinted at the horrors
she’d seen, but I sensed the fear beneath her brave words. At
seventeen, she shouldn’t be worried about surviving. She should be
having fun with her friends, enjoying her high school years, and figuring
out where she wanted to go in life. I hated not being able to do anything
for her, except listen.

My fists clenched, rage simmering through my veins. If they touched one
hair on her head, I’d kill them. She was too pure for this world, an
angel who deserved so much more. I had to protect her, no matter the cost.
Except… the shackles binding me went deeper than this prison. I owed
my club my life and my loyalty. I couldn’t do anything without talking
to them first, and I hadn’t heard from any of them in a long-ass time.
I’d fucked up, and it had felt like they all turned their backs on
me.

The guards herded us to the yard, the sun blinding after days under
flickering fluorescent lights. I found a shady corner and waited. Breathing
in the fresh air meant nothing without freedom. I’d only traded an
interior cage for an exterior one.

A hush fell over the inmates. The warden stormed across the yard, his face
like thunder. He stopped in front of me, his eyes hard. Well, shit. Had I
done something wrong again? It wasn’t often he came in person. Then
again, I wasn’t always nice to the guards. Maybe he was simply
protecting his men.

“You’ve got a visitor, Joker.”

My pulse quickened. No one had come to see me in years. What the fuck was
going on?

The warden didn’t like me. In fact, we’d frequently butted
heads during my incarceration. It had to piss him off that I had a visitor.
The man would do anything to keep me from even one moment of happiness. I
knew if he could, he’d keep me locked up for the rest of my
life.

I followed the warden through the maze of fences and gates until we reached
the visitation room. My breath caught when I saw her. Even though I’d
only seen one picture of her, I recognized her right away.

Cleo.

She looked small and fragile in the plastic chair, her fingers twisting a
tissue. Bruises shadowed under her eyes, barely hidden by makeup. My heart
clenched.

I sat down, picking up the phone. Her eyes flooded with tears as she did
the same.

“Joker,” she whispered. “I’m so
sorry…”

“What happened?”

She glanced around quickly before answering. “My brother found out
about the letters. He was furious. Said no one in the family should
associate with your kind.”

My jaw tightened, fury rising. My kind, huh? Seemed like her brother
wasn’t any better. “Did he hurt you?”

“It doesn’t matter –”

“The hell it doesn’t!” I snarled. “You listen to
me. I’m getting you out of there, you hear me? We’ll leave town,
start over somewhere new.”

“How?” Her voice trembled. “You still have years left of
your sentence.”

I placed my hand against the glass. “Marry me.”

Her eyes widened. “What?”

“Marry me,” I repeated. “You just turned eighteen, right?
So you don’t need your family’s permission. I know the warden
hates me, but… I’ll convince him somehow. He’ll do the
ceremony right here. Then when I get out, we can start over — together, if
that’s what you want.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks. She put her hand against mine, even though
the glass separated us. “Yes. I’ll marry you,
Joker.”

“I’ll find a way to get word to you. If your brother is angry
about us talking, then I can’t send it to your house. Find someone
willing to help you and send me their address. I’ll correspond with
you through them.”

She nodded and wiped away more tears. We talked for another minute, then
our time was up. I watched her walk away and hoped I’d made the right
choice. If this came back to bite me in the ass, it might end up harming her
too.

* * *

It took two weeks to convince the warden. In the end, he only agreed in
order to help Cleo. I stood in a dingy room, still cuffed and wearing my
prison-issued jumpsuit. It wouldn’t be the wedding of her dreams, but
hopefully it kept her safe.

Cleo entered the room in a simple white dress, holding a small bouquet of
daisies. Her smile nearly blinded me. I didn’t know why she looked so
happy. It made me wonder what she thought about this marriage. I had to
admit, she looked beautiful.

We exchanged brief vows. No kiss or embrace could seal our union. It ended
nearly as soon as it had begun. The guards escorted her from the room and
sent me back to my cell. I could only hope changing her name from Cleo
Lathem to Cleo Clemons would help her in some way.

My heart ached, knowing she had to return to that abusive household. I felt
powerless, stuck in this damn cell while she suffered. I slammed my fist
against the concrete in frustration. They couldn’t legally force her
to do anything, but people like that didn’t care about the law.
She’d have to disappear to avoid the danger of living with her family.
At least with her name changed, she’d have a chance to get away.
Hopefully, it would take them a while to figure out she’d gotten
married. I only wished I had some money to give her too.

The next visiting day, her eyes were puffy from crying as she picked up the
phone. “It’s time. I’m leaving this week. Today will be my
last visit with you.”

I hadn’t expected her to ever come here again. Seeing her one last
time was more than enough. I nodded, letting her know I understood.

“Go as far as you can and don’t look back,” I said.

“Will you be okay?” she asked.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ve survived this place this
long. I’ll be fine. Protect yourself, Cleo, whatever it
takes.”

I hung up the phone, forcing her to leave. This was for the best. She
needed a clean break. As much as I’d enjoyed her letters, I hoped she
didn’t write anymore. It was time for her to start living. I’d
miss her like hell. She’d been a bright light in this dismal place.
Without her words to carry me through, I wasn’t sure what would happen
to me. Didn’t matter. I’d possibly die in this place. Even if I
got out, my life was probably halfway over. Assuming I didn’t get
shot, stabbed, or die in some other fun way long before I became an old man.
Cleo was just getting started. There was so much of the world for her to
explore, and I hope she got the chance to see it all.

For me, days passed. Then weeks. Months. I didn’t hear from Cleo
again. Time blurred. I lived one monotonous day after another. Wake up, work
out, eat, work, eat again, sleep. Wash, rinse, repeat.

My thoughts constantly drifted to Cleo when I wasn’t occupied. Was
she eating enough? Getting any sleep? Staying safe from her family’s
crooked dealings?

I wondered where she was now. How far had she gone? Was it a big enough
distance her family couldn’t find her? Part of me wondered if
we’d ever bump into each other again in the future, once I put this
place behind me. It ate at me, not knowing if she was safe or not. Had the
plan worked? Or had I married her for no reason?

 

 

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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Python Teaser Tuesday

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(Dixie Reapers MC)

Motorcycle Club Romance, Age Gap, Suspense

Date Published: January 26, 2024

 

Galina – All my life I’ve been taught to obey men without
question, but when I find out my father has offered my hand in marriage to
Dima, a man who’s already killed two women, I know I’ve had
enough. The Vor offers me a chance to run, and I take it. Living with the
Dixie Reapers MC was supposed to be temporary. When I see one of the club
girls harassing Python, I step in. Maybe I shouldn’t have. I never
thought something so simple would become a complicated situation.

Python – All I wanted was to enjoy the single life forever.
Didn’t matter if the pretty little Russian caught my eye. I
wasn’t the type to settle down. Then she went and claimed me in front
of a club girl. The officers in my club are having far too much fun with
this. I’d planned to keep her at arm’s length — until I found
out she was in danger. With trouble breathing down her neck, I don’t
have a choice. I’ll make her mine in every way that matters. Anyone
dares to touch her, even the Bratva, and I’ll bury them.

WARNING: Python is intended for readers 18+ due to adult situations,
language, and violence.

EXCERPT

Python

 

I didn’t know what the hell the club officers were thinking. Yeah, I
knew the club had agreed to work with the Bratva when it came to helping
women in distress. I got it. They had my support one hundred percent. But
I’d thought we’d give them money, a new identity, and move them
along. So, why was this girl still here? In the past year, none of the women
had stayed longer than a night or two.

“What crawled up your ass?” Sticks asked.

We’d both patched in at the same time and had started prospecting
together as well. It had taken both of us a week or two to stop using our
real names around each other. There were times I still thought of him as
Will.

I pointed to the Russian girl. “Why is she still here?”

“You’d have to ask Grimm, or more accurately, his wife. Oksana
took a liking to Galina. It’s why she’s over there so
much.”

“Isn’t this just asking for trouble? It’s no secret
Oksana is here, or that we know where her mother and sister are located.
What if someone in the Bratva comes nosing around? Oksana might be
protected, but Galina isn’t.”

Sticks smacked me on the back. “Well, unless you’re
volunteering…”

Hell no. The last thing I needed was a woman. My gaze strayed to her again.
I had to admit she was pretty. Not gorgeous or even what I would call
beautiful. For some reason, there was still an innocence to her. How the
hell she’d grown up around the Bratva and not come out the other side
jaded was beyond me.

“Don’t let Wire and Lavender see you eying her like
that,” Sticks said. “You know what happens when they even get a
whiff of interest from one of us.”

I nearly shuddered. Yeah, that was the last thing I wanted to happen. I
tore my gaze away from Galina and went into the clubhouse. A cold beer was
exactly what I needed.

In the past year or two, a lot of changes had occurred not only here, but
with other clubs we called family or friends. Most had done away with the
club whores or set up a separate building for family events since so many
brothers were settling down. It made sense. If I did have a wife and kid, I
wouldn’t want them in the same space those dumb bitches spread their
legs.

As for the Dixie Reapers, this building was the one place you could still
find a woman. At least, after Wire and Lavender vetted them. Anyone wanting
to hang with us went through a background check these days. Too many little
ones running around to risk letting the wrong sort of person in. It had
happened too often already.

I grabbed a cold bottle of my favorite beer from behind the bar and sat at
a nearby table. Only two women were here at the moment, and I didn’t
want anything to do with either of them. Anna was the least clingy of the
two. Once I’d told her I wasn’t interested, she’d mostly
left me alone. Unless she thought I was drunk enough to give her a shot. The
other… Penny was a menace. The woman always latched on and
wouldn’t let go.

I’d no sooner thought her name than she spotted me and headed over.
If I wasn’t trying to keep away from Galina outside, I’d have
left the building like my ass was on fire. Anything to avoid the bitch who
wanted a property cut. And yeah, we all knew what her end game was, even if
she denied it. We could see it in her eyes.

“Did you come here to see me?” she asked, leaning toward me.
The woman practically shoved her tits in my face, and I barely dodged.

“Nope. Wanted a beer.”

She batted her eyes. “You could have had one of those at home. You
know you don’t have to be shy. I’ll give you anything you
want.”

I’d bet she would, and probably something else I most certainly
didn’t want or need right now. A baby in her belly. Bitch was crazy as
fuck, and I wouldn’t put it past her to get pregnant on purpose. I
finished my beer and got up to use the bathroom, hoping she’d be gone
when I got back. No such luck. She’d not only made herself
comfortable, but she’d gotten two beers. The way she licked at one of
them told me it was hers. And if it hadn’t been, it was now.

I stared at the open bottles. We always cautioned women not to accept open
containers. Someone at the Hades Abyss had learned not too long ago men
needed to be wary too. Cotton had gotten screwed over and still hadn’t
recovered from what happened.

“I didn’t spit in it,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“Wasn’t my concern.”

She huffed and took the bottle. After swallowing a mouthful, she handed it
back to me. “Not poisoned either.”

Fine. I might very well regret this later, but I didn’t want to make
a big deal out of it. Slayer and Royal were both across the room. Last thing
I needed was them calling me a little bitch or some shit. I drank the beer
quickly, then stood.

“I’m afraid I’m not good company today.” I made my
way to the front door. Partway there, the room started to tilt and spin.
What the fuck?

I stumbled out onto the porch and down the steps. The entire world looked
like I’d entered a funhouse tunnel. Shaking my head, I tried to make
sense of where I was. The line of bikes blurred and I couldn’t tell
one from another.

A small hand gripped mine and I started to shake it off, until I heard the
soft Russian accent.

“Let me help you.”

Galina. I let her lead me away, but we didn’t make it far before I
heard Penny yelling out my name.

“Wait for me, Python!”

Galina put her lips near my ear and spoke in a low voice. “Do you
want to wait for her?”

“No.”

She gave a nod and helped me walk a little farther. I hadn’t realized
it before, but the car the club had given her sat at the end of the row of
bikes. I didn’t know why she’d parked there, but right now I was
grateful.

“Hey, bitch! Where are you taking my man?” Penny
screamed.

Galina stopped and I felt her turn. She didn’t release me. Only
switched to her other hand, as if she worried I might fall. She wasn’t
wrong. At any moment I could land on my ass. Although, I didn’t think
the pint-size woman was going to be able to hold me up.

“Your man?” she asked. She spit out a string of Russian that
sounded like she was cussing the woman out and I couldn’t hold back my
smile. Even though I felt like shit, I had to admit I liked seeing this side
of Galina. “He’s not yours. He’ll never be
yours.”

Penny sputtered, and it sounded like she was coming closer. Galina managed
to get me to her car and into the passenger seat. She slammed the door about
the time Penny stopped beside her. I couldn’t hear what Galina was
saying, but I could tell from the tone she was pissed. She lit into Penny,
and if I hadn’t thought I might pass out or throw up, I’d have
found it hysterical. She’d done the one thing I hadn’t been able
to. Mostly because I’d have felt like shit. Although, now that I was
certain the bitch had drugged me, I wouldn’t hold back. In fact, once
this passed, I was going to talk to the Pres and get that woman booted
permanently.

Galina got into the car and backed up. Penny ran around to put herself in
front, and Galina revved the engine. I heard the tires spin right before the
car shot forward. My eyes felt so heavy they slid shut, and I missed the
look on Penny’s face. Galina didn’t slow for a few minutes. My
house was toward the back of the compound, and the moment she came to a
stop, I knew she’d brought me home.

She shut off the car and I heard her get out. She opened my door and placed
her hand on my arm.

“Can you stand?” she asked. “Should I get
help?”

Oh fuck no. “My brothers will laugh if they know about
this.”

Shit. That’s right. If I told the Pres, then… I’d have
to think about it tomorrow. Right now, I wasn’t sure how much longer
I’d stay coherent, or able to stand. Galina helped me from the car,
and we walked up to my door. I couldn’t seem to get my keys out of my
pocket.

I felt her hand slide in and grasp the keyring, but it wasn’t all she
touched. Groaning as my cock went rock-hard, I wondered if I’d just
been dumped straight into hell. She froze and I could feel her staring at
me, even if I couldn’t manage to open my eyes.

“Sorry,” I muttered.

She pulled out my keys and got the door open. I tripped over the threshold
and barely stayed upright. Her small hand grasped mine tightly as she led
the way through my home. It was almost as if she knew exactly where she was
going. When we reached my bedroom, I sank onto the side of the bed, and she
kneeled at my feet. Fuck if that didn’t screw with my drug-addled
brain.

She set my boots beside the nightstand, then helped me get my cut off. I
tried to watch her, but the world was spinning too much. Closing my eyes, I
fell back on the mattress. My legs still hung off the side, but I
didn’t care.

“Python, what happened? Should I get someone?”

“Drugged.” At least, I tried to say it. Not sure how it sounded
to her. I could tell my words slurred and my tongue felt heavy. What the
hell had Penny planned to accomplish with me in this state? Then again,
I’d gotten hard when Galina brushed against my cock. It seemed that
part of me worked, even if the rest didn’t.

She did her best to get me all the way onto the bed, and I heard her
panting for breath when she’d finished. I didn’t know what Penny
had dosed me with, so I had no clue how long this would last. The thought of
lying here alone, unable to even get up if I needed to puke or take a piss,
bothered me. That bitch was going to pay when I got through this.

“Stay,” I said, or tried to. Galina seemed to understand. I
felt the bed dip as she sat beside me.

My movements were clumsy, but I managed to pull her down beside me. I
attempted to wrap my arm around her, to hold her closer, but failed
miserably. She sighed and inched closer.

“When I thought of my first time in bed with a man, this wasn’t
what I had in mind,” she said.

My head felt too foggy for her words to really sink in. First time? Wait.
“Virgin?”

She buried her face against my side. “Stop. Don’t make fun of
me.”

Before I could say anything else, the darkness started to pull me
under.

 

 

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

Pre-Order Today

 

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Blades Teaser Tuesday

Blades banner

 

Blades cover

(Devil’s Fury MC)

Motorcycle Club Romance, Age Gap, Suspense

Date Published: Dec 29 2023

 

 

China — I came to the US to further my education. I never counted on
falling for a gruff biker who was so much older than me. But Blades never
hesitated when I told him I was pregnant. He was the best man I’d ever
met… until he went to prison. All our lives unraveled after that. My
daughter was taken from me, and I was sold. I thought I’d never escape
the hell of being exploited and abused, until he walked through the doors
again, looking like a wrathful angel. He may have saved me, but do I really
deserve his love?

Blades — Being falsely accused of murder was bad enough. Finding out
someone stole my woman and daughter was another. Our precious little Meiling
found herself a good man, and she’s safe. Now I need to save her
mother. My China. I’m going to gut everyone who dared to touch her and
send them all straight to hell… then I’ll do whatever it takes
to prove to her she’s safe with me, and that I’ve never stopped
loving her. China and Meiling are my entire world, and I’m going to
protect them — this time.

 

WARNING: Guaranteed happily ever after, no cliffhanger, no cheating.
Recommended for readers 18+ due to adult situations, language, and
violence.

 

 

Blades tablet

EXCERPT

 

Copyright ©2023 Harley Wylde

 

I eyed the man in front of me. It had been a long ass time since I’d
seen the Devil’s Fury cut. “So, one of you finally came to see
me. No one’s ever brought a pretty woman with them,
though.”

The name Dingo wasn’t one I was familiar with. Then again, he looked
young. Probably started prospecting after I’d been locked up. He put
his hand on the woman’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

“You’re Robert Young?” she asked.

“Don’t go by that name anymore. I’m Blades. Who’s
looking for Young?”

She took a breath and seemed to be steeling herself. I should have been the
one preparing. Her next words would have knocked me on my ass if I’d
been standing.

“I’m Meiling Shan Young. Your daughter, if my birth certificate
is correct.”

I fell back against the metal chair. My daughter? “Fucking
hell.”

“So you do know who I am?” she asked.

“Yeah. Told your mother not to bring you here. Why did she let you
come now?” In all this time, China had stayed away just as I’d
demanded. Had something happened to bring my daughter here after all these
years?

“She didn’t. I don’t even remember her,” Meiling
said.

My gaze shot to Dingo. Who the hell was he? Why had he brought her here?
“Are you responsible for her being here? How she’d get mixed up
with the club? I told Xi-wang to keep away from the Devil’s
Fury.”

“We don’t know yet what happened to Xi-wang. Shortly after you
were locked up, your daughter went into foster care and her mother vanished
without a trace,” Dingo said. “As to why she’s with
me… she’s my wife.”

I shot to my feet. “Like fuck she is!”

After everything I’d been through to keep them safe, this had to
happen? I didn’t know how she’d met this bastard, but I’d
see to it he was buried six feet under. How dare he touch my precious
child?

“Sit down, old man,” Dingo said. “She’s been
accepted by the club as my ol’ lady, and we’re legally married.
Besides, she could be carrying your grandchild.”

I felt my blood pressure rising and wanted nothing more than to wring his
neck. Slowly, I took my seat. Going after him right now wouldn’t do me
any good. If my daughter liked him, then it would only hurt my relationship
with her — assuming I ever had the chance to have one.

“Why the fuck are you here?” I asked, focusing on Dingo.

“We need some answers. Mei doesn’t remember her mother, and
never knew about you. In fact, her birth certificate was buried and a false
one put in its place. You tried to keep her a secret, but it’s time to
talk.”

I didn’t like it, but they weren’t the only ones who needed
answers. They said my daughter couldn’t remember her mother. Where the
hell was China? If I found out someone had hurt her, I was going to
slaughter everyone responsible. “Fine. I’ll tell you what I
know, then you explain what’s really going on.”

I told them how I met Meiling’s mother, about us falling in love, and
me keeping the two of them a secret from the club. Everything up until I
went to prison. After that, I lost track of China. I’d thought she was
only listening to me and keeping away as I’d told her to do. I should
have found a way to check up on her.

Meiling slumped in her seat. “So you don’t know what happened
to her, or how I ended up in foster care?”

“Nope. I never even heard she was missing. No one ever came to ask me
about you, but you were mine legally. If someone finds out what happened, I
sure the fuck want to know,” I said.

“Outlaw is working on it,” Dingo said. “He’s a
hacker for the club. Only thing we know for sure is the foster family who
had Meiling…” Dingo stopped mid-sentence.

I wanted to ask what the hell a hacker was, but more importantly, what was
it he didn’t want to tell me? If it had to do with my daughter, then I
deserved to know. He might be married to her, but she was my baby first and
foremost.

Meiling met my gaze. I knew whatever they were hiding would gut me.
“He doesn’t want to tell you.”

“Did they hurt you?” I asked.

“They made her into a whore by the age of fourteen,” Dingo
said. Even I could hear the pain in his voice.

I slammed my fists into the table, and everything went red. I roared out my
rage, standing so fast the chair fell over. I ripped the chain free of the
table and continued to pound the metal surface, denting it. Guards rushed
in, and I knew they were going to put me in solitary if I didn’t calm
down, but I couldn’t. I wanted to make them all suffer. Every last
person who’d harmed my baby needed to die, and I wanted to be the one
to do it.

Dingo held up a hand, cautioning them to stay back. “Give him a
minute. We gave him bad news.”

Bad news? I nearly laughed. That was putting it mildly. Finding out my
favorite motorcycle had turned to rust would be bad news. Discovering my
China had moved on and found someone else would be bad news. Hearing someone
turned my daughter into a prostitute while she was still a kid made me want
to set the entire world ablaze.

“No. Fuck that shit.” I looked from my daughter to Dingo.
“I didn’t fucking kill those people. You find out who did, get
me out of here, and I’ll handle the men who hurt my
daughter.”

“I didn’t hear that,” one of the guards muttered.
“Did. Not. Fucking. Hear. It.” He walked out, dragging the other
one with him. At least they had some sense.

“Are you trying to say you’re innocent?” Meiling
asked.

I gave a bark of laughter. Innocent? Me? Not hardly. “No, daughter.
I’m far from innocent, but I didn’t commit the murders I was
accused of. If Outlaw can find out what happened with your situation, then
maybe he can help with mine. When I got locked up, there wasn’t anyone
capable of digging up that kind of dirt, not within the club, and certainly
no one who gave a shit about me. You get me out of here, and I’ll make
sure they all fucking pay.”

“On one condition,” Dingo said.

He had some nerve adding a stipulation. Was he trying to keep me away from
my daughter?

“What’s that, boy?” I asked.

“You give your blessing for me and Mei to be together.” He
cleared his throat. “I love her, and I will love and protect any
children we have together. If we’re ever blessed with
any.”

“You’re an idiot,” Mei told him, but I saw the affection
in her gaze. “But I love you too.”

The way he smiled at the words told me enough. The bastard was head over
heels for my little girl, and since they were already married, I might as
well learn to live with it.

“Fine. You have my blessing, as long as you make her happy. Fuck up,
and I’ll Goddamn bury you where they’ll never find your
body,” I said.

The look he gave me assured me we were on the same page. I hoped like fuck
the club was a better place than it had been when I got locked up. If it
wasn’t, I’d need to find a way to get Meiling away from there.
It didn’t matter if she was married to this little shit or not.
I’d do whatever it took to keep her safe. I’d failed her until
now. Never again.

“I know I’m a stranger to you, girl, but I’m your dad. I
get out of here, and I’ll make things right for you. I don’t
expect you to call me anything other than Blades, until I’ve earned
the right to be called anything else.”

“We’ll have to agree to disagree,” Meiling said.
“Daddy.”

I felt my throat grow tight and my eyes stung. I flashed her a smile,
hoping she knew how much it meant for me to hear her call me Daddy.
I’d missed out on everything. Her first steps. First words. And
because I hadn’t been there to keep them safe, someone had tried to
destroy my family. Once I was free of this place, I’d seek
retribution. I only hoped it didn’t take them too long.

My daughter came closer and put her arms around me. I knew we weren’t
supposed to touch but fuck all of them. I hugged her tight, wanting to
remember this moment forever.

“Love you, Meiling. Always have,” I said, my voice a littler
gruffer than usual. “Even if I can’t get out of here, remember
that. You were wanted, and you were loved. Never doubt it for a
moment.”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

* * *

I hadn’t realized they would have me freed within twenty-four hours.
I’d spent eighteen years in prison for something I didn’t do.
All this time, I’d thought my woman was safe. Off living her life,
providing for our child. How could I have been so wrong? I knew about the
evil in the world. Faced it every fucking day, even before I’d gotten
locked up. It never once crossed my mind that darkness would touch my two
girls, especially since I’d made sure to keep them away from the
club.

It had taken a month to handle all the people who’d hurt my daughter
and to find my precious China. She’d been dumped in a brothel not too
far over the state line. From what the hackers had found, it looked like she
was still there. If she wasn’t, I’d beat the hell out of
everyone until I got some answers. One way or another, I was bringing her
home.

Pulling into the parking lot of the Silk Purse, my heart hammered in my
chest. It would be my first time seeing her in so damn long. Did she even
remember me? Had they completely broken her?

I got off the bike and headed inside. The moment I saw her my fucking heart
broke. My beautiful girl was just as stunning now as she’d been
before, even with the scars clearly visible on her face and arms, and a few
silver threads in her hair. She gave me a slight bow as I drew closer, but
her eyes never met mine.

“Welcome to the Silk Purse. What will be your pleasure
tonight?” she asked, her voice still holding the accent I’d so
loved all those years ago.

“My pleasure?” I asked. She still didn’t look up.
“I came to take my woman home. Our daughter needs her.”

She went still, completely frozen. Slowly, she lifted her head and her gaze
locked with mine. The Xi-wang I’d known was there, but just barely. I
could see her, but I could also see the road of pain she’d traveled
while we’d been apart.

“Xi-wang.”

“Robert?” she asked softly. “You went to prison for
murder.”

“Didn’t do it.” I reached for her, tugging her against
me. “But I did kill a few people since then. They all deserved
it.”

I stroked her cheek and wished I could turn back the clock. She’d had
my heart the moment we locked eyes that first time.

 

 

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

 

Preorder Today

 

 

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Sophia von X Blitz

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Sophia von X cover

Heist Crime, Religious Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Adventure

Date Published: March 2020

 

 

“Sophia von X” is a 2020 Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal Winner
in the Fiction – Religious Theme genre!

It was supposed to be a vacation, the trip to a newly discovered tomb of
Jesus…

When Sabina Ferrara was driving to Bingerbruck, Germany, she was hoping to
put a painful marriage behind her. Certain unforeseen events turned against
her, and during a visit to Christ’s tomb, she meets Thomas von Essen
– a dangerous thief who is hiding behind the name of a decent family,
pretending that he is a famous archaeologist. Against her will, Sabina is
dragged into the middle of the stealing of biblical artifacts, killings, and
shootings. She ended up attracting the attention of an unknown enemy from
Jerusalem, a wicked man called Papa Zen. A powerful mogul who knows too much
about Sabina and her mysterious birthmark. She is the one he was looking for
so long…

12 lost pages from the Bible

Car chases, guns, and fights

Yakuza and Ndrangheta families

Palermo, Istanbul, Jerusalem

Deaths, tears, broken hearts

Sophia von X is a story of violence, obsession, secrets and tragedy, lies,
hate, and love.

 

About the Author

Victoria Ray

SE Crème de la Crème author Victoria Ray lives in a small
town 62 miles west of Stockholm. She has garnered much acclaim for her So
Absurd It Must Be True series and her Sophia von X thriller.

Victoria is a finalist for the prestigious Readers Favorite Contest and has
been nominated for a Book Excellence Award for original writing. When she is
not writing, Victoria spends most of her time reading, cooking, traveling
the world, walking with her dogs, and catching her favorite Gota Lejon
shows. An admitted sweets fanatic, she feeds her addiction by visiting the
local bakery April on Sunday afternoons.

Keep in touch with Victoria via Instagram: @victoriaray_nb

Visit Ray’s blog on WordPress – www.raynotbradbury.blog

Contact Links

Website

Purchase Link

Amazon

 

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