The Community Series,
Books 1-3
BY
Tracy Tappan
Winner of the Independent Publishers Book Awards Bronze Medal for Romance
Finalist for USA Best Book Awards for Romance
Copyright © 2015 Tracy Tappan
Kindle Edition
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
Books 1-3 in The Community Series
Book one: THE BLOODLINE WAR
Winner of the Independent Publisher (IPPY) Bronze Medal for Romance.
Abducted to a secret, underground community because of the special gene she carries, Dr. Toni Parthen is asked to do the unthinkable: procreate with a man from a race called Vârcolac.
Headstrong and determined, Toni instead incites the other captured women to mutiny, and the hard, dark leader of the Warrior Class, Jacken Brun, has his hands full containing the revolt. He also faces another challenge—fighting against his burning attraction to the forbidden woman.
Book two: THE PUREST OF THE BREED
Finalist for the USA Best Book Awards for Romance.
Saved from a brutal kidnapping by special operative Dev Nichita, Marissa Bonaventure decides to stay when she’s welcomed into his quirky community. But as a series of surreal events unfolds, her reality shifts into something dangerous and bizarre. Dev isn’t who he seems, and the community’s enemies plan to use her as a pawn in a deadly game. While her world comes undone around her, Marissa’s newfound relationship with Dev doesn’t seem likely to survive.
Book three: BLOOD-BONDED BY FORCE
With a single act of unspeakable cruelty, half-demon Pandra Parthen unintentionally binds herself to Vârcolac warrior Thomal Costache. Now two enemies are stuck together for life.
But while Pandra eventually grows to want a real marriage, Thomal remains rooted in rage. Only when Pandra sacrifices herself to die in order to free him will Thomal discover that mercy lives in his heart. But no one has ever returned from the demon town where Pandra is trapped. Will the warrior be able to pull off an impossible rescue and earn himself a second chance at love?
Also by Tracy Tappan
The Community Series
Award-winning Paranormal Romance
The Bloodline War
The Purest of the Breed
Blood-Bonded by Force
Moon-Riders
Wings of Gold Series
Award-winning Military Romantic Suspense
Beyond the Call of Duty
Allied Operations
Man Down
At the end of this book, learn how to get BONUS MATERIAL, including “Lună Zână,” a FREE companion short story to The Community Series.
Limited Time Offer
Three normally upstanding Vârcolac males break community law on a night of unparalleled freedom, but their secret mistake can’t stay hidden forever…
THE BLOODLINE WAR, Book One in The Community Series
**Winner of the Independent Publishers Book Awards Bronze Medal for romance**
“The book starts out strong and just keeps going with the action and suspense!”
~ Snarky Mom Reads
“This book was a total hoot and a half with dashes of sexy, adventure, and humor mixed in.”
~ A Little Bit of R&R
“The mythology surrounding the vampires is unlike any that I have read before!”
~ Romance Novel Giveaways
“Tracy Tappan has a hit series on her hands!”
~ Tome Tender
THE PUREST OF THE BREED, Book Two in The Community Series
**Finalist for the USA News Book Awards for Romance**
“What an adrenaline rush!”
~ Bookin’ It Reviews
“I guarantee you will like this book. J.R. Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and the others atop the PNR mountain, watch your back, there is a fast rising star and it’s Tracy Tappan.”
~ Rage, Sex, and Teddy Bears
“Tracy Tappan does a grand slam in this second book of The Community Series. This is a very fast, action packed, exciting book!”
~ Sportochick’s Musings
“This book is solid! Wit, humor, snark, love story, steamy romance, sexy men, secrets, intrigue, and fantastical creatures.”
~ Dauntless Indies
BLOOD-BONDED BY FORCE, Book Three in The Community Series
“I was hooked from the moment I opened my kindle.”
~ The Reading Café
“I am totally astounded by what is the best novel by far in this series yet!”
~ Fantasy and Romance Book Reviews
“Intense and a roller coaster!”
~ Book Junky Girls
“This is a dark world we’re diving into, but it’s as gripping as the first two instalments. You just can’t put it down!”
~ The e-Reader Junkie
* * *
Don’t miss a single story in this thrilling paranormal romance series!
Click the link below to be notified of the next release.
http://tracytappan.net/vip-community/
* * *
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank two of the best editors on the planet, Jessa Slade from Red Circle Ink and Faith Freewoman from Demon for Details, and my cover designer, Laura Morrigan, who takes my ideas and always moves beyond my wildest dreams.
To Juliette Sobanet, gal pal and author friend, I have no doubt that I’d still be far from the starting line in publishing if not for your generous guidance.
Also, thanks so much to Nena and Gary Demack for help with the German phrases in THE PUREST OF THE BREED, and to Robyn Segel Shifren for her invaluable help with ballet questions in BLOOD-BONDED BY FORCE.
All mistakes are my own.
My deepest gratitude goes out to my husband and two children. Without the daily joy they give me, I wouldn’t have the capacity to imagine.
* * *
The lyrics of the song “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane are reprinted by gracious permission of Hal Leonard Corporation.
White Rabbit
Words and Music by Grace Slick
Copyright © 1966 IRVING MUSIC, INC.
Copyright renewed
All Rights Reserved Used by Permission
Reprinted by Permission of Hal Leonard Corporation
Dedication
To my husband, Jeff, the love of my life and real-life romantic hero,
Not a day has gone by that you haven’t given me my dreams.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
About the Boxed Set
Also by Tracy Tappan
Acknowledgements
Dedication
The Bloodline War
Title Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter
Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
The Purest of the Breed
Title Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Blood-Bonded by Force
Title Page
Book One
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Book Two
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Please Review
Available Now!
FREE companion novella to The Community Series!
Author Notes about The Purest of the Breed
About the Author
Excerpt from Moon-Riders
THE BLOODLINE WAR
BY
Tracy Tappan
Winner of the Independent Publishers Book Awards Bronze Medal for Romance
Chapter One
The house loomed out of the darkness like a hulking beast, its windows black eyes, the front door left gaping wide in a permanent scream. Yellow Crime Scene Do Not Cross tape was strung around the perimeter, announcing to the world that bad stuff had happened here, just in case anybody had missed the stink of burned flesh and the eerie silence hanging over everything. Only the occasional crackling dispatcher call from one of the police cruisers parked out front broke the stillness.
A shiver crawled up Toni Parthen’s spine, and she had the embarrassing urge to turn around and run. She really didn’t care for creepy stuff. She dutifully headed for the house anyway, cutting through the red and blue police lights flashing rhythmically across the brick walkway. A uniformed officer was posted at the front door.
She lifted the ID badge hanging around her neck and showed it to him. “I’m your blood expert out of Scripps Memorial. Dr. Toni Parthen.” A real doctor of hematology, not a mere intern, but still a lowly Fellow. Which meant that when the San Diego Police Department needed a blood specialist, she was the one who got yanked away in the middle of watching How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days to whatever gory scene needed her scientific expertise.
The officer glanced at her badge, then down at the medical bag she was carrying, and then inevitably – she nearly sighed – his eyes landed on her boobs. The Girls were bundled up in a winter coat, nice and tight against the cold January weather, but they were of a size that defied concealment.
She cleared her throat, quashing the urge to quip, Eyes up here, pal.
“Uh … yeah, go on in.” To his credit, the officer blushed a little. “They’re waiting for you upstairs.”
She entered the house, passing through a dimly lit foyer and a deserted, well-kept living room. The stink of burned flesh was stronger in here, like a cannibal barbecue gone terribly wrong, and her esophagus tightened. God, but she hated forensics. She arrived at the bottom of a flight of stairs and stopped. Waiting for her at the top was a man with a badge on his belt and a gun in a shoulder holster.
She exhaled sharply. “Crap, not you.” The night just got worse.
Detective John Waterson arched a single brow at her, one corner of his mouth climbing upward. “I’m going to stand here and pretend I’m not insulted by that, if it’s all the same to you.”
Toni rolled her eyes. “No offense intended, Detective, but your cases stink.” Waterson and his partner, Pablo Ramirez, were on the Occult Crimes Unit, and their crime scenes always ran high on creepiness. Too high.
Waterson’s smile widened, the curve of his mouth masculine and sexy, his amazing blue-green eyes warming with amusement.
Trumpets went off in her head. And here was the real reason she didn’t like working with this man: John Waterson was hot.
Dressed in cowboy boots, blue jeans, and a dark brown long-sleeved shirt that was folded up at the cuffs to reveal strong forearms, he had the tall, athletically lean build of a swimmer or a tennis player. He had … yes, a very nice mouth, despite the fact that an unlit cigarette was dangling from his lips. He was handsome, self-assured, probably in his early 30’s, like her, and in possession of that most alluring of all qualities: intelligence. She was drawn to John in a way she’d never been with any other man. But herein lay the trouble: John was, in point of fact, a man, and she’d given up on interacting with their gender—other than professionally—a long time ago.
Sighing, she trudged up the stairs. Nothing else for it. She was here on business. A low rumble of voices was coming from somewhere, a softly crying voice. Wonderful. “All right, what am I in for?”
Waterson’s eyes da
nced. “Feeling a bit squeamish again, are we?”
Heat rose into her cheeks. She wasn’t squeamish about most things – she was a doctor, for Pete’s sake – but she hated the aforementioned creepy stuff. No doubt the result of her older brother dragging her to too many horror films when she was a kid. She narrowed her eyes on Waterson. “Last case we worked on, Detective, some cult freaks had stripped all of the skin off the corpse’s body.”
He held up a hand. “It’s nothing like that this time, I swear.” Fishing a pack of matches out of his breast pocket, he went on to explain, “A couple of bad guys climbed in through the bedroom window of the fifteen-year-old daughter and tried to snag her.” He opened the pack and tugged out a match. “Her father heard her screams, rampaged in with a shotgun, and filled one of the perps with a load of buckshot.”
She groaned softly. “Lovely.”
“Don’t worry.” He struck the match and held the flame to the tip of his cigarette. “The scene is surprisingly unbloody. That’s why you’re here.”
She plucked the cigarette out of his mouth and mashed it into a plant. “You do know that you’re the only person left in California who smokes, don’t you?” She headed down the hall and entered a room that was clearly a girl’s, and a girl who for once hadn’t gone the way of the Goth: lacy lampshades, white eyelet bedspread, posters of Taylor Swift, Taylor Lautner, and, ah, second place to Matthew McConaughey: Brad Pitt. Against the backdrop of all this innocence, the black-clad body sprawled out under the window was a grotesque stain.
Two other men were in the room. Pablo Ramirez, a Padres baseball cap perched backward on his head, and a skinny kid – okay, an adult, but one who looked fresh out of science camp for a day of dress-up in his daddy’s navy blue suit.
Waterson gestured to him. “This is Silas Thornton, CSI.”
She nodded to the CI and moved over to the corpse, stopping at its feet to –
What the hell? She’d never seen anything like this. The guy was a wreck, half a dozen bullet-sized craters in his chest, a few more peppering his thighs, and yet … there wasn’t a single drop of blood on him—not anywhere, for that matter. Odder still, the front of the guy’s black shirt was completely eaten away, the fabric of his pants nearly in the same condition, and there were holes dotting the carpet beneath him, as if something acidic had dripped off of him and onto it. Jesus, this wasn’t just an unbloody scene, it was impossibly bloodless.
The Community Series, Books 1-3 Page 1
