Limitless (+ Giveaway)

Limitless
by Kaylene Winter
*A Less Than Zero Rockstar Romance, #2
*Publication date: October 9th, 2020
*Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

“She snuck up on me and stole my heart…”

Sexy Viking drummer Jace Deveraux used his genius marketing skills to help propel Less than Zero (LTZ) to the top.

Friends-with-benefits was the only thing he was capable of.

Until free-spirited social media influencer Alexandria LeRoux made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.

Their secret, spontaneous global hookups were decadent, erotic, extraordinary.

For the first time in his life, Jace wants it all

Including a future with Alex.

Will one fateful night destroy his chance with her forever?

“I’ll travel the world for him…”

Ethereal animal-lover Alex had one goal in mind:

Conquer playboy Jace before they both left Seattle.

Her plans for him certainly didn’t include forever.

But their first time was so sublime, it ruined her for anyone else

What’s a girl to do?

Enjoy him in as many countries as possible, that’s what.

Except Alex has her own dreams and they’re already in motion.

Will Jace ever follow her for a change?

Their lives orbit on different courses, but gravity always seems to pull them back together…

Unless a blast from the past blows their chance to smithereens.

LIMITLESS is book 2 in the Less Than Zero Rockstar Romance Series.

Goodreads / Amazon

Now here's an excerpt for your reading pleasure.

“Please tell me there are beers here.” Without thinking, I ripped off my sweaty t-shirt and grabbed a replacement LTZ shirt out of my bag.

“Um, yeah. Over there.” Alex’s eyes were transfixed at my bare torso as she pointed toward the deck. 

“Great. Well, let’s go.” I gestured, flexing my biceps. She quickly looked away, embarrassed at being caught ogling me.

Externally, I kept a neutral face but internally I was secretly pleased that she liked what she saw. Having a hot, young woman like Alex find you attractive wasn’t the worst thing in the world. Even if I’d never do anything about it.

We headed toward the makeshift bar on the deck. I grabbed a Manny’s and she grabbed a Coke.

“Sucks that me and Zoey can’t drink in front of all of the parents.” Alex pouted. “God, I can’t wait to be twenty-one. Or to be somewhere it doesn’t matter.”

“Ah, it’s not all that different.” I laughed.

“How old are you?” Alex asked.

“Twenty-three.” I smiled. “Too old for you.” 

God, her eyes were the most amazing combination of blue with dark flecks. Her skin a smooth, caramel-colored tan with the slightest pink tinge on her cheeks. With only a hint of mascara and lip gloss, she was quite possibly the most naturally gorgeous woman I’d ever seen.  Girl.  Not that I’d ever, ever, ever do anything about it.

“True, you’re an old man.” Alex’s eyes crinkled when she laughed. “You’re practically retirement age.”

“Ha ha.” I grinned.

“So, Zoey and Ty have really hit it off.” Alex gestured over to where our friends were tangled together, giving each other googly eyes. “They’re a little over the top.”

“Ty’s never had a girlfriend before, so she must be pretty cool.” I knew how girls worked, especially best friends. I wasn’t going to give up any intel to Alex on my man Ty.

“Was that redhaired girl at the club your girlfriend?” Alex cocked her hip and pulled a long drink on her soda. I couldn’t help but watch her lips as she took a swallow of her Coke, thinking that she was more beautiful than the models who usually advertised the beverage. Again, not that I’d ever do anything about it.

“Um, no.” I raised an eyebrow at her.

“Hmmm.  She raised her eyebrow back at me.

“We’re leaving on tour for six months.” I sputtered.

“Uh huh.” She held my gaze.

“She’s not my girlfriend.” I huffed. “Now is not the time for a girlfriend.”

“I said the same thing to Zoey.” Alex looked at me directly. “She’s going to college in the fall, it seems a little irrational to get serious about a dude this summer.”

“Well, I like to tend my own garden. Ty can tend his.” I glanced around, not super interested in the way the conversation was heading.

“Fair enough.” Alex took the hint good-naturedly, absentmindedly playing with a few of the bangle bracelets on her wrist. “I’m not going to college, I want to travel the world. It’s pissing my dad off to no end.”

“Really? Where will you go?” I was genuinely surprised, figuring Zoey and Alex were attached at the hip.

“Everywhere! That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about. I figure if I can get a good following on Instagram, maybe I could even start funding my travel that way.” She gestured excitedly. “I know it will take a few months, but maybe you know some shortcuts or ways to get there faster.”

“Hmmm, well, I have a marketing degree but in real life I’m not an expert at all. It’s been a bit of trial and error with the LTZ account. Basically, it’s all about watching your analytics and seeing what is working and what isn’t and just doing more of what resonates.” I explained. 

“Well, it will be a piece of cake then,” Alex said sarcastically.

“Look, I can help you get started, I’ve discovered a few shortcuts.” I took another pull of my beer.

“Oh, for the love of God. Get a room,” Alex muttered when her attention was diverted to the show our friends were putting on.

Ty and Zoey were full-on making out in the middle of the backyard and everyone was trying to avert their eyes, which was nearly impossible. I started laughing. Clearly, they didn’t care at all who saw. Why should I?

“Well, Alex the adventuress?” I nudged her with my shoulder. “Are you gonna stare all night or should we figure out a way to make you famous?”

“Yes, please. I’ll need a project because I’m pretty sure that I won’t be seeing much of Zoey for the rest of the summer.” Alex laughed.

I couldn’t help but flash her a smile, hoping my dimples were on full display. Chicks dug my dimples.

“So, um, Jace, just so you know I don’t want to be another annoying Instagram model. No cheesy, posey, pouty stuff. I mean, I’ll do what I need to do, but I want to find a clever way to travel and also raise awareness about animal rights.” Alex said as we walked over to an open bench seat.

“Piece of cake.” I followed her. “No fish lips, only fish.”

Meet the Author

When she was only 15, Kaylene Winter wrote her first rocker romance novel starring a fictionalized version of herself, her friends and their gorgeous rocker boyfriends. After living her own rockstar life as a band manager, music promoter and mover and shaker in Seattle during the early 1990’s, Kaylene became a digital media legal strategist helping bring movies, television and music online. Throughout her busy career, Kaylene lost herself in romance novels across all genres inspiring her to realize her life-long dream to be a published author. She lives in Seattle with her amazing husband and dog. She loves to travel, throw lavish dinner parties and support charitable causes supporting arts and animals.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have you ever had a fantasy about a rock star?

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Relentless Habit (+ Giveaway)

Relentless Habit
by Karen Renee
* (O-Town, #1)
* Publication date: September 1st 2020
* Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Cecilia

I moved to Orlando for a fresh start.

Nobody could know my secret.

Catching the attention of the hottest DJ in all of Orlando wasn’t in the plan.

He’s got moves, and they’re not just good. They are good.

Like the beats he spins in the booth, I fall fast for him and his crazy family.

When he finds out about my past, it won’t just break my heart but also crush my soul.

Brock

The third time I saw her at a crowded club, I had to have her.

After our first kiss, I knew she was a habit I would never want to break.

Knowing what she hid from me reinforces what I’ve known for so long. Women cannot be trusted.

Even knowing the worst, I can’t stay away from her.

But when push comes to shove, will I be able to keep her safe?

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Now here's an excerpt for your reading pleasure.

“You better not be settin’ up a fuckin’ Uber.”

My eyes narrowed. “I ‘better not be?’ Did I hear you right?”

“Damn straight,” he said, and snatched the phone out of my hand.

I gasped. “What are you doing? It’s time for me to get out of here, and obviously you have other things going on with your father here. Well, I’m assuming he’s your father, but… gracious, I’m babbling. It’s clear your family is here. I’m just gonna go. So, give me my phone, Brock.”

I couldn’t tell if he cleared his throat or swallowed laughter, but a strange sound came from where the older man stood and Brock and I both looked to him.

“Save it, Pop,” he bit out.

I glared at Brock. “That wasn’t nice. Seriously? You talk to your dad that way?”

A wheezing sound came from the man, and I knew he was holding back laughter.

Brock glared back at me, but his words were directed at his Pop. “Shit ain’t funny, Pop.”

“Sure seems that way from where I’m standing,” a new voice put in.

I looked to the open doorway and saw a sweatpants-but-no-shirt wearing man who could be nobody but Brock’s brother, Gabe.

“Fabulous,” I muttered under my breath.

“Fuck off, Gabe.” Brock said over his shoulder. He stepped closer to me. “If you would’ve listened—” Brock started.

“Yeah! If I would’ve listened, things would be all kinds of awkward right now. No thanks. I’m just going to—”

“If I can step in here, miss. You’re right. I’m Brock, and Gabe’s, father,” he said, jerking his head toward Gabe. “Neither of them have anything going on with me exactly. I decided to drop by, unannounced, to take them to breakfast. I do this once, twice a month, when the spirit moves me.”

“More like when Marnie moves him,” Gabe muttered.

“Gabriel. This is the first time I’m meeting this woman. The least you can do is keep the smart-ass in check.”

I couldn’t help but laugh because that sounded just like something my mother would say to me or Tennille if the tables were turned.

As my laughter waned, I thought I heard a strange groan from Brock. He turned toward his father. “Pop, this is Cecilia. Cecilia, this is my pop, Warren Sullivan.”

I stepped forward extending my hand as Warren approached. He took my hand and raised it to his lips. “Pleasure to meet you, Cecilia,” he murmured just before he brushed his lips against my knuckles.

No one had ever greeted me like that, and I was flabbergasted. So I muttered the only word that came to mind, “Likewise.”

Meet the Author

Karen Renee is the award-winning author of the Riot MC series, the Beta series, and upcoming O-Town series. She has been writing since she was a teen, but has only recently brought her dream to life. Karen spent years working in the wonderful world of advertising, banking, and local television media research. She is a Jacksonville native, as well as a proud wife and mother. When she’s not at the soccer field or cooking, you can find her at her local library, the grocery store, in her car jamming out to some tunes, or hibernating while she writes and/or reads books.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub

Thanks for stopping by today. Do you think we are sometimes drawn to people that we know are bad (or bad for us) just because we know we shouldn't?

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Quasi Redux (+ Giveaway)

Quasi Redux
by Christina Bauer
* (Angelbound Origins, #8)
* Published by: Monster House Books
* Publication date: September 29th, 2020
* Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult

“Myla is a magnificent heroine, fierce and outspoken, hilarious and mischievous … And did I mention that her demon tail is sentient? Best. Sidekick. Ever.” – The Nocturnal Library

Myla Lewis has her life back. Wife. Mother. Queen. Great Scala. Queen of the Thrax. Yay! Then one day, Myla runs across a supernatural waterfall that makes her igni screech like crazy. Our heroine speaks the fateful words, “Some days, I wish I weren’t the Great Scala.”

The waterfall grants her wish.

A moment later, Myla is back at Purgatory High. No husband. No child. No powers beyond her old quasi days. And without Myla around as the Great Scala, all quasis now live under Armageddon’s rule. That sucks. Hard. So Myla sneaks into Antrum—she simply must find Lincoln and figure this out. Once she arrives, two problems arise.

First, her husband doesn’t know her. At all.

Second, Lincoln is married to someone else.

Fuuuuuuu…

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Now here's an excerpt for your reading pleasure.

 QUASI REDUX Selection – Lincoln!!!

 

EXCERPT – QUASI REDUX (Angelbound Origins #8)

I’ve found Lincoln. At last.

This is my chance. Sure, some crazy magic erased his memory, but this is Lincoln. My Lincoln. I’ll explain things to him. Afterward, we’ll fix this together. That’s how it’s always worked before.

Across the cavern, Lincoln scales up a climbing wall. A small group of younger guys in tunics and leather pants watch him move. This is a training session for the thrax nobility, just as I suspected.

So far, so good.

Lincoln clutches onto the wall with his right hand. Muscles strain in his face and body. All the while, my guy’s voice stays low and growly as he explains climbing stuff. In my mind, it’s a lot of blah blah blah ripped arms blah blah blah tight butt.

Did I mention that Lincoln is buck naked except for a pair of cargo pants? He is.

Here’s the problem. I’ve two inner demons—lust and wrath. And watching my guy right now? It makes my lusty side wakes up with a big HELL to the Oh.

What a disaster.

At this moment, I should be plotting on how to approach Lincoln. Instead, I can’t help but notice that single bead of sweat running down my guy’s abs… only to disappear into the waistline of his pants. My inner lust demon heats my blood with desire.

If I keep ogling my guy’s very yummy body, I’ll end up tackling him in front of everyone.

Which is a thought at that…

--end of excerpt--

To find out more: https://tinyurl.com/redux-mania

Meet the Author

Christina Bauer knows how to tell stories about kick-ass women. In her best selling Angelbound series, the heroine is a part-demon girl who loves to fight in Purgatory’s Arena and falls in love with a part-angel prince. This young adult best seller has driven more than 500,000 ebook downloads and 9,000 reviews on Goodreads and retailers. The first three books in the series are now available as audiobooks on Audible and iTunes.
Bauer has also told the story of the Women’s March on Washington by leading PR efforts for the Massachusetts Chapter. Her pre-event press release—the only one sent out on a major wire service—resulted in more than 19,000 global impressions and redistribution by over 350 different media entities including the Associated Press.

Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.

Blog / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn / Website

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Isn't it fascinating how authors create such vivid worlds and we get to visit without all the hassle of airports?

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Changed (+ Giveaway)

Changed
by Vicki Stiefel
* (The Made Ones Saga, #2)
* Publication date: August 13th 2020
* Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

What if you could be young again? Would it be a dream come true or truly a nightmare?

That’s the startling reality retired circus trapeze artist Breena Balážová awakens to on the world of Eleutia in her own re-engineered younger body. For a woman whose death on Earth was inches away, it seems like a second chance at life. But in this parallel world, where horses fly and animals and humans are symbionts, Bree is intended as breeding stock to balance the plummeting female birthrate.

As she searches for her missing sisters, who were pulled to Eleutia with her, Bree also must survive assassination attempts, the growing threat of war, and her unexpected attraction to the arrogant animal Clan Alpha, Gato, a man with terrible burdens and secrets.

The animal Clans join forces to combat a dark conspiracy that will shake the foundations of their world, even as Bree’s search for her sisters grows more desperate and dangerous.

If Bree has any hope of finding her sisters and fulfilling her own destiny, she and Gato must carry out a perilous deception, their success or failure deciding not only their own fate, but that of all Eleutia.

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Here's an excerpt for your reading pleasure.

Fukkes, lead Alchemic (scientist and unacknowledged controller of Eleutia) always has demands for the Cat Alpha, Gato.

 ****

Fark! Gato was disgusted after his vidcon with Fukkes as he clicked off the Alchemic feed to his den’s vidscreen. The Made One Kitlyn had almost gotten herself killed by two traitors who illegally control-chipped two of their cats. Now that shoting Alchemic Fukkes said another Made One was in his territory, and Gato was to retrieve her. 

Where? He had asked.

In your territory, Fukkes replied.

CatHome is millions of acres!

Find her, was all Fukkes’ said.

With the male-female birth ratios having reached eighty-to-twenty, Eleutia had grown desperate. The Made Ones helped stave off civilization’s demise with their predilection to birth females. Yet this missing one was not the first the Alchemics had lost, but the second. Something was seriously wrong with their scientists. Made Ones always arrived in luxurious surroundings, yet the Alchemics had pulled two Essences from the parallel world of Earth only to lose both—Kitlyn and now this Breena, her sister.

Gato would find the lost Made One. Naturally, he would, though the arrival of each new Made One only increased his feelings of the wrongness of stealing a woman from her home world, leaving the dead flesh, and pulling her Essence to Eleutia. The Alchemics never asked, they took, and even if those taken were near death or dying, few questioned the process. When had Eleutian ethics gone missing? When had his?

He knew, down to the exact minute, and it sickened him.

The Made One Kitlyn could not know that her sister was the “missing” Made One. As if he needed this, with The Challenge to win Kitlyn beginning in a few days. A Challenge he had to win, by orders of the Alchemics.

He’d find the lost Made One and hand her off to her makers, to Fukkes. Two Made Ones at CatHome were one too many.

Meet the Author

Vicki’s fantasy romantic suspense series, The Afterworld Chronicles, launched with Chest of Bone, followed by Chest of Stone and Chest of Time. She is currently pounding the keys on her series’ fourth novel, Chest of Fire, and the first in a new series, The Made Ones Sags: Altered.

Her mystery/thrillers include Body Parts, The Dead Stone, The Bone Man, and The Grief Shop, a Daphne du Maurier prize winner. All feature homicide counselor Tally Whyte. All are available as ebooks.
She co-wrote (with Lisa Souza) and photographed the 10 Secrets of the LaidBack Knitters. With her late husband, William G. Tapply, she ran The Writers Studio workshops in creative fiction.

Vicki taught fiction writing and modern media writing at Clark University.

She loves both a well-crafted sentence and unlocking the doors of a student’s imagination.
She grew up in professional theater and planned to become an actress, with a bent for song and dance. She didn’t. Instead, she’s been a professional photographer, a high-school teacher, a hamburger slinger, a scuba-shop manager, and an editor.

She’s Blake’s and Ben’s mom, her favorite role of all.

Her passions include scuba diving and fly fishing and knitting; photography and movies; vinho verde and bourbon (not together!); Maine lobster and chocolate (also not together!); and musical comedy scores, which she sing in the shower, unfortunately not an Equity venue; and a fascination with people in all walks of life.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Would it be a dream come true for you if you could be young again or would you not want to go through all the issues of growing up again?

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Secret Legacy (+ Giveaway)

It's a pleasure to welcome author Carissa Andrews here today as part of her Xpresso Book Tour for her new release, SECRET LEGACY, the first installment in her Windhaven Witches series.

Come again to read an excerpt and for a chance to enter Carissa's giveaway.

Secret Legacy
by Carissa Andrews
* (The Windhaven Witches #1)
* Publication date: September 15th, 2020
* Genres: Adult, Paranormal

☆☆~~ 50% of Royalties Donated to the American Cancer Society! ~~☆☆

Nestled in the woods of Windhaven, Blackwood Manor waits to unleash a dark and deadly legacy…

When Autumn Blackwood shows up at Windhaven Academy for the Witching Stick Orientation, she hopes to find out what dormant powers she could possibly possess to have been accepted to the elite supernatural school. Instead, the academy is in chaos as everyone frantically hunts for two missing girls.

But as school begins with Autumn no closer to figuring out her powers, strange occurrences start to follow her everywhere. Even at home, Blackwood Manor keeps many secrets, and Autumn can’t escape its haunting past.

New friends urge her to learn more about her family’s history in order to unlock her powers and make sense of what’s happening at Blackwood Manor, but Autumn’s not so sure. Once an accident brings Autumn face-to-face with death, however, she realizes her gifts are tied to a legacy that can either save or doom them all…

Fans of Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, Joe Hill’s Locke & Key, or MR Forbes’ Necromancer: The Complete Series will love The Windhaven Witches.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Now an excerpt for your reading pleasure.

“Right,” he nods. “I suppose you’ll need the Wi-Fi password. It’s YBG0n3. Wanna write that down?”

“Nah, I’ll just add it to my phone now. Hang on,” I say, taking my phone out of my pocket.

As soon as I get it entered and logged in, I lean against the edge of the breakfast bar, unable to truly grasp the sheer size of this place. I mean, I knew my Dad had a big house, but for some reason, I didn’t realize that translated into having money. It’s weird how when you’re a kid, you don’t think of those things. But now, it’s like moving in with a secret superhero or something.

“Our last name isn’t really Wayne, is it?” I blurt out.

Dad pulls up short and snickers. “Ha—no. Blackwood’s as good as it gets, sweetie.”

“Just checking,” I say, grinning sheepishly.

The two of us stand in awkward silence for a moment before I crack open the Redbull and take a sip.

“So,” I start.

“So—” Dad repeats.

“I guess, I’ll head back to my room and get situated.”

“Of course. Yeah. You do what you need to do,” Dad nods.

I nod and cast a tiny wave his direction. “Thanks, Dad. See you in the morning.”

“Night, sweetie” he says. I can tell he’d like me to stay a bit longer, though, because his smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes. 

I make my way out into the entryway and down the hallway leading to my room. Suddenly, the same cold sensation from earlier flashes over me. I shudder and turn to look over my shoulder.

This old house must be super drafty.

I turn back around, taking a few more steps, when I swear I hear a woman’s voice whisper, “Welcome home, Autumn.”

  Meet the Author

Author Carissa Andrews

 “An author emerges from the depths of Minnesotan waters. Sci-fi/Fantasy is my pen of choice.”

Carissa Andrews is a Minnesota-based genre-bending author who writes a combination of science fiction, fantasy, and dystopia. When not writing her own books, she’s busy reading them.

Carissa’s internationally bestselling trilogy, The Pendomus Chronicles, is now in digital, print, and audiobook formats. She has hit the scene as an up and coming speculative fiction author who uses a mix of scifi and fantasy, twisted in modern mythology and alternative history. Check out The Final Five, Oracle, Awakening, and Love is a Merciless God.

Carissa has big plans for 2020. Check out her upcoming series, The Windhaven Witches.

For more information on their release, visit Carissa Andrews’ author website: www.carissaandrews.com and sign up for her newsletter notifications.

She lives in central Minnesota with her husband and brood of five kids. Not to mention, her insane husky puppies, Aztec and Pharaoh.

Carissa is also a freelance graphic designer, writer and content creator, social media manager, and marketing professional. She writes consistently on topics of science, technology, art, writing, photography, graphic design, health, self-improvement, and more. Her articles can be found published across the interwebs. Carissa is also a Top-Rated Freelancer on Upwork, and can be contacted for freelancing opportunities: http://bit.ly/UpworkCarissaAndrews

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Pinterest

Thanks for stopping by today. Isn't it fun when authors take you on adventures you never imaged?

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Season of the Wolf (+ Giveaway)

I’m delighted to tell you about author Maria Vale’s new release, SEASON OF THE WOLF, the fourth installment in her Legend of All Wolves Series and share an excerpt with you.

Season of the Wolf

by Maria Vale

Publication Date: 8/25/2020

In a world of danger and uncertainty, the Alpha can never let down her guard...

As Alpha of the Great North Pack, life is never easy for Evie Kitwanasdottir. The Pack has just survived a deadly attack, and Evie is determined to do whatever is necessary to preserve their safety—especially from the four Shifters who are now their prisoners.

Constantine lost his parents and his humanity on the same devastating day. He has been a thoughtless killer ever since. When Constantine is placed under Evie’s watchful eye, he discovers that taking directions and having a purpose are not the same thing.

Each moment spent together brings new revelations to Constantine, who begins to understand the loneliness of being Alpha. He finds strength and direction in helping Evie, but there is no room for a small love in the Pack, so Constantine will strive to prove to Evie he is capable of a love big enough for the Great North Pack itself.

SEASON OF THE WOLF is available to purchase at the following sites:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2M5s2bO

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Bookshop: https://bit.ly/2XEZawo

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Now an excerpt for your reading pleasure.

“You know what I wished for on your eyelash?”

“My guard hair,” she reminds me. “No, you didn’t say.”

I take a deep breath and launch myself into the void. “I wanted to understand how wolves flirt.”

“Flirt?”

“It’s the things you say and do to show that you’re interested but want to pretend you aren’t in case the other person isn’t and you don’t want to be embarrassed.”

She scratches the tip of her nose with her thumb. “That’s why it’s one of the eight primary forms of human misrepresentation.”

“Misrepresentation? I wouldn’t call it misrepresentation. And there aren’t eight.”

“Yes there are,” she says and starts counting off on her fingers. “JAFFEWIP. It stands for Jokes. Advertisement. Falsehood. Flirtation. Exaggeration. White lies. Irony. Politics.” And as the last long finger rises in the air, I find myself unable to argue with a single one.

“Flirtation is only taught in Advanced Human Behaviors so that wolves heading Offland will understand how to interpret obscure signals.”

“What’s it like? The class.”

“I was never going to be an Offlander, so I have no idea.”

A squirrel runs through the branches overhead, loosing a sprinkling of duff. She picks up a branch of long, brown pine needles and twirls it between her fingers.

“Will you tell me?” she asks quietly.

Oh god.

The single light in the Great Hall goes off and I try to collect my thoughts.

“If you were human, Alpha, I would accidentally stand closer than strictly necessary with my back straight so you could see how tall I was. With my shoulders back so you could see how broad they are. I would smile at you, but not a friendly smile, more a smile verging on disdain, so that if you weren’t interested in my height or my shoulders, I would seem like I had never really cared in the first place.

“If you were interested, you wouldn’t say that straight out. Instead, you might ask me for help that you didn’t actually need, like opening a jam jar or working an app on your phone. I would help you with the thing you didn’t need with more flair and exertion than was required. Then with the jam jar opened or the app conquered, you might put your hand on my arm and say something about my strength or intelligence. I would then ask you where the nearest coffee shop is and you would say, ‘It’s easier if I just show you.’ When you’d shown me, I would insist on buying you a coffee. If you consented, we would have conducted a successful flirtation.”

She shakes her head, a small smile playing across her lips.

“But it’s all a lie.”

“Not a lie, a misrepresentation. As you said yourself.”

She waves her pine fan in front of her.

“When I asked for your help to swim like that, swim like you, did you think I was flirting?”

I know what she wanted. She wanted to find a place that was a little apart. Not run away, just float in the dark for the space of one breath, until some idiot thought it had gone on too long and rescued her, though she didn’t need it.

I shake my head.

“So how do wolves flirt?”

“It’s not all that different. At least until the hierarchy is settled, there are lots of feats of strength. Who drags the biggest windfall from the forest. Who kills the biggest bear. Who lifts the most bales of laundry. The usual. But then…” She leans toward me and I feel the warmth of her body behind me and stop breathing. The air moves behind my jaw, and when I suck in that breath again, the tight tip of her breast scrapes across my arm.

“That’s it,” she says quietly. “One wolf will smell another wolf to see if they are willing. That is how wolves flirt.”

When I turn my head, my cheek lines up to hers, and I suck in a deep breath. My brain is immediately awash with the almost indecipherable complexity of the Pack—black earth, fur, the blood of prey, the fast-running sap of summer trees. But then it settles on that something else underlying it all, the granite and moss, hard stone covered with fragile life, that is Evie.

“And am I?” I choke out.

“Yes,” she says, pulling away, her eyes shielded, voice suddenly distant. “But then every unattached male wants to cover the Alpha.”

***

Excerpted from Season of the Wolf by Maria Vale. © 2020 by Maria Vale. Used with permission of the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. All rights reserved.

Meet the Author

Author Maria Vale

MARIA VALE is a journalist who has worked for Publishers Weekly, Glamour magazine, Redbook, the Philadelphia Inquirer. She is a logophile and a bibliovore and a worrier about the world. Trained as a medievalist, she tries to shoehorn the language of Beowulf into things that don't really need it. She lives with her husband and two sons in New York.

Author Website: https://www.mariavale.com/

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