Sarah wasn’t sure what he had in mind but was sure that she wouldn’t mind. “I trust you, Erik. I love you, and I know that you wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. You’ve proven that already.”
“Yeah, but this is different.” His hand was in the pocket of his robe, and he wouldn’t look her in the eye.
“Just spit it out already.” She was getting nervous, too. What could he possibly want that had him so scared to tell her?
His hand slowly came out of his pocket holding a small velvet box. “This is for you.”
Sarah had never owned jewelry and couldn’t imagine what he could have gotten her, but the hopeful look in his eyes melted her heart. He wanted her to like whatever it was he’d gotten her, and she was sure that she would.
Opening the box, she froze. A stunningly beautiful diamond shone back at her.
“Sarah Gray, will you please allow me to spend the rest of my life loving you? Will you become my wife? You carry my heart and soul already, and now, I’d like for you to carry my name, as well.”
Sarah was ready to burst. Tears welled in her eyes, her lip trembled, and she let out a choked sob as she nodded her head in reply. “Yes.”
She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him close. “Erik, I love you so much. Why would you think that I wouldn’t want to be with you forever?”
A sheepish look came over him. “I was afraid that the old saying ‘ball and chain’ might make you feel tied down, and I know that you need your freedom.”
“But I am free with you. I’m free to live, laugh and love. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.” She watched as he slid the ring onto her finger before lifting her hand and placing a kiss on it.
“You up for another first?”
“Sure, why not?” Sarah laughed.
“Then let’s go tell my mom.”
They both cracked up. His mother was sure to be ecstatic over the engagement and would no doubt be after them for grandbabies in no time. Not that Sarah minded. She had a family now—a man who loved her with all of his heart and would do anything for her, his parents who treated her as if she were their own, and his brothers who accepted her without question.
Sarah was home.
About the Author
I am a wife and mother first, an author second and also hold a full-time job…because of something called “bills”. BLECH!! I’m also an avid reader and enjoy a wide variety of genres from contemporary to historical and—of course—paranormal, though I tend to stick to romance.
I write for the joy of it, and love to hear from readers, so come join me on Facebook or Twitter and let’s chat!
www.facebook.com/SerenaPettus
www.twitter.com/SerenaPettus
Wolves and Coyotes, Lions and Tigers, Bears and Hares…
PHASES
Erotic Shape-shifter Romance from
Resplendence Publishing
Taken by the Pack by Cheryl Dragon
January – Wolf Moon
Danny loves Alaska, but it doesn’t seem to love him back. The full Wolf Moon sparkles over Fairbanks, but he’s alone for those long nights. He wants to come out of the closet and date, but his frail family might implode. All he wants is the right man in his bed.
Brandon and Justin are lovers and wolf shifters native to Alaska. They’re out to protect their way of life, and sometimes that means extreme measures. When Danny’s brother proposes aerial wolf hunting, Danny enters their sights. Danny was the closet case in high school, and now, he’ll be their sex toy. The shifter pair is ready to do whatever it takes to stop the hunting and maybe add a sexy human man to their pack.
Coyote Savage by Kris Norris
February – Hunger Moon
February's full moon is rising, only this year, it's bringing a new brand of hunger...
For coyote shifters Caden and Talon Brady, the upcoming hunger moon has ignited a different kind of appetite. They've been waiting several years for a chance to court their intended mate, and now that she's finally in their sights, they'll stop at nothing to win her over. But when local livestock start disappearing, their coyote refuge is put in the hot seat, and more than just their way of life is suddenly in jeopardy.
Sheriff Rebecca Savage never planned on returning to Beckit Falls, or for falling for two handsome men. But fate seems to have different plans for her. Unfortunately not all of them are sexy and look fantastic in jeans. The local mayor is trying to run the Brady boys and their coyote refuge out of town. Nothing seems to make sense, but when she starts digging deeper, a new danger rises with the full moon—one that just might get them all killed.
Unchaste by Mia Watts
March – Chaste Moon
The mystical Portal of the Gods transports Flynn Chula, shifter and descendant of the Cahokia Indians, six hundred years in the past. Right into a tribal feud between Amaro and Koda, warriors of the empire. While Flynn finds his new circumstances impossible, Amaro and Koda know exactly what to do. Their culture dictates that shifters have to be tested, proving their place among the people--as priests. Only one high priest can rule the empire at a time, but the current apprentice reigns with blood sacrifice and fear.
As the sexual preparations begin, Koda and Amaro do their duty to rid him of any possible heterosexual leanings...by giving themselves to him wholly. Flynn, who's never wanted a woman in his life, can't believe his luck. Two hunky men can't get enough of him, and they're eager to learn all the tricks.
When the blood priest discovers the plot to overthrow him, will Flynn, Koda, and Amaro escape alive, or will more than blood be lost on the altar?
Awakening Delilah by Abigail Barnette
April – Waking Moon
When Delilah Lewis moved from Atlanta to Gwinn Close, a sanctuary for shifters in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, she knew there would be an adjustment period. She just never thought getting shot at by poachers would be a part of that adjustment. When two sexy shifters come to her rescue, things get even more complicated. Delilah is a good girl, with a good-girl upbringing, and both men make her want to be very bad...
Miguel and Darius are in a committed relationship, but once they meet Delilah, they want more.While Delilah wonders if Gwinn Close is right for her, Miguel and Darius do everything they can to convince her to stay. But secrets from their past threaten a future with the woman they both crave. And while she struggles to let go of her boring former life, both men work to bring out the wild animal in her...
Horny, Hard and Hare-y by Mia Watts
May – Hare’s Moon
It's time for the annual race, and tortoise shifter, Duncan, is finally going to catch some tail—hare shifter tail, otherwise known as Charlie. With Gibbs, their owl shifter friend, keeping an eye out overhead, they're off and running. But Charlie is as spontaneously careless as the fairytale hare and finds himself caught by local DNR officer, Ben.
The full moon is rising, and if Charlie stays collared through the Hare Moon, he'll remain an animal forever. It's up to Duncan and Gibbs to free him before time is up. But in telling their secret, will they lose Ben forever? It's a foursome waiting to happen, where Ben reconnects with a mysterious lover, and the tortoise finally catches his hare.
Summer Surrender by Bronwyn Green
June – Sun Moon
Hollis Chambers came to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to teach summer school at a small rural high school. She’d planned on hanging out on the shores of Lake Superior, taking walks in the woods and studying the wildlife. She never imagined that she’d meet one man, let alone two, to have a hot summer fling with.
Lynx shifters Daniel Cichosz and Josiah Wilder know a good thing when they see it and they’re fairly certain that the gorgeous, full-figured substitute teacher is just who they’ve been looking for. Hollis surrenders to their seduction, but how will she feel about being mated to shifters, particularly when Daniel’s brother is added to the mix?
Snared by Kris Norris
July – Thunder Moon
July’
s Thunder Moon is holding true to its name. But will the rash of lightning reveal more than just the landscape?
Veterinarian and bobcat shifter, Tayen Locke, has devoted her life to saving animals, but a rise in poaching has spurred her down another path. She’s been spending her free time in her animal form, searching the nearby forest for illegal traps. She’s well aware of the risks—she just never thought she’d end up snared by her potential mates.
Rangers Quinn Harrington and Rogan James know exactly what they want…they just don’t know how to convince Tayen it’s her. Ever since they moved to town two years ago, they’ve had their sights set on the sexy vet, who for the last six months has turned down every offer they’ve made. Though they know she’s interested, they’re losing hope she’ll ever change her mind.
But an unexpected storm changes the nature of the game. It seems Tayen’s been keeping a secret, and now that the cat’s out of the bag, literally, there’s nowhere left for Tayen to run—except straight into their arms.
Striped by Abigail Barnette
August – Red Moon
After spending much of their lives feeling like outsiders, Jason and Mitchell have finally achieved their dream in the founding of Gwinn Close, a community for shape-shifters in the wilderness of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. But the only way the community works is by staying low profile and friendly, and the new shifter in town is a toned, tattooed bad boy who doesn't want to play nice.
Sean has never put down roots and he's not sure he wants to, especially in a place like Gwinn Close, where everyone seems so happy and well-adjusted. When Jason and Mitchell offer to help tame his tiger impulses with discipline and a firm hand, Sean isn't sure he can submit sexually without losing himself completely. But how can he resist their offer when giving in feels so good?
Harvest’s Pride by Brynn Paulin
September – Harvest Moon
Hanna Herst joins rock band Harvest’s tour under the guise of doing an interview on the lead men, Kaz and Myan Ruslan, but in reality, she’s searching for her sister who disappeared from their crew. Little does she know, the disappearance and the interview are only a cover to get Hanna within Kaz and Myan’s circle.
Kaz and Myan know Hanna is their mate. They’ve spent the last year maneuvering her into their camp and she’s arrived just in time for the Harvest moon, the time when shifters in their pride must claim their mates. Now, all that remains is to convince her that she’s theirs—now and forever.
Autumn Sacrifice by Bronwyn Green
October – Blood Moon
When Brenna Alten returns home to attend her cousin’s wedding, she expects to reconnect with friends and family. She doesn’t anticipate hooking up with her adolescent crush Caleb Mahingan or his brothers. Despite a night of sizzling hot sex, Brenna believes this can’t turn into more, but Caleb has other plans for her. As Alpha of his small pack, he knows she's his mate and he doesn't intend to give her up without a fight.
Moonlight and Mustangs by Cheryl Dragon
November – Hunter’s Moon
Mustang roundups by the government are nothing new out west. When two horses turn up on Diane’s ranch, she isn’t shocked until they turn into hot men then have sex in her barn. The shifters ask for her help, but letting them stay the night turns into much more. All the extra hands help with the chores and fulfill her needs...but wild mustangs deserve to roam and Diane won’t saddle them—bareback is a much better ride!
Shifting Snows by Brynn Paulin
December – Snow Moon
When photographer, Macy Lawson, climbs Mount Elbert to take pictures, she doesn’t expect to come face to face with a snow leopard, an animal that shouldn’t be roaming the Colorado Rockies, let alone the United States. The animal charges her, but Sorin Tavian appears out of nowhere to save her. He takes her home to escape a coming blizzard and introduces her to his partner, Danel and their friends Calin and Abel.
Soon, Macy discovers Sorin prefers to share his women with these men, and they all want her. Far from home and stranded in the wilderness, she decides to take the leap, live a fantasy and try out ménage.
But Sorin has a couple secrets he hasn’t shared. He didn’t save Macy from a snow leopard. He is the snow leopard. There’s a strong possibility Macy’s his mate, and if that’s true, home will be with him and Danel, not in some far off city where leopards can’t roam free.
Also Available from
Resplendence Publishing
Finders Keepers by Lacey Thorn
New Reality Series, Book Five
Tomorrow the auctions will take place. Some women become brides, and some become nothing more than belongings who must do as they are told. Winter will have none of it. Taking the first chance of her life, she risks it all to escape, running into the desert and hoping to find something better.
When Roar, Scar, Gate, Shadow and Blade find Winter, they only plan to take her back to the safety of the settlement. But Winter isn’t going back. One way or another she will convince them there is no other option than to keep her.
Anna and the Three Generals by Suzanne Graham
Profortuna Series, Book One
Having spent the last twenty-five years devoted to science, elite bio-researcher Anna is now faced with her mandatory mating on the un-breathable planet of Profortuna. Anna’s research on how to sustain life in the bio-domes is vital, but it also makes her a target of the Open Air Society.
Convinced the Council has found the most appropriately brain-heavy men on the planet for her mates in order to perpetuate their superior intellectual genes, Anna is shocked to find three high-ranking military men waiting for her in the reception room.
Just as Anna’s sexuality is awakened by a kiss from one of her mates, terrorists from the Open Air Society attack her lab, and the three Generals act quickly to protect her. As they shuttle her to the other side of the planet, Anna comes to know her mates intimately as three men of distinction. But can they fulfill her secret wish to find old-fashioned romantic love?
Rough it Up by Emma Hillman
Grassroots Series, Book One
Alexa has been a mixie, a half-breed lioness, her whole life and is used to taking care of herself. So when she meets fellow shifter, Jay, in an airport lounge and he notices she’s in heat, she’s taken aback when he offers his help. Even with the lioness inside her urging her to get to know this perfect pure specimen better, she shoots him down.
Days later, she has to admit defeat. The mating urge is so strong, she’s slowly going crazy. Her lioness relentless, she gives in and calls him.
When he arrives at her apartment, he finds her naked and willing. Too willing. Something is definitely wrong. He just hopes he’ll have time to find out what was done to her before it’s too late…
The Hunter’s Surrender by Kaenar Langford
Maddie Graham is a bounty hunter who likes to keep a low profile. But her stellar reputation has brought her under the keen eye of the Tentalians who feel she’ll be a fitting brood mare for their king. Little do they realize that kidnapping Maddie will be the easy part. She’s far more dangerous than they thought, and it has nothing to do with her hunting skills.
King Rochar and his consort, Santara, aren’t sure what to expect with Maddie. Living on an all male planet, they’ve been taught to view women as mere vessels for future children. But they soon discover Maddie is as feisty as she is compassionate, and her presence threatens to unravel the very fabric of their civilization when they realize she means much more than they’d ever thought possible. As the moment approaches to choose their destiny, will they fall victim to their sense of duty, or will a new order rise with the ringing of the Soprac bells?
Story contains graphic scenes of m/m and m/m/f sex. No warning, only encouragement.
www.resplendencepublishing.com
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