Tag: Changeling Press

ROCKY by Harley Wylde @HarleyW_Writer @changelingpress

.Reading time 9 minutes.

 

ROCKY (Dixie Reapers MC #3)

Written by Harley Wylde

Published by Changeling Press

Cover Artist: Bryan Keller

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Silver Fox (older hero)

Blurb:

Mara: I was daddy’s little girl, until he didn’t come home one day. Mom moved on, married a rich guy I can’t stand, and his son, Sebastian Rossi, wants what he can’t have — me. I didn’t realize when I chose to run that I would crash down a mountain, or that the man who pulled me from the wreckage would rescue me in every way that counts. Rocky is the biggest, sexiest badass I’ve ever seen. And the more time I spend with him, the more I want to feel his lips on mine, his hands holding me, his body claiming me. I want him so bad I can taste it, but the stubborn man says I’m too young. I’ll just have to prove him wrong.

Rocky: All I wanted was to brood in peace and quiet on my mountaintop while I tried to outrun my demons. I never expected that past to show up in the form of a sexy as fuck woman — a woman I shouldn’t touch. I’m not only twenty years older than her, I’m part of the reason her dad never came home. I’ll do anything it takes to keep her safe, even go home to Alabama. My brothers, the Dixie Reapers, will help protect her. I’m just not sure who’s going to protect her from me, because if I ever get my hands on all those curves, I’m not ever going to let her go.

 

Available April 6th at Changeling Press

Pre-Order for April 13th at:

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes 

 

 

EXCERPT:

“Coffee,” he said, although it came out more like a grunt.

I accepted the cup, the warmth of it seeping into my chilled fingers, and took a sip. Despite the bitter taste, I didn’t wince. I’d always been more of a caramel skinny latte kind of girl, but the hot coffee slid down my throat and began to warm me from the inside out. Rocky watched me a few minutes before walking off again, his boots thudding against the wood floors.

When the coffee was gone, I set the cup aside and tried to push myself to my feet. I groaned, and the room spun as I staggered upright. As everything began to tilt and I felt myself falling back to the floor, strong arms wrapped around me, drawing my body tight against my rescuer. Rocky’s hands splayed across my back, and I couldn’t remember ever feeling so delicate. I was small in stature at just a hair over five feet, but I had more curves than most. Men had called me chunky most of my life. But with Rocky, I felt… feminine. Womanly. I felt…

The warmth that began to spread through me made me gasp and jerk my gaze to his face. Something hard and thick pressed against my belly. I might not be experienced, but even I couldn’t deny that Rocky seemed attracted to me. Or maybe he hadn’t had a woman in so long that just anyone would do. I saw his eyes flare a moment before he lifted me into his arms and began striding for the stairs.

I clung to him, not knowing where we were going, but suspecting it was his bedroom. I should tell him to return me to the fire, tell him I didn’t want this.

But you do, a voice whispered in my ear.

And I did. I’ve never found a man attractive before, not like this. But with Rocky’s arms holding me, I wanted to know what it would feel like to be pressed against him, skin to skin. I wanted to feel him slide inside me, claim me, and make me his. I wanted to feel that beard rub against my skin. I wanted… him. I briefly wondered what kind of woman that made me since I’d crashed down a damn mountain and now wanted to have sex with my hunky rescuer. Maybe I’d suffered head trauma.

The stairs ended at a large room with no door. The bed against the wall looked far bigger than a regular king-size, the covers rumpled. Rocky carried me across the room and eased me down onto the soft mattress, then pulled the covers up to my chin. He paused a moment before turning to the fireplace across the room. Wood was stacked nearby, and he began building a fire. Watching his muscular back and shoulders move was starting another kind of fire too. One I had never felt before. I pressed my thighs together to ease the ache.

When the blaze was glowing brightly, Rocky rose to his feet and studied me. There was heat in his gaze, and I wondered if I was finally going to find out what it was like to have a man claim me. I’d held onto my virginity for so long, never had been tempted to lose it. Until now.

“Dinner will be ready in an hour. You should rest,” he said gruffly before turning and leaving me alone.

My jaw dropped at his retreating back, and when I heard the last of his steps carrying him down the stairs, I slumped against his pillows and drew in a deep breath. My eyes closed as his scent surrounded me. Something woodsy and full of spice. Curling onto my side, I buried my face in his pillow and just breathed him in. Whoever the strange man was who had pulled me from the car, it was obvious he wasn’t going to take advantage. And for some reason, that disappointed me.

“Stupid woman,” I muttered. I felt the tingle between my legs and moaned. “And stupid hormones.”

 

Did you miss book 1 – Venom, and book 2 – Torch?

Check them out here!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Short. Erotic. Sweet.

Harley’s other half would probably say those words describe her, but they also describe her books. When Harley is writing, her motto is the hotter the better. Off the charts sex, commanding men, and the women who can’t deny them. If you want men who talk dirty, are sexy as hell, and take what they want, then you’ve come to the right place.

You can follow Harley on Amazon, Twitter, or Facebook. Get New Release notifications (for US readers) by following Harley on BookBub!

Harley Wylde is the “wilder” side of award-winning author Jessica Coulter Smith. She also writes gay erotic romance (M/M and M/M/M) as Dulce Dennison.

Subscribe to the Jessica/Harley newsletter

OFFERED TO THE CYBORG by Jessica Coulter Smith @kitcatjms @changelingpress

.Reading time 17 minutes.

CyCon_BannerSMALL

Offered to the Cyborg

Series: Cy-Con #2
Publisher: Changeling Press
Cover Artist: Karen Fox
Genres: Science Fiction Romance, Alien Encounters, Cyber Punk

One look in her eyes and he wanted her. One taste and he knew he was never letting her go.

 

CyCon2Cover

 

When the Zelranian cyborg’s ship The Sphinx is attacked by a reptilian race called the Meori, Wrylack is the only cyborg left standing. Forced onto the Meori vessel, his skills as a medic are demanded in exchange for his life. But any plans Wrylack may have had to escape died the moment he laid eyes on Shaylee, the human female slave in the Meori med bay. Even injured, she’s the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen. And when the Meori realize they can use her to control Wrylack, they are only too pleased to give her to him.

Shaylee has only known pain and suffering all her life. First on Earth, passed around the foster care system, and later as a slave to one alien after another. No one has ever touched her with kindness, has ever cared what happened to her. When the sexy purple cyborg with the strange eyes and gentle touch says she’s his, Shaylee is almost scared to hope that her life is changing. But the big male isn’t interested in owning her as a slave. He wants a mate!

Releasing March 2nd at Changeling Press

Releasing March 9th at:
Amazon / BN / iTunes / Kobo

Excerpt

The ship grew quiet and Wrylack tried to communicate with his fellow cyborgs, but no one was responding. He feared they’d all been killed, which meant the Meori would come for him next, once they realized he was on board. He could hear the clang of boots coming down the corridor and braced himself. When the doors to the med bay slid open, he stared at the green and gold aliens, with their serpent-like eyes and tongues.

They looked him over, laughing when they saw the scalpel clutched in his hand. Two held ion blasters pointed at him, and he knew there was no way he was taking them out. Not on his own and only armed with the scalpel.

The three Meori in front hardly had a scratch on them, but the ones in back were pooling blood on the floor. Wrylack tried not to smile at the sight. It seemed his brothers had fought hard, even if they hadn’t been victorious. Would they kill him now too?

“The healer thinks to fight us,” the larger one up front said.

Little did they know he could kick their asses, if it weren’t for the unfair advantage of the blasters in their hands. He might be enhanced, but he wasn’t indestructible. Going into a blaster fight with nothing more than a scalpel would get him killed.

“Where’s my crew?” Wrylack asked.

The alien shrugged. “Alive, but incapacitated.”

Why hadn’t they killed everyone? What was it they wanted?

“And your plan for us?” Wrylack asked.

The alien smiled, his pointed teeth showing. “The others will be dropped at Alpha9, for a fee of course, and we’re commandeering this ship. You, however…” The alien looked him over again. “We need a medic. Ours died and since your cyborg brothers did some damage, my crew will need to be tended. Serve us well and you will be rewarded.”

Wrylack could read between the lines. Service would be required regardless, if he wanted to live. He would imagine the reward would be his freedom. What they didn’t know was that the moment he’d laid eyes on them, he’d hacked into the telecommunications system and had the computer send a message to the commanders on Xpashta, with their present location and who had taken command of the ship. It wouldn’t be long before the cyborgs’ other ships were on their way to lend aid. He only hoped it wouldn’t be too late.

One of the Meori gripped his arm tight, making the nerves in his arm go numb and the scalpel fell from his hand, clattering to the floor. Wrylack allowed himself to be dragged through the ship and taken aboard the Meori vessel. He wasn’t stupid enough to think he could take on two ships himself, which meant he had to follow orders and stay alive until backup arrived. The ship was much larger than The Sphinx and had probably once been a luxury liner, judging by the artwork on the walls and the dense carpet under his feet. Slave females of all races shuffled down the hallways and gathered in open rooms. Some were dressed in transparent tunics and he knew they were breeding stock. The thought made him ill.

When they reached medical, Wrylack was shoved inside and he froze at the sight before him. Two human females lay dead, the sheets covering them stained with blood, with a third huddled in the corner, her eyes wide in fright. Blood dripped down her arm and her clothes were torn. Anger welled inside of him and he turned to snarl at the Meori who had dragged him on board.

“You attacked innocent females?”

The Meori shrugged. “When we purchased them, we didn’t realize they wouldn’t be sexually compatible. Their master was raving about how good it felt to fuck them. We stopped a male from mounting the third when the first two died.”

Wrylack was horrified and sickened. Moving slowly, he approached the female in the corner. He knelt in front of her and used his cybernetic eyes to scan her. Aside from some bruising and the bite mark on her shoulder, she seemed to be healthy. All of her organs were in good working order, and he was thankful to note she wasn’t pregnant. Judging by the scarring in her womb, even if the Meori hadn’t been able to breed with her, someone had been successful at some point. The haunted look in her eyes spoke of someone who had lived this life for a while. His heart ached for her, imagining the horrors she’d probably faced as a slave.

Wrylack pulled aside her slave tunic and studied the bite. It was deep and the tissue around it was badly bruised. The Meori who had tried to mount her had likely bitten her to hold her in place. Wrylack hoped she’d fought like hell. No one deserved the fate of being a breeder, especially to the Meori. He stood quickly and rummaged through the cabinets until he found what he needed. With a tube of livron gel in his hand, he sank to his haunches in front of her again. Wrylack squeezed the gel onto his fingers and spread it over her wound. She flinched at his touch, but didn’t lash out at him. He knew the gel would cool the angry wound first, then numb it within minutes. If applied regularly, the wound would seal in a few days.

“My name’s Wrylack and I’m a medic,” he told her. “I’m going to help you.”

“She’s useless,” the Meori said. “No sense in treating her. We’re just going to toss her out an airlock. I can’t take the chance that she would sell right away when we reach Alpha9 and I don’t intend to stay there long. She’s a waste of space.”

Wrylack growled and glared at the Meori. “You’re not tossing her out an airlock.”

The Meori rocked back on his heels. “You seem rather fond of her.”

“She’s a helpless female.” Wrylack wasn’t about to admit that he thought she was the most beautiful female he’d ever seen. Looking into her eyes, he wanted to be her hero. But he was just as much a captive right as she was. But then, if they’d met under other circumstances, how likely was it that she’d have let a cyborg get anywhere near her? Especially him with his strange-looking eyes.

“And females are precious to your people, aren’t they?” the Meori asked slyly. Wrylack wasn’t certain he liked the look on the Meori’s face. “Do what we say, and you can keep her. Consider her your reward for good behavior.”

Keep her? Wrylack hesitated and glanced down at the female. Her hair was black as pitch and hung in long curls down to her ass. The elfin face that peered up at him had eyes a beautiful lavender, a color he’d never seen on a human before. The female’s skin was pale as ivory and had felt soft when he’d administered the gel to her wound. He lowered himself in front of her again, bracing his fist on the floor, and leaning in close. She didn’t shrink away or seem scared of him.

Her gaze met his, steady. When he reached for her, smoothing her hair back from her face, she didn’t so much as flinch.

“Do you know what I am?” he asked.

“No,” she said softly.

“I’m a Zelranian cyborg.”

“Is that why your eyes are so different?” she asked. “They’re beautiful when they glow. Why do they only glow sometimes?”

Her voice was soft and mesmerizing, much like her.

“My eyes are cybernetic, along with my lungs and heart. My eyes glow when I’m doing a scan to check for injuries. I’m different, even from my people. Does that frighten you?” he asked.

Her gaze strayed to the Meori in the doorway before returning to him. There was a question in her eyes that she didn’t seem to want to voice. The Meori had mentioned her previous owner had used for her sex, and the Meori had intended the same. It stood to reason she would wonder if he would hurt her if they were intimate.

“I won’t harm you,” Wrylack assured her. “Unlike the Meori, Zelranians are compatible with humans.”

Her cheeks flushed but she held his gaze.

“If they throw you out of the airlock, you’ll die,” Wrylack said. “Space is cold and your organs will begin to freeze, assuming you don’t die from asphyxiation first. I won’t force you to be mine, but it’s the only way I can save you.”

It hadn’t occurred to him until that moment that maybe she would prefer death. It saddened him to think she might feel that way, but there was something in her eyes that said she was a fighter.

“I’m Shaylee.” She smiled softly, seeming to accept that she was his now.

“Shaylee.” Wrylack reached for her again, smoothing his fingers down her cheek. “I will treat you well, this I promise.”

If you missed book one, Rescued by the Cyborg, you can get it here!

About the Author

Jess Feb 2018

Award-winning author Jessica Coulter Smith has been in love with the written word since she was a child writing her first stories in crayon. Today she’s a multi-published author of over seventy-five novellas and novels. Romance is an integral part of her world and spills over from her professional life into her personal one. When she went on that first date with her husband, she never expected to hear the words /Marry me!’ pop out of his mouth – and judging by the shocked look on his face, he hadn’t meant to say them either. But, being the hopeless romantic that she is, Jessica said yes and they’ve been married since 2000.

Jessica firmly believes that love will find you at the right time, even if Mr. Right is literally out of this world. She’s often gazed at the stars and wondered what, or who, else might be out there. Who’s to say that hunky model on the hottest romance bestseller isn’t really from some far off galaxy? Maybe that blue Martian you saw at Halloween wasn’t really in costume. After all, there’s an awful lot of space out there for us to be the only ones living in it.

Jessica loves to hear from her readers! You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter or visit her website at jessicacoultersmith.com.

Want to be notified of new releases or special discounts? Sign up for her newsletter!

REMUS by Gale Stanley @GaleStanley

.Reading time 3 minutes.

Remus (Watchdogs 2) by Gale Stanley

Cover art: Bryan Keller

BIN: 08356-02699

Genres: Gay, Werewolves, Shapeshifters, Paranormal, Action Adventure & Suspense, New Releases, Romance

Length: Novella

Page Count: 42

 

Ray has always been a little wild in bed but can Jared handle his animal tendencies?

 

BLURB:

Ex-hitman, Ray Miller got immunity in exchange for testifying against Sarge, his former handler. Grateful for the second chance, Ray and his lover, Jared open their own P.I. agency and call it Watchdogs. But their happily ever after doesn’t last long.

Jared is having nightmares that seem all too real, and someone is stalking him. Ray suspects Sarge wants revenge, but he soon discovers a more dangerous foe is after them. How can he protect himself and Jared, when their enemy is a wolf?

 

Get a new release discount at Changeling Press

https://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=2699

 

TEASER:

Jared huddled under the covers until the smell of coffee drew him out of bed. First stop, the bathroom. He glanced in the mirror, and did a double take. What the fuck! Gripping the small sink, he leaned in for a closer look. Teeth marks.

Suddenly, a naked Ray appeared behind him, and strong muscular arms circled Jared. “Do you want coffee or a blowjob?” Ray stroked Jared’s flaccid penis back to life.

Jared melted back against him. “I want to get fucked.” Then he remembered. “You bit me.”

Ray inspected his handiwork. “So? You know you like it rough. You were so fucking hot, you didn’t even feel it.”

“You broke the skin.”

“Don’t be a wuss. I had my rabies shot.”

“Very funny.”

Ray kissed the mark. “It’s a love bite. Means you’re mine. Forever.”

Jared sighed. “I don’t need a mark to remind me. I love you.”

“Love you, too. Come back to bed and I’ll prove it.”

 

Happy Reading!

 

 

Available at

Changeling Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

 

Author Bio and Links

Gale Stanley grew up in Philadelphia PA. She was the kid who always had her nose in a book, her head in the clouds, and her hands on a pad and pencil.

Some things never change.

Website | Blog | Twitter | FaceBook | Instagram | Pinterest

 

 

 

 

 

CYCLOPS by Gale Stanley @GaleStanley

.Reading time 6 minutes.

 

Cyclops (Watchdogs 1) by Gale Stanley

Cover art: Bryan Keller

Genres: Paranormal, Werewolves, Gay, Action Adventure & Suspense, New Releases, Romance

Length: Novella

Page Count: 43

 

Blurb:

Ray Miller finds his calling in the Army, but an explosion in Afghanistan takes his left eye and his career. Set adrift, he turns to alcohol, until an old army buddy shows up and offers Ray a job. Now Ray has a secret identity. He puts his combat skills to use as Cyclops, a paid assassin who rids the government of bad guys.

Then, one day a chance meeting sets off sparks, and Ray falls for a man who could destroy him. Hooking up with a cop is reckless, but the sex rocks Ray’s world. How long can he hide his secrets before the hitman becomes the target?

 

Excerpt:

Mission accomplished. A simple in and out job, take aim at the target and pull the trigger. Now it was time to vanish, lie low and keep my head down. I usually played by the rules, but tonight I didn’t want to be alone. Danger is an aphrodisiac and I was one anxious horndog. I didn’t sniff trouble in the wind, so I went to Jared’s apartment, where I could keep my head down and suck his cock at the same time.

My digital car clock said three am when I pulled into a dark spot behind Jared’s building. He’d be asleep, so I let myself in with the key he’d given me. I shed my clothes in the living room and left them on the floor. I wanted to slip into bed beside Jared and surprise him. Quiet as a church mouse, I opened the bedroom door. A floorboard creaked as I stepped over the threshold. The light came on, blinding me for a few seconds.

Jared sat up and looked daggers at me. “Do you know what time it is, Ray?”

I grinned sheepishly. “Time to get busy?”

“What were you doing until 3 am?”

“Missing you.”

“Right.” Jared threw a pillow at me. “Go home, Ray.”

I picked up the pillow and walked over to the bed. “Don’t be such a sourpuss.” I tucked the pillow behind his back. Yawning, I scrubbed a hand through my regulation cut, two inches of hair on the top of my head, and tapered down the sides and back. I like to leave a little for Jared to pull on. The thought made my dick even harder.

Jared lay down and put an arm over his face. “I have to get up for work in a few hours. Lock the door on your way out.”

I sat on the bed and slid my hand under the sheet. Jared’s limp dick didn’t budge when I made contact. Damn, he really was pissed. “Okay, go to sleep. I’ll just lie next to you.”

“I don’t want you here, Ray.”

My temper rose, but I tamped it down. I have a short fuse but I try to lengthen it around Jared. A few slow deep breaths calmed me down. I pulled Jared’s arm back and stared at his face. His eyes were closed and it was hard to tell if he meant what he said. “Look at me, babe.”

Reluctantly, he opened his eyes. God, he was gorgeous. Honey brown hair framed high cheekbones and emerald green eyes. “Come on, babe, you know you don’t mean it.”

Jared and I had been together for eight months, and I’d gotten used to having a steady fuck, or as steady as it could be in my line of work. I didn’t see Jared as much as he would have liked, and the longer we were together, the harder it was to explain my absences. But, nothing worthwhile came easy and I was determined to keep him. I liked knowing Jared was there when I needed him. And right then, I needed him bad.

 

Available at:

Changeling Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

 

Author Bio and Links

Gale Stanley grew up in Philadelphia PA. She was the kid who always had her nose in a book, her head in the clouds, and her hands on a pad and pencil.

Some things never change.

 

Website | Blog | Twitter | FaceBook | Instagram | Pinterest

 

 

Happy Reading!

 

 

 

 

 

 

RORY AND THE ALIEN GROOM by Jessica Coulter Smith @kitcatjms @changelingpress

.Reading time 11 minutes.

aliengroomcoverfinal

 

AMAZON / B&N / iTUNES / KOBO / CHANGELING PRESS

Humiliation burns through Zwyk as he comes to the realization his bride has left him standing alone at the altar. When something seems too good to be true, it usually is. He should have known someone as vivacious as his bride-to-be would never settle for a paper pushing, XBox playing geek like him. While his heart isn’t exactly broken, his pride is wounded, and his confidence has taken a hit.

Rory hates that she had to tell Zwyk her sister has run away instead of marrying him. Well, she hates the pain her sister caused. She can’t exactly say she’s sorry the wedding is off. Maybe now she can make Zwyk see what’s been right under his nose this entire time — her.

ABOUT THE STORY

We’ve all read jilted groom or jilted bride stories before. Usually the maid of honor, a bridesmaid, best friend, or best friend’s sister ends up making it all better and they ride off into the sunset. So what makes this story different from any of those? Besides the purple aliens…

Zwyk has always wanted one thing. To have his own family. A mate, children. Maybe a family pet. And he thinks he’s well on his way to achieving his dreams when he proposes to Brittany, only to be left stranded at the altar without so much as a goodbye. He decides love is too painful and gives up on his dream, determined to keep his heart from ever breaking. Enter Rory…

She’s spunky, quirky, and just what Zwyk needs. He’s always felt like he had to hide who he is when he’s with a woman. None of them have ever been impressed with his paper-pushing job, nor his love of Xbox. But Rory isn’t like the others. She’s a hardcore gamer with a degree in finance, every bit as geeky as he is, and she may be just the cure that Zwyk needs. And Rory is determined to get what she wants…

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EXCERPT

His poor game system was hidden away in the hall closet, banished there by Brittany along with two boxes of his games. He hauled everything out and started hooking it back up, petting the console and whispering words of contrition to it for his poor treatment the past few months. When it booted right up, he took that to mean he was forgiven for his transgression. Looking in the boxes of games was akin to opening presents on Christmas — a human tradition he’d embraced wholeheartedly — and he had trouble deciding what to play first.

There wasn’t a better way to dive back into things than to play Gears of War 4. His Xbox Live membership had lapsed and his account had been deleted, so he’d have to enjoy one-player mode for now. Hell, he didn’t even know if his gaming buddies were still around, assuming he could find them online after he made a new account. He’d just up and vanished on them three months ago. It was an asshole move, but Brittany had grabbed him by the balls. Well, figuratively, because she’d never gotten close enough to actually touch his balls. They’d kissed, but she’d always shied away when he tried to take things further, saying she wanted to wait for their wedding night. Now he had to wonder how much of that was bullshit. Had she detested him so much that she couldn’t stand to be touched by him?

The game had just finished loading when there was a knock at his front door. Zwyk set his controller aside and went to answer, almost dreading who might be on the other side. If word had already spread about his failed wedding, any number of his friends could be on the other side with an “I told you so” ready on their lips, or worse, a pitying look in their eyes. He almost didn’t answer, but something made him pull open the door.

His eyebrows rose when he saw who stood on the other side.

“Rory?”

She grinned and held up two pizza boxes while she pushed her glasses further up her nose. “I thought you might need sustenance after your trying day. It’s your favorite. Sausage and onion.”

His stomach rumbled and he stepped back to let her in. It wasn’t the first time she’d been to his house, but it was the first time they’d been alone. Was she feeling sorry for him? He’d have thought she’d be with her parents, trying to figure out where Brittany went. But then Rory had always seemed to follow her own rhythm. What was that Earth saying? Marching to the beat of her own drum?

He shut the door and followed her into the living room, where she set the boxes on the coffee table. He grinned a little, thinking about Brittany’s head exploding if she saw such a travesty. It gave him the sudden urge to leave rings and scuff marks on the pristine surface. Juvenile perhaps, but refreshing. It was like he’d been freed from a prison sentence, and if that wasn’t a sobering thought, he didn’t know what was.

“Whatever you just thought, stop thinking it,” Rory said as she opened the first box. “I figure we can just eat out of the box, but we probably should grab some drinks before I kick your ass on the Xbox.”

He blinked at her. Did she just say…

“Drinks?” she prompted then shook her head. “Never mind, I’ll get them.”

He watched, bemused, as she helped herself to his kitchen. She returned a moment later with a disgusted look on her face and two soda cans in her hands.

“Please tell me this is another Brittany travesty and you don’t actually drink diet.”

He coughed to cover his laugh, but he couldn’t deny that she amused him. “I’ll go to the store later and pick up some regular soda.”

“You should get grape too. It’s my favorite.”

He scratched his neck and wondered if that meant she planned to hang out for a while. Zwyk wasn’t quite sure what to make of Rory, but he was just going to go with it for the time being. He couldn’t really think of anything else to do. Retaking his seat on the couch, he grabbed a slice of pizza and took a huge bite before downing half the can she’d placed in front of him. The intro to the game blared from the TV speakers and Rory wiggled her fingers at him, snatching the controller from his hand.

“You eat. I’m going to play.” She grinned at him before turning her focus to the game on the screen.

Zwyk devoured almost an entire pizza by himself as he alternated between watching the comical expressions on Rory’s face and her annihilation of everything in her path on the screen. Her skill was rather impressive and her maniacal laugh as she took out the opposing force was amusing. Who knew such a pint-sized female could be so bloodthirsty?

“All right, killer. It’s my turn,” he said holding out his hand for the controller. “You’re pretty good, but it’s time to show you how the pros do it.”

AUTHOR LINKS

Website
Facebook
Sci-fi Facebook Page
Twitter
Instagram
Amazon Author Page
Changeling Author Page

jess-feb-2017

Award-winning author Jessica Coulter Smith has been in love with the written word since she was a child. Her first stories may have been written in crayon, but now she’s a multi-published author of over seventy-five novellas and novels. Romance is an integral part of her world and spills over from her professional life into her personal one. When she went out on that first date with her husband, she never expected to hear the words “marry me” pop out of his mouth — and judging by the shocked look on his face, he hadn’t meant to say them either. But, being the hopeless romantic that she is, Jessica said yes and they’ve been married since 2000.

CELESTE AND THE ALIEN BARTENDER by Jessica Coulter Smith @kitcatjms @changelingpress

.Reading time 15 minutes.

celestecoverfinal

 

Celeste and the Alien Bartender

Publisher: Changeling Press
Genres: Sci-fi Romance
Themes: Alien Encounter
Series: Intergalactic Brides (#8)
Length: 100 pages
Cover Artist: Karen Fox

BLURB

A desperate mother. A determined alien. And a romance neither expected.

Zanar has made himself a home on Earth, where he owns Stardust Bar, popular with both aliens and humans. There’s only one thing missing from Zanar’s life. Despite his best efforts to impress the human females he meets, he’s still without a mate. At the age of twenty-six, it isn’t imperative for him to pair off and start a family just yet, but he’s lonely and ready to settle down. The last thing he expects is for Celeste to come into his life and turn it upside down.

After having been abducted by an alien race five years ago, Celeste is back on Earth. She’s spent those years as a slave on the planet Vaaden, where she had a precious daughter with her owner, Pynder. But when Pynder dies suddenly, his parents swoop in and snatch Sophie from Celeste’s arms before banishing her from their world. Celeste will do anything to get her daughter back, but falling in love with a bartender — or anyone else — was never part of the plan.

 

PRE-ORDER LINKS (for January 27th release)

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com//dp/B01MUBRADS

B&N – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/celeste-and-the-alien-bartender-jessica-coulter-smith/1125495115

Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/celeste-and-the-alien-bartender

 

EXCERPT

“I didn’t know how fancy the hotel restaurant was,” Celeste said, smoothing a hand over her dress from earlier that morning. “Is this okay, or should I change?”

“You’re perfect,” he said softly, and she could tell he meant it.

Her cheeks warmed, and she took his outstretched hand, letting him lead her to the restaurant. Her mother trailed behind them, giving them some time alone. Celeste tightened her grip on Zanar’s hand as they entered the restaurant, which to her looked pretty swanky. The tables were draped with white tablecloths, and a single rose was in a vase in the middle of every table. The strains of a quartet could be heard even from the entryway.

“Zanar, I really think I should change.”

“Relax, Celeste. I think you look beautiful, and I’m sure every man in the room will agree with me. Stop worrying about what other people think.” He stared down at her. “Do you feel pretty in your dress?”

She hesitated only a moment before she nodded.

“Then that’s all that matters.” He smiled. “Never let someone else’s opinion dictate how you feel about yourself or others. Always be true to yourself and everything else will fall into place.”

“You truly believe that?” she asked.

“I do. But if makes you feel better, I would never lie to you. When I tell you that you’re beautiful, I mean it.”

She warmed at his praise and couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her lips. She glanced at her mother and saw that Zanar was quickly winning both of their hearts. He really was almost too perfect. There had to be a flaw somewhere, but she hadn’t found it just yet.

They were seated and given menus. A waiter appeared almost instantly to take their drink order and then vanished as silently as he’d arrived. Celeste was a little overwhelmed with the menu choices, and worried when she didn’t see prices listed. It might have been a long time since she’d been on Earth, but even she knew that meant the place was expensive. She didn’t know how much a bartender made, but this seemed like an unneeded extravagance.

“Zanar, maybe we should go somewhere else.”

His eyebrows rose. “You don’t see anything you like?”

“It’s not that.” She worried her lower lip with her teeth.

“I think what my daughter is trying to say is that this place is too expensive,” her mother said. “After being off world for so long, she’d be just as content with fast food as she would shrimp and lobster.”

“I see.” He smiled a little. “If you’re worried I can’t afford this place, don’t be. I may not be as rich as some of my friends, but I’m not hurting for money. The Stardust does good business and I own my house, so I don’t have to pay rent or a mortgage every month. I also own the bar, so aside from the usual monthly expenses it doesn’t cost much to keep the place going.”

Her mother nudged her. “In other words, he’s a good provider should you decide to give him a chance.”

Zanar cleared his throat, and his cheeks flushed a darker purple. She found it charming that her mother could unnerve him. Even when she’d lived on Earth, it hadn’t been often that she’d seen a man blush. She’d figured someone in his line of work had seen and heard everything and wouldn’t be flustered by much. Somehow, it made him a little more human to her, even though she knew there wasn’t a drop of human blood in him.

“What brought you to Earth?” Celeste asked.

“My brother is a rather revered warrior on my world, and so is my father. I do well enough in combat, but my talents lie elsewhere. I can take a failing business and make it thrive in a short amount of time, but there’s not much use for that skill on my world. When I saw that some of my people were settling on Earth, I decided to give it a try. I figured it couldn’t be any worse than being at home.”

“So, you left your family behind?” her mother asked.

“I still speak with my parents on the Vid-comm rather frequently. What do you humans say? I was the black sheep of the family. While I miss my family, I know that my time is better spent here. At least on Earth, I have a chance at finding a mate.”

“I’ve read articles about the Terrans,” her mother said. “There’s a shortage of females on your world, right?”

He nodded. “My generation has been all male. We don’t understand exactly what happened, but it’s been necessary to find females outside of our race to ensure our survival. Humans are the most compatible.” He smiled. “And the most beautiful.”

“How exactly did the Terran stations come about?” Celeste asked. “So much has happened since I’ve been gone. When I was captured, I didn’t even know aliens existed, and now you’re walking among us, running businesses, getting married. It’s almost too much to take in.”

“My planet made an agreement with Earth’s government. In exchange for our protection should Earth be attacked, we were allowed to open a bride exchange in different locations around your world. Women would take a series of tests, were paid a fee, and then were shipped to my world where they would find a match.”

“And the stations were where those tests are administered?”

“Yes, and they were also where the shuttles would land and take off. Things evolved quickly, and our stations grew, with more and more of our males coming here. Now it’s common to find my kind on your world, and it keeps the monsters at bay. A few friendly alien races have reached out to us and Earth to share in the bride exchange and negotiations are still ongoing. Some races have already been accepted, and you may see them from time to time at the different stations, but they don’t roam the cities as much.”

It seemed so surreal to Celeste. When the Vaadens had taken her and she’d woken as a captive on another world, it had been a complete nightmare. It was hard to imagine living side by side with other alien races, and living in harmony. She supposed it only made sense that not all aliens were alike, just like all humans weren’t. Thinking that Terrans and whatever other races were out there were the same as Vaadens wasn’t fair. Zanar was proving that some aliens could be trusted.

“So, you only have one brother?” her mother asked.

“Yes, and we’re very different. Ryx is a few years older than I am, and he’s very serious about his position on my world. He claimed one of the first humans to be part of the bride program, and they seem happy enough. Unfortunately, they haven’t had children as of yet, which I think frustrates him.” Zanar shrugged. “I think my parents are now relying on me to make them grandparents. It’s the one thing my mother wants most.”

“Are you actively seeking a mate?” her mother asked.

“Not exactly. I’ve been on dates since coming here, but I just never clicked with anyone. We’d share a meal and then go our separate ways.”

Her mother smirked. “Handsome guy like you, I’m sure there was a bit more to it than that.”

He flushed again. “Yes, well… it’s been quite a while since I’ve been with a woman. I decided I was finished with casual sex and would wait for my mate, however long it took to find her.”

“And are you getting any closer to finding her?” her mother asked.

His gaze zeroed in on Celeste. “I think I may be.”

 

PLAYLIST

1.       Snakes on a Plane by Cobra Starship

2.       I’m Gonna Be by The Proclaimers

3.       Blank Space by Taylor Swift

4.       Marines’ Hymn by Madison Rising

5.       Give Me Novacaine by Green Day

6.       Picture to Burn by Taylor Swift

7.       Cool Kids by Echosmith

8.       Applause by Lady GaGa

9.       Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus

10.   Timber by Pitbull & Kesha

11.   Lips are Movin’ by Meghan Trainor

12.   The Monster by Eminem

13.   Whistle by Flo Rida

14.   Wild Thing by Tone Loc

15.   Love the Way You Lie by Eminem

16.   Scream & Shout by Will.I.Am

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author Jessica Coulter Smith has been in love with the written word since she was a child writing her first stories in crayon. Today she’s a multi-published author of over seventy-five novellas and novels. Romance is an integral part of her world and spills over from her professional life into her personal one. When she went on that first date with her husband, she never expected to hear the words “Marry me!” pop out of his mouth – and judging by the shocked look on his face, he hadn’t meant to say them either. But, being the hopeless romantic that she is, Jessica said yes and they’ve been married since 2000.

Jessica firmly believes that love will find you at the right time, even if Mr. Right is literally out of this world. She’s often gazed at the stars and wondered what, or who, else might be out there. Who’s to say that hunky model on the hottest romance bestseller isn’t really from some far off galaxy? Maybe that blue Martian you saw at Halloween wasn’t really in costume. After all, there’s an awful lot of space out there for us to be the only ones living in it.

You can find Jessica on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or at her website.